† rock-ruby Obs.
[Cf. rock n.1 6 e.]
A species of garnet or amethyst (see quot. 1748).
| 1544 Will of Cornwaleys (Somerset Ho.), Rocke ruby. 1572–3 in Nichols Progr. Eliz. (1823) I. 323 One tablet of mother-of-perle..set with 2 rock rubyes and 2 emeraldes. 1626 Bacon Sylva §1 In like manner, Cornish Diamonds, and Rock Rubies,..are the fine Exudations of Stone. 1748 J. Hill Hist. Fossils 591 The Rock-Ruby. This is the name they very improperly give to the Garnet, when it is of a very strong but not deep red, and has a fairer cast of the blue. Ibid., The bluer Amethysts being by some [jewellers] call'd Rock Rubies. |