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Discover the true "rocks of rubies" By Bethany Waldrop Keiper "Some asked me where the rubies grew, And nothing I did say; But with my finger pointed to - The lips of Julia." -- Robert Herrick, The Rock of Rubies, and the Quarrie of Pearls So how do you take your rubies? Do you prefer them straight up, polished in a solitaire, or do you prefer something a little more mixed-up and interesting for July's birthstone? If something more colorful and unusual is what you seek, you can find the reds and pinks of rubies tucked away inside rocks that are naturally shades of green, from pale to deep. They're like rocky versions of raspberry plants. Add the colors of cream, light blue, or black to this red and green combination and the results are the rocks ruby in zoisite and ruby in fuchsite. The striking appearance and patterns of these stones have been compared to Impressionist art, with Mother Nature's hand at the easel. The two stones may seem very much alike at first glance, but when viewing several different pieces of each one, it is easy to see that the differences lie within the stones’ inclusions. It is well known that the presence of inclusions will lower the value of rubies, but in a strange twist of nature, in zoisite and fuchsite, the rubies are the inclusions. Fuchsite sometimes has further inclusions of light blue kyanite surrounding the rubies scattered within it. On the darker side, zoisite also has inclusions -- of black hornblende. The black found in the stone often appears as stripes, while the rubies, which are mostly opaque, appear as chunks. Hornblende is an amphibole, a complex silicate mineral with a crystal structure containing calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron. Ruby-zoisite, also called anyolite, was first discovered in Tanzania by von Zois. Zoisite is said to be the same mineral as tanzanite, a popular gemstone. Fuchsite is a green variety of muscovite, or mica. Muscovite gets its name from the Russian province of Muscovy, where it was used in windows instead of glass. Fuchsite can be a deep green or a delicate sea green. Whether it is dark or light, the green color is a result of chromium impurities. Ruby-zoisite and ruby-fuchsite are both relatively soft on the Mohs scale, but the rubies inside can be much harder, and cause some problems when the stone is cut. Despite that, these stones are often found carved or polished into smooth cabochons, decorative shapes, and religious figurines. The size and location of the rubies in the stones and the resulting carvings can be stunningly beautiful. Part of these stones’ energy relates to their blending of complementary colors -- red and green are opposites on the color wheel. Rubies are well known for their association with passion and amplifying emotions. Zoisite provides a calming, softening effect for ruby's fiery forces. The two combined can help provide stabilizing energy, and the ability to find a rational release from overwhelming emotions. Ruby-zoisite is also recommended for awakening the crown chakra. On the physical level, it is believed to enhance and heal all areas of the reproductive system in both men and women. In a similar way, ruby-fuchsite is recommended to help clear the mind by bringing up strong, negative emotions and finding release for them with a minimum amount of unhappiness. To help with this process, hold the stone on the heart chakra. Ruby-fuchsite is said to give emotional healing a boost. Those in unhealthy relationships are believed to benefit from the stone, as it is said to help release both souls from the bonds that hold them and allow them to pursue unique paths. Fuchsite also is believed to benefit those suffering with the physical problems of low flexibility, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and headaches.
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