mineral

Rutilated Quartz

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

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Clear to smoky body with gold, red, or black needles; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Clear to smoky body with gold, red, or black needles
Luster: Vitreous

Identified March 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites where titanium-rich fluids crystallize as rutile needles within cooling silica solution. Common in ancient metamorphic environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector specimen for metaphysical or aesthetic purposes.

Geological facts

Known as 'Venus Hair Stone' or 'Cupid's Darts'; the 'needles' are actually hair-like crystals of the mineral rutile that grew before or during the quartz formation.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for fine, needle-like inclusions inside clear quartz. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. Collectors look for high clarity and dense needle 'star' patterns.

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