mineral

Rutilated Quartz (with Garnet pendant)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) inclusions

Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: Clear to milky with gold, black, or reddish needle-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal System: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs)
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: Clear to milky with gold, black, or reddish needle-like inclusions; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal System: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms)

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites when titanium dioxide crystallizes into long needles within cooling silica-rich fluids. Found in metamorphic and igneous environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and by crystal collectors for its unique aesthetic. Also used in metaphysical practices.

Geological facts

The 'needles' inside are actually crystals of Rutile. When these needles are arranged in a star pattern, it is called Star Rutilated Quartz. Ancient Greeks believed quartz was ice that had frozen so hard it could never melt.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for hair-like mineral inclusions trapped inside transparent quartz. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA (North Carolina).

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Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

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Metamorphic Rock

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mineral