mineral

Rutilated quartz crystal

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), containing rutile inclusions (TiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 (quartz); colorless transparent body with needle-like golden to dark rutile inclusions, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The specimen is a polished or shaped double-terminated point, rather than a natural crystal form.

Identified August 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites, while rutile needles grew inside it during or before quartz crystallization. Formation commonly occurred in igneous or metamorphic environments over geologic timescales; exact age depends on locality.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative mineral, lapidary material, and jewelry gemstone; clear, attractive examples are popular with collectors.

Geological facts

Rutile inclusions can form sagenitic networks, strands, or isolated needles and are often called “Venus hair” when golden. The inclusion patterns make each specimen distinctive.

Field identification & locations

Identify by testing quartz hardness, glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, and visible acicular inclusions; avoid confusing it with tourmalinated quartz, whose inclusions are typically black and thicker. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, and Switzerland.