Rutilated quartz is a variety of quartz (SiO₂) that contains needle-like inclusions of rutile, a titanium dioxide mineral (TiO₂). These golden, silver, or reddish strands form naturally within the quartz crystal as it grows, creating striking internal patterns. Each tumbled piece has been polished for a smooth, reflective finish.
Features:
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Composition: Silicon dioxide (quartz) with embedded rutile (titanium dioxide) inclusions.
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Appearance: Transparent to translucent quartz with fine, hair-like inclusions that can appear golden, coppery, or dark.
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Formation: Forms in hydrothermal environments where both quartz and rutile crystallize together under high temperature and pressure.
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Physical Properties: Hard (Mohs 7), with excellent durability and natural visual complexity due to the internal inclusions.
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Educational Value: Offers a compelling example of mineral inclusions, crystal growth processes, and the coexistence of multiple minerals within a single specimen.
Tumbled rutilated quartzes showcase how mineral chemistry and geologic conditions can produce intricate natural structures inside otherwise clear crystals.
