Ironsmith
2018-01-28, 03:44 AM
So, I'm working on a fantasy setting, and I wanted to have a look at a potential material for armor: ruby/sapphire.
I know, gemstone armor isn't exactly a new concept in the gaming scene (see also: Minecraft's Diamond Armor), but the more I look at it, the more bizarre kind of sense it makes.
First off, it's important to note that rubies are, for the majority of their composition, made from corundum, aka aluminium oxide (Al2O3). This is the same kind of compound used in modern-day ceramic body armor, the kind used in military engagements and that routinely stops bullets (which would be far more dangerous than the crossbow bolts or arrows found in a traditional fantasy setting).
It's also worth noting that corundum has a material density of around 4 grams per cubic centimeter, which comes out to a little over half that of steel, and does an even better job when compared to brass or bronze. Some heavier forms of steel plate armor ran around 25 kg... a comparable suit of corundum armor would then weigh in at a mere 12, maybe 15 kg (around 26-33 pounds) when all the buckles/harnesses/etc. are accounted for.
Of course, also in your typical fantasy setting, reliably shaping such a material would be difficult to do. Corundum has a melting point of over 4000 degrees celsius... a little beyond the typical blacksmith's forge, and with that kind of impact resistance, you can bet shaping it would be next to impossible by conventional methods. Instead, ruby/sapphire armors would almost certainly be magically produced, which would certainly add to the air of mystery surrounding someone wearing a gigantic gemstone into battle. And unlike adamantine, orichalcum, or mithril, it's a real material that would help add some level of credibility to the story.
Sounds way too good to be true, huh?
Well, that's kind of what I'm worried about. I'm almost certain there's some sort of major detail I've overlooked... anybody here have any idea what kind of thing that might be?
I know, gemstone armor isn't exactly a new concept in the gaming scene (see also: Minecraft's Diamond Armor), but the more I look at it, the more bizarre kind of sense it makes.
First off, it's important to note that rubies are, for the majority of their composition, made from corundum, aka aluminium oxide (Al2O3). This is the same kind of compound used in modern-day ceramic body armor, the kind used in military engagements and that routinely stops bullets (which would be far more dangerous than the crossbow bolts or arrows found in a traditional fantasy setting).
It's also worth noting that corundum has a material density of around 4 grams per cubic centimeter, which comes out to a little over half that of steel, and does an even better job when compared to brass or bronze. Some heavier forms of steel plate armor ran around 25 kg... a comparable suit of corundum armor would then weigh in at a mere 12, maybe 15 kg (around 26-33 pounds) when all the buckles/harnesses/etc. are accounted for.
Of course, also in your typical fantasy setting, reliably shaping such a material would be difficult to do. Corundum has a melting point of over 4000 degrees celsius... a little beyond the typical blacksmith's forge, and with that kind of impact resistance, you can bet shaping it would be next to impossible by conventional methods. Instead, ruby/sapphire armors would almost certainly be magically produced, which would certainly add to the air of mystery surrounding someone wearing a gigantic gemstone into battle. And unlike adamantine, orichalcum, or mithril, it's a real material that would help add some level of credibility to the story.
Sounds way too good to be true, huh?
Well, that's kind of what I'm worried about. I'm almost certain there's some sort of major detail I've overlooked... anybody here have any idea what kind of thing that might be?