After watching Ruri Rocks Episode 2, all I can say is that I wish for everyone who worked on this show to have riches far greater than gold. To see an anime treat the natural/geological world with that much reverence was something I’d never thought I’d see.
Shingo Fuji’s work as the director of this anime is truly exceptional—something most people can only dream of achieving. But enough praise, time to talk about rocks.
Ruri Rocks, Episode 2 — Where the River Flows, There’s Pyrite and Gold
It seems that Ruri convinced her mom to give her an early allowance, as she’s rocking rockhounding gear in this episode. I don’t have, and don’t want, kids, so I’m not sure what an appropriate allowance would be. But whatever Ruri received was enough to buy an ESTWING rock pick and its holster. I own the long-handled version and highly recommend it. With her new, fancy rock pick (you can find a durable $7 rock pick at any hardware store), she sets out to find gold.
In the first half of the episode, all she finds is pyrite. Honestly, I think discovering pyrite is always worth celebrating. What’s less celebratory is the feeling of having someone aggressively rub your minerals against a streak plate—I know that pain all too well. Ruri-chan could have used this as a learning experience, but instead, she fell into dragon sickness. Yet, despite her initial stubbornness, she does change her perspective when new information is introduced—something we should all aim to do.
The second half of Ruri Rocks Episode 2 features Nagi and our lively MC went panning for gold. True to Ruri no Houseki‘s storytelling style, the explanations and artwork in this scene were spot-on. However, for a reason I’ll explain shortly, I tend to steer clear of talking about gold panning and prospecting.
Nature Loves Symmetry
I’m not sure why some people believe that symmetry and visually straight lines don’t occur in nature. If you want to be precise, yes, nothing is perfectly straight or round at the microscopic level. But on a macroscopic scale, symmetry and straight lines are common. Flowers and many plants, like succulents, exhibit symmetry. In geology, columnar jointing creates striking “straight” lines.
Let me save you the Google search. Columnar jointing is when lava cools, solidifies, and then contracts. Its contractions fracture the solidified lava (or magma) into vertical, column-like joints. These vary drastically in size. They also give us some of the world’s most stunning landscapes such as the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland or Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Likewise, as Nagi explained, crystals naturally take sophisticated shapes.
We’ve seen it in the intro, but the anime hasn’t covered bismuth crystals. One look at one of those and you understand how meticulous nature can be.
Where to Find Pyrite, and Where Not to Find Gold
If, like me, you decide that pyrite is the first mineral you want to actively look for, you’re in luck. Ruri Rocks Episode 2, wasn’t exaggerating when it said pyrite is common. It can be found in all types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Wondering what those are? UwU.
Igneous rocks come from cooled lava and magma. There are two main types: intrusive (like my thoughts) and extrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks form when magma cools slowly underground. Extrusive igneous rocks form when lava cools quickly at the surface.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of sedimentary deposits (think of things like limestone, shale, and sandstone). Applying heat, pressure, or chemical reactions to sedimentary and igneous rocks transforms them into metamorphic rocks.
It’s important to know how the mineral you’re looking for forms. Knowing that makes it easier to find what you’re looking for because different types of rocks have different minerals and crystals. Ruri Rocks Episode 2 alludes to this but doesn’t cover it in detail. But that’s fine, it would be an extremely lengthy explanation.
Be careful though: like most minerals, pyrite can be dangerous under certain conditions. Oxidized pyrite decomposes into iron oxyhydroxides and sulfuric acid. These cause environmental pollution, and in high concentrations are harmful. If you’re looking for pyrite in old mines, oxidized pyrite increases the risk of dust explosions.
While I pan for gold, I generally don’t recommend the activity. Even small-scale artisanal gold panning can cause pollution. There’s also a risk of exposure to hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide, not to mention the danger of drowning. People often take unnecessary risks when panning for gold—just a foot of water can be enough to drown you if you slip and can’t get back up. If gold panning interests you, it’s important to be responsible and cautious. Until next week, ja ne!
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Keiichiro Shibuya/KADOKAWA/”Ruri’s Jewels” Production Committee
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