Rutile

Real mineral · common · TiO₂

Titanium oxide occurring as needle-like crystals included in quartz, corundum, and other minerals, producing asterism and chatoyancy effects. The primary source of titanium metal and titanium dioxide pigment.

Identity

Formula

TiO₂

Chemical class

oxide

Mineral group

Cassiterite, Pyrolusite

Also known as

Titanium oxide, Sagenite (acicular inclusions in quartz)

Crystallography

Crystal system

tetragonal

Habits

prismatic, acicular, massive

Fracture

subconchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

6.5

Density

4.25 g/cm³

Luster

adamantine, metallic, submetallic

Colors

red, reddish brown, black, yellow, orange

Streak

light brown

Transparency

transparent, translucent, opaque

Geology

Origins

igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary

Host rocks

granite, schist, gneiss, alluvial deposits

Associated minerals

Quartz, Ilmenite, Zircon, Garnet

Geography

worldwide

Classification

Rarity

common

Gem quality

No

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