We typically use the term magnum opus to refer to pinnacles of artistic achievement.
His best body of work
But that Latin phrase was originally a term tossed around by alchemists, the materials scientists of medieval times.
They've got great chemistry
Specifically, magnum opus referred to the alchemical quest, believe it or not, to create the lapis philosophorum or "Philosopher's Stone, which wasn't a stone at all but a theoretical substance that would purportedly transmute lead into gold.
Box office gold
The magnum opus had four stages of creation: Nigredo, which turned the substance black; albedo, which turned it white; citrinitas, which turned it yellow; and finally rubedo, which turned the substance red. The term rubedo thus came to mean success in alchemical slang, if you can picture a bunch of alchemists standing around saying "Dude that is so rubedo."
So why are we telling you all this? Because this year Tiffany & Co., to celebrate their 175th anniversary, has created a new jeweler's metal and it's called Rubedo.
Tiffany's new RUBEDO metal, which marries the richness of gold, the brilliance of silver and the warmth of copper. Metallurgists experimented with different ratios over a long testing period until they achieved the desired color, radiant with the glow of "first light" that awakens a sense of wonder and ennobles the spirit. In addition, this unique alloy is lightweight yet strong, polishes to a smooth luster and is exceptionally flattering to the skin.
We probably could have just told you about the new metal without showing you pictures of a shirtless Tom Selleck, pre-game mock joust preparations and a poster of a movie about child wizards, but it's a Friday. In any case, you can check out some rubedo jewelry here, or hit the jump for more eye candy.
(more...)