Rutilated Quartz

In Rutilated Quartz, the arrangement of rutile crystals makes each gem a unique natural work of art. Gorgeous jewelry and ornamental pieces have been created over time with Rutilated Quartz crystals. Rutilated Quartz is also known as Venus Hair stone or Angel Hair, and it is made of clear quartz with needle-like rutile structures inside. In addition to clear quartz, a rarer smoky rutilated quartz can also be found. Rutile takes its name from the Latin word rutilus, which means “red.” Golden rutilated quartz was discovered by miners back in the 1940s in the mountains of Serra da Mangabeira, Brazil. Initially, it was discarded as any quartz that had inclusions, but through time it became appreciated for its beauty.

Formation

Rutile is a titanium oxide crystal commonly found in metamorphic rocks in Brazil and Madagascar. Besides igneous rocks, rutile is also found as an accessory mineral in volcanic rocks with deep sources as well as in deeper-formed plutonic igneous rocks. Its crystals are usually long and needle shaped. Sometimes they are found in groups of six needles growing from a hexagonal base. Titanium is usually mined from rutile. Quartz is a very common hydrothermal silica mineral. Minerals such as quartz usually form in cracks or spaces of host rock. Generally, rutile crystals found in rutilated quartz form in cavities that provide space for them to grow into long needles. Quartz forms around them and incorporates these needles of rutile. Rutile inclusions in quartz may also result from metamorphism, however most of the rutilated quartz is formed through hydrothermal processes.

Properties

A typical Rutilated Quartz specimen contains yellow inclusions of rutile in hair-like or needle-like pattern. Rutile may be mixed with iron oxide. There may be random red needles when the rutile iron oxide concentration is high. Darker colors may be associated with lower content. Inclusions can be thin or dense, or a mixture of the two. In some cases, they are parallel to each other and, in others, they intersect. The inclusions in each rutilated quartz stone are unique. The surface of Rutilated Quartz is usually pitted. On the Mohs hardness scale, it has a hardness of 6.

Symbolism

Amplification. Element: Storm

Legends

The Vikings attributed this stone to the goddess Freia. As per legend, the goddesses’ hair was sealed in stone.