What Is Ruby Quartz?

Ruby Quartz

• Ruby quartz, contrary to its designation, is not actually a ruby. Though It does derive its name from the stone's ruby-red color, ruby quartz is not always pure red. It appears in a variety of red hues and may also contain veins of many different colors, including white, black, brown and mauve. The stone, which is mined in Africa, is typically used for beads that are used to make bracelets, pendants, necklaces and rings. Ruby quartz can be somewhat fragile, especially in larger sizes. Thus, smaller pieces are typically used in jewelry.

Synthetic Gems

• Due to both the rareness and fragility of ruby quartz, synthetic ruby quartz is widely used in jewelry. These man-made stones mimic the color and look of natural ruby quartz, but are less expensive. In addition to being more durable than natural ruby quartz, the man-made stones are available in an array of shapes and sizes, including ovals, rectangles and carved roses. Jewelry supply retailers and craft stores offer synthetic ruby quartz beads that can be used in most types of jewelry.

X-Men

• In Marvel's "X-Men" comic book series and the motion-picture series based on the comics, mutant Scott Summers is known as Cyclops, due to the destructive laser beams that shoot out of his eyes whenever he opens them. The only substance that can block these rays is a fictional mineral called ruby quartz. As a result, Cyclops wears a special visor made of ruby quartz that blocks these beams while allowing him to keep his eyes open. By lifting the visor, he can use the beams as a weapon. In addition to the visor, Cyclops also controls his power with a pair of sunglasses equipped with ruby quartz lenses.

Sunglasses

• In the 2000 film "X Men," Scott Summers/Cyclops (played by actor James Marsden) wears a pair of Oakley Juliet sunglasses outfitted with red lenses that, in the film, are made from ruby quartz. Although Oakley doesn't sell a replica of this item, a company called Exovista does sell red lenses that mimic the ruby quartz lenses in the film. These lenses will fit Oakley's Juliet model of sunglasses. According to the manufacturer, this color took years to develop and remains difficult to manufacture. The lenses are sold in a kit that also inlucdes a lens-replacement screwdriver that allows the purchaser to safely remove the original lenses and replace them with the red Exovista lenses.