The name rutile comes from the Latin word rutilus or "red" because of its common color. Rutile is a common mineral in granites, pegmatites, gneisses, schists and some metamorphic limestones. Rutile is very commonly associated with quartz and often forms as slim golden needles encased in quartz called rutilated quartz.
| TiO2 |
|
| Oxide |
|
| Tetragonal |
|
| 4/m 2/m 2/m |
|
| 6-6.5 |
|
| 4.18-4.25 |
|
| {110} distinct |
|
| Uneven |
|
| Black, red, red-brown |
|
| Light brown |
|
| Adamantine, submetallic |
|
| Translucent/transparent |
|
| Acicular, massive, prismatic, granular |
|
| One of three natural forms of titanium dioxide (also anatase and brookite) |
|
| Notable Localities: |
Krägerö, Norway; Limoges, France; Switzerland; New South Wales, Australia; Queensland, Australia; Magnet Cove, Arkansas; Graves Mountain, Georgia |
| Uses: |
Coating for welding rods, alloys, electrodes, porcelain |
Specimens:
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