Roger Weller, geology instructor
[email protected] copyright 2010-R.Weller
rutile crystals in quartz-3
Brazil
Rutile is titanium
oxide. One of the crystal forms that it takes is that of slender needles
(acicular)
embedded in large quartz crystals. Its color can range from yellow
to red, reddish brown to black
with a submetallic luster. More massive forms of
rutile are the major source for titanium. Highly
purified rutile (titanium
oxide) is a white pigment that is used in paint, whitening toothpastes, and
even
white-colored jelly beans.
rutile
113
Photo is copyright free only for
non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.
Specimen
courtesy of Collin Mineral Company, Inc.
Gerald and Micki Peters
3215 East Redwood Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85048-7835
(480) 759-1976
[email protected]