PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Chemistry: SiO 2
Composition: Silicon Dioxide
Class: tectosilicate
Crystal System: Hexagonal-Rhombohedral
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Refractive Index: 1.544-1.553
Pleochroism: weak to distinct
Luster: vitreous
Streak: white
Color: Clear to Smoke
Cleavage: none
Transparency: Good specimens are transparent
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Rutile or titanium oxide (TiO2) is a mineral that typically forms in long thin needles. Rutilated Quartz is a variety of Quartz Crystal containing impurities of Titanium Dioxide. Most varieties of transparent quartz, are valued most when they lack inclusions. But Rutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal with golden or red needles of rutile trapped inside, that create beautiful diverse patterns. Some have called it Venus’ Hair Stone. It is mostly used as a cabochon in jewelry and sometimes in carvings.
A highly sought after variety of Rutilated Quarts is Star Rutile. Star Rutile forms when Hemitite is present in the quartz. The titanium oxide crystals will radiate from the center of the Hemitite in a star like pattern. The cabochon picture on this page is a good example of Star Rutile.
CRYSTAL DESCRIPTION:
Rutile forms prismatic or needle like crystals (tetragonal system), most commonly red-brown in color, streak is pale brown, luster is adamantine to metallic,
LOCALITIES:
Rutilated quartz is found all over the world. Some of the more notable locations are Colordo, California Texas, Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Norway, Pakistan
USES:
Mineral specimens, gemstones and gemstone carvings
FACTS & HISTORY:
Lesser well known varieties of included Quartz, that form similar to rutilated quartz, are Tourmalited Quartz. Which has black or dark green Tourmaline crystals, Actinolite or Grass Quartz. Which exhibits bright green actinolite crystals, that really look like grass and Dendritic Quartz. Which has brown to black iron dendrites, that appear to be plants or ferns growing inside the stone.
Rutile is known to cause the stars in ruby and sapphire, and will also form in topaz and tourmaline, Today, the vast majority of Rutilated Quartz is mined in Brazil, but it is found in most of the major gem producing nations.