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What is the purpose of Rutiles?

In the SU Wanted special that aired two months ago, we were introduced to MANY new gems. And before then, we introduced to two new gems: Aquamarine and Topaz. In the Wanted Special, we were introduced to Zircons, Fluorite, Rhodonite, Padparadscha, and Rutiles. For this post, I’d like to focus on the Rutiles in specific.

We’ve learned the purpose of Zircons, they’re made to be counsels and prosecutors for gems going on trial in the court.

Fluorite and Rhodonite are fusions.

Padparadscha is supposedly a defective Sapphire.

We can easily assume the purposes of Aquamarines and Topazes from the 3 episodes they appeared in.

However, we know next to nothing about Rutiles. All we know is these two twin Rutiles, who emerged as conjoined gem twins.

So, here is my question: What are Rutiles made for? Why are they presumably mass-produced in kindergartens, and what are they sent out to do?

Well, I have a theory. First, let’s talk about rutiles as we know them in our world.

Pictured above: the best photo I could find of a real-life rutile.

Rutiles are a major mineral source of the element titanium, commonly known as a tough, powerful element on the periodic table (if i paid attention in science class). They are about 60% titanium and 40% oxygen. It ranks 6.6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Though rutiles can exist on their own, they are most commonly found as red spikes in minerals of many different types.

Rutile in quartz.

Rutile silk in sapphire.

Rutile in opal.

Rutile in peridot.

There are many other minerals rutile can be found in, but I wanted to use gems that we’re familiar with in Steven Universe.

Rutile is most commonly found in quartz.

Back to the rutile twins.

Notice their design. The lack of a nose or ears. The simple buzz cute. The full-body, simply designed uniform, with a lack of a diamond symbol.

Seems like if you fused with them, not much would change.

So…what am i getting at here?

Because rutile is so commonly found included in other minerals, and the rutiles are manufactured with such simple forms, I believe that rutiles in Steven Universe are made for the sole purpose of fusing with other gems.

“But, Cookie,” you interject. “Isn’t Homeworld AGAINST fusion?”

Yes, fusion is majorly outlawed on Homeworld.

However, it is accepted for one thing. Combat.

Rubies in particular are commonly seen fusing for the purpose of combat.

So, you have a gem like rutile, which is majorly made up of titanium. That’s great for strength and hardnes. If you fused a rutile with another gem, not much would change in the other gem’s appearance, so the resulting fusion would not be entirely different.

Rutiles seem as if they’d be great for fusing with other gems, potentially providing extra strength and hardness in battle.

It only makes sense to me they would be designed for fusing with. And plus, Rebecca and the crew pay more attention to gem meaning and geology than you may believe.

I could very well be wrong, and there could very well be another post exactly like this somewhere else on this site. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about this, and had to get it out here.