Enter our Virtual Gallery of Rutile Mineral Specimens

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Rutile: Mineral Information Page

See also our Rutilated Quartz information page

Links To Rutile Information Topics On This Page:
Rutile Items in our VIRTUAL GALLERY
Physical Properties
Occurance and Diagnostic Features
History and Uses
Metaphysical Properties

RUTILE ITEMS IN OUR VIRTUAL GALLERY:
(Select any of these links to enter our Virtual Gallery)

• Rutile Mineral Specimens and Rutile Crystals
  
• Rutilated Quartz Crystals and Rutile in Quartz Mineral Specimens
  
• Rutilated Quartz Spheres
  
• Rutile in Quartz Crystals (polished)
  
• Rutilated Quartz Gems
  
• Rutilated Quartz Facet Rough
  
• Rutilated Quartz Rough
  
• Spectacular Rutile & Rutilated Quartz Rare Collector Quality Items
  
• Handcrafted Rutile in Quartz Crystal Jewelry
  (rutilated quartz jewelry)
  

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Rutile Chemical composition: TiO₂
• Class: oxides
• Crystal system: tetragonal; 4/m2/m2/m
• Crystal habit: commonly occurs as euhedral prismatic crystals with square or octagonal basal sections and with vertical striations on prism faces. Dipyramidal terminations are common. Also occurs as slender acicular crystals in quartz, micas and corundum.
• Twinning: frequently twinned on {011} resulting in varied forms ranging from simple (elbow shaped) to cyclic (sixlings and eightlings) to polysynthetic (rare). Glide twinning also occurs on {092}, and in rare cases simple contact twins have formed on {031}.
• Index of refraction: 2.60 to 2.90
• Birefringence: maximum (0.285-0.296)
• Pleochroism: weak to moderate
• Hardness: 6 to 6.5, brittle
• Color: red, brown, or black, rarely yellow, gold, green, pink, or violet
• Luster: adamantine to sub-metalic
• Transparency: opaque to translucent, may be transparent
• Cleavage: prismatic cleavage distinct on {110} and indistinct on {100}, and poor pyramidal cleavage on {111}
• Fracture: uneven, brittle
• Streak: pale brown

OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

Rutile (TiO₂) occurs in granitic rocks, pegmatites, quartz veins, mica schists and gneisses. It also is found in in metamorphic limestones, amphibolites and dolomites. Rutile often occurs as fine acicular crystals in quartz (see rutilated quartz information), micas and corundum. Rutile is often found in considerable quantities in black sands associated with magnetite, ilmenite, zircon and monazite.

Rutilated is usually recognized by its adamantine luster, red color, and crystal habit. In quartz and micas it is characterized by its needle-like form.

Return to the Index of Rutile Information Topics

HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND USES

The name rutile comes from the Latin word rutilus meaning red.

Titanium derived from rutile is used in metal alloys, for electrodes in arc lights and as a pigment in paint, porcelain and false teeth.

The astrological signs of rutile are Gemini and Taurus.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Rutile is said to make one more forgiving toward both oneself and others, and to give a general sense of tranquility and order. It is also said to stimulate one's problem solving capabilities by providing a more in-depth understanding of the details involved.

Rutile is said to help strengthen the immune system and to help in the treatment of pulmonary and circulatory disorders.

For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.

This is the end of our Rutile Quartz Information page.