Rutile Crystals and Uses

Rutile crystals

Rutile is a common golden or reddish coloured titanium oxide mineral that occurs in a variety of crystalline forms, shown below in the form of long needle-like crystals. These needle-like crystals can penetrate other minerals such as quartz, amethyst and hematite. It is known for its inclusion in other gemstones such as rutile quartz. It has a refractive index of 2.62-2.90, one of the highest refractive index values of any crystal. Appearance is lustrous, transparent to opaque, showing weak to strong dichroic shades of brown, red, yellow, and green; density 4.20-4.30 (4.20-4.40 with iron, 4.20-5.60 with tantalum); Mohs hardness: 6-6.5, conical or irregularly fractured; non-luminous, sometimes with floating colours.

Uses of Rutile

Rutile is used in industry as a white pigment in paints, paper, plastics, etc.; it is also used as an ingredient in sunscreens, in refractory ceramics, in titanium metal fabrication, in polarising optics research, and in welding electrode coverings. Commercially, it is made into jewellery as a rare gemstone and is used as the zodiacal gemstone for Gemini and Taurus. Rutile inclusions are usually needle-like crystals or microscopic fibres. These inclusions may point in multiple directions or form dense bundles, leading to optical phenomena. It is popular with people at home and abroad.