The Mineral cuprite

Cuprite is named for the Latin cuprum, "copper", in allusion to its copper content. It can form both as bright transparent red crystals, and as lustrous, submetallic opaque crystals. Even the opaque form will have slightly red edges and slight transparency upon back-lighting. Cuprite is often associated together with Native Copper in copper deposits, and frequently forms as an encrusting reddish coating over the Copper. Malachite is known to fully or partially coat a layer or pseudomorph over Cuprite, forming an interestingly shaped and a sometimes sparkling green interesting mineral form.

Chemical Formula Cu2O Composition Color Streak Hardness Crystal System 3D Crystal Atlas
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Copper oxide Bright-red, maroon, brownish-red, dark red, purplish-red, reddishblack, dark gray Brownish-red 3.5 - 4 Isometric

Crystal Forms and Aggregates

Usually in octahedral crystals or in groups of octahedral crystals, sometimes with modified cubic crystal edges. Less commonly cubic or in cubic clusters. Rarely in dodecahedral or modified dodecahedral form. Sometimes twinned as penetration twins, and occasionally in hopper growths. Also as masses of tiny elongated needles, capillary, fibrous, radiating, and massive. Commonly in a thin or encrusting coating upon Native Copper crystals. Crystals are often striated or have growth layers or patterns. Translucent to opaque 6.1 Adamantine or submetallic 3, all directions Uneven Brittle Oxides; Simple Oxides Crystal shape, color and luster, and occurence in copper deposits. As a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone in hydrothermal copper-

Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity In Group Striking Features Environment

bearing replacement deposits. Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Cuprite ON EBAY 2 2 1

VARIETIES

Chalcotrichite - Variety of Cuprite composed of dense, hair-like or needle-like fibers.

USES Cuprite is an important collectors mineral, and is a minor ore of copper.

NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES Some of the most outstanding lustrous dark red octahedral Cuprite crystals and groupings come from Kolwezi, Katanga (Shaba), Congo (Zare). Exceptionally large crystals, often coated with a shiny green coating of Malachite, are well-known from Ogonja, Seeis, Namibia; and a classic locality for fine Cuprite is Tsumeb, Namibia. A relatively new Cuprite find producing outstanding lustrous dark gray octahedral crystal groupings is the Poteryaevskoe Mine, Rubtsovsk, Altai, Russia. Cuprite crystals from this locality has become extremely popular among collectors. Fine sharp and lustrous octahedral Cuprite come from Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan. In China, well-formed crystals and the Chalcocitrite variety have come from the Fengjiashan Mine, Daye, Hubei Province; and the Chengmenshan Mine, Jiurui, Jiangxi Province. Bright cherry-red Cuprite crystals are well-known from the Red Dome Mine, Chillagoe, Queensland, Australia. Cornwall, England, is a classic producer, and this includes several localities in the Camborne/Redruth/St Day District; as well as Wheal Phoenix and Caradon, Linkinhorne, Liskeard District. In France, two noteworthy occurrences are Chessy, Rhne (especially noted for the Malachite pseudomorphs; and the Le Moulinal Mine, Paulinet. In the U.S., excellent Cuprite specimens have come from many of the important copper deposits of Arizona, with the most notable and classic being Bisbee, Cochise Co. Other noteworthy Arizona localities are Ray, Pinal Co., Arizona; and the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima Co.

COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS Copper, Malachite, Calcite, Chrysocolla, Limonite DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS Spinel - Much greater in hardness, has white streak. Sphalerite - Different crystal habits and mode of occurrence. Rutile - Greater hardness and different crystal forms.

The Mineral ice

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Although many people do not think about Ice as a mineral, it is in fact a mineral just as much as Quartz is. It is a naturally occurring substance with a defined chemical formula and crystal structure, thus making it a legitimate mineral. The only consideration not to consider it a mineral is the fact that it is not stable at room temperature. All Ice is colorless, unless impure. Flaws and cracks cause it to be white. Snow is colorless, but the reflections of its crystal sides cause it to look white. Snow has a most interesting crystal form. Each one forms with hexagonal shapes, often with intriguing and interesting shapes. No two Snow crystals are alike. Snow crystals cling together to form snowflakes. Hailstones are formed in thunderclouds, where small water particles are tossed about from the wind, accumulating layers of Ice. When the Hailstones get heavy and can no longer remain suspended in a cloud, they fall to the earth. Hailstones up to 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter have fallen in certain regions. Glaciers are formed when snow fails to melt and accumulates, and eventually starts "flowing" downhill like a river. When a moving glacier reaches a body of water, it forms Icebergs, or floating "mountains" of compressed snow.

Chemical Formula H2O Composition Color Streak Hardness Crystal System Crystal Forms and Aggregates Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Hydrogen oxide. May be impure. Colorless, white, gray, brown. The actual color of pure Ice is colorless with a slight blue tinge. White 1.5 Hexagonal Massive, stalactitic, stalagmitic, crusty, and in fibrous veins. Also as snow in unique and complex hexagonal snowflakes. Transparent to translucent 0.9 Vitreous None Conchoidal to uneven Brittle

Other ID Marks

1) Cold. 2) Melts at 32 F (0 C), transforming into water. 3) Floats in water. Melts at 32 F (0 C) Oxides; Hydroxides Floats in water and melts at 32 F (0 C) 1 1 1

Complex Tests In Group Striking Features Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Ice ON EBAY

VARIETIES

Frazil - Spongy mass of Ice formed in flowing streams.

Frost - Dew that freezes and forms crystals of Ice.

Glacier - Moving mass of compressed snow and Ice that flows down a mountain.

Glaze - Coating of Ice over other material. Glaze is formed during freezing rain storms, when the ice forms a sparkling layer over trees, telephone wires, etc.

Hailstone - Rounded pellet of Ice containing alternating layers of snow and solid ice.

Iceberg - Mountain of solid Ice that breaks away from a landmass and floats in the ocean. Iceberg masses are 9/10ths below the water.

Icicle - Stalactite of Ice.

Snow - Form of Ice that accumulates as non-liquid precipitation.

Snowflake - Individual snow crystal. Forms as in small, perfect, hexagonal crystals. POLYMORPHS Water

DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS There are no minerals similar to Ice.

Water

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Water is not classified as a mineral, since it lacks a crystal structure being that it is in a liquid form. Scientifically it can be classified as a mineraloid. Many scientific groups and references, including the acclaimed Dana's System of Mineralogy, categorize some mineraloids, such as Opal and Mercury, together with the "true" minerals. However, virtually all mineral reference guides, including Dana's, exclude water from being classified as a mineral. We agree that it shouldn't be listed together with the minerals, nevertheless, we have included it in thus guide just for the purpose of delineating its properties so that it can be compared to the true minerals. (When water solidifies and turns into Ice, however, it is considered a mineral by all accounts.) Water and Mercury are the only two natural substances with a definitive chemical formula that occur in a liquid state at normal temperatures. Water covers more than of the earth's surface, and is the most common and vital substance. It is a major solvent, dissolving more substances than any other liquid. For this reason, water is almost always impure.

Chemical Formula H2O Composition Color Hydrogen oxide. Almost always impure, usually with salt. Colorless, green, gray, brown. Reflection of the sky give large bodies of water a sky-blue color. The actual color of pure water is colorless with a slight blue tinge. 0 Amorphous Water is an amorphous without any crystalline form. Transparent to translucent 1 Vitreous 1) Occurs in a liquid state. 2) Freezes at 32 F (0 C) and boils at 212 F (100 C). 3) When salt impurities are present, water is an electrical conductor. Water is unique in that instead of contracting when it solidifies, like almost all other matter, it expands upon freezing, and reaches its maximum density at 39 F (4 C). Antimony also exhibits this strange property. Oxides; Hydroxides Liquid state Water occurs in large and small bodies still bodies of water (oceans, lakes, ponds, swamps), in moving streams and rivers, as raindrops, in puddles, as dew droplets, etc. 1 1 1

Streak Hardness Crystal System Crystal Forms and Aggregates Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Other ID Marks

Complex Tests

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Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Water ON EBAY

OTHER NAMES H2O

Hydrogen dioxide VARIETIES

Freshwater - Water without salt impurities.

Saltwater - Water mixed with salt, forming oceans, seas, and salt lakes.

Seawater - Synonym of Saltwater (above) POLYMORPHS Ice USES Water is the fiber of all life, and there is no physical substance more important than water.

The Mineral zincite

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Zincite is a rare mineral that is insignificant from all but one region in the world. Its bright orange color is distinctive, as well as its mineral association and habits. The striking color is caused by various impurities, as pure synthetic Zincite is colorless. Zincite is often grown together and admixed with Franklinite, and often forms as spots together with the Franklinite on a white Calcite matrix. Although Zincite does not fluoresce, its Willemite and Calcite associations are highly fluorescent. Synthetic Zincite has been artificially produced from industrial operations and laboratory production, and this material is very aesthetic and widely available on the mineral market.

Chemical Formula ZnO Composition Variable Formula Color Zinc oxide, almost always with small amounts of manganese and iron (Zn,Mn,Fe)O Deep orange-red, bright orange, yellowish-orange, dark brownish-red

Streak Hardness Crystal System 3D Crystal Atlas

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Orange yellow 4 Hexagonal

Crystal Forms and Aggregates

Crystals of Zincite are rare. When they do occur, they are in small pyramidal hexagonal crystals with a pointed termination on one end and flattened base on the other end. They are usually associated together within massive or grainy Zincite, and are crudely formed. Well-formed crystals are extremely uncommon. Most often massive, encrusting, and grainy. Translucent. Rarely transparent. 5.4 - 5.7 Adamantine to resinous 1,1; Also exhibits basal parting. Conchoidal to uneven Brittle Lacks fluorescence Oxides; Simple Oxides Color, mineral association, and locality In zinc-rich zones of metamorphosed marble. 3 3 2

Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Other ID Marks In Group Striking Features Environment Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Zincite ON EBAY

USES Zincite was an important ore of zinc among the zinc ore bodies in the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines when those mines were in operation. Today zincite is used as a collector's mineral.

NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES Zincite has a few worldwide localities where it occurs naturally in microscopic grains, and it has been synthetically produced from industrial smelter operations in several parts of the world, especially Poland, which produced specimens that have become widely available on the collector's market. The only significant producers of naturally occurring Zincite are the world-famous zinc mines at Franklin and nearby Ogdensburg (Sterling Hill), Sussex Co., New Jersey.

COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS Calcite, Franklinite, Willemite, Tephroite DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS The mineral association and locality are sufficient to distinguish Zincite from any other similarly colored minerals.

The Mineral corundum

2 Comments

Corundum is best known for its gem varieties, Ruby and Sapphire. Ruby and Sapphire are scientifically the same mineral but just different colors. Ruby is the red variety, and Sapphire is the variety that encompasses all other colors, although the most popular and valued color of Sapphire is blue. Sapphire is also only used to describe the gem variety, otherwise it is simply called Corundum. Corundum is a very hard, tough, and stable mineral. For all practical purposes, it is the hardest mineral after Diamond, making it the second hardest mineral. It is also unaffected by acids and most environments. Translucent brown Corundum and Emery are the most common forms of Corundum. These are fairly common forms, and due to their great hardness and prevalence are the most favorable abrasives. The industrial term "emery" describing Corundum abrasives is derived from the variety Emery which is mined specifically for its use as an abrasive. Erosion may cause Emery to crumble and form sand, which may be called "black sands". Corundum is easily synthesized, and many Corundum abrasives are synthetic. Synthetic gems are also easily created by adding traces of certain color producing elements to the Corundum solution, and letting the solution solidify into a boule, or synthetic, unprocessed "mineral" with a particular shape. This process is called the Verneuil process. Natural Ruby and Sapphire gemstones may have their color artificially enhanced or deepened through heat treatment when used as gems. Some dark blue stones from certain localities may also be made a bright blue desirable color.

Chemical Formula Al2O3 Composition Color Aluminum oxide Many colors, including blue, red, violet, pink, green, yellow, orange, gray, white, colorless, and black. Occasionally also multicolored or banded. White 9

Streak Hardness

Crystal System 3D Crystal Atlas

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Hexagonal

Crystal Forms and Aggregates

Crystals occur as hexagonally shaped prismatic and tabular crystals, as well as bipyramidal hexagons that are wider in the center and taper thinly on the ends. Crystals are usually elongated and striated crosswise, and sometimes occurs in thin plates. Crystals are commonly smooth or rounded on the edges due to alluvial action. Also occurs as barrel-shaped hexagonal crystals, modified octahedrons, massive, and as rounded, waterworn alluvial pebbles. Crystals are sometimes striated or etched. Transparent to opaque 3.9 - 4.1 Vitreous to adamantine None, but commonly exhibits rhombohedral and basal parting Uneven Brittle 1) Some Corundum fluoresces orange, yellow, or red in shortwave ultraviolet light. 2) Some Corundum istriboluminescent. Insoluble in acids Oxides; Simple Oxides Immense hardness, high specific gravity, crystal shape In altered metamorphic rocks such as marble and hornfels, in Nepheline syenite pegmatites, and in placer deposits. 1 2 1

Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Other ID Marks

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Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3)

Corundum ON EBAY

VARIETIES

Emery - Black, massive variety of Corundum, with color caused by mixture of Magnetite, Hematite, and Spinel.

Padparadschah - Orange-pink gem variety of Sapphire. Padparadschah is a very rare and sought after variety.

Ruby - Pink to red variety of Corundum. See the gemstone section on Ruby for complete details.

Sapphire - Sapphire refers to all gem varieties of Corundum, excluding the red variety of Corundum which is classified as Ruby. In the gem trade, it refers specifically to the blue gem variety of Corundum, unless a color is mentioned as a prefix to sapphire (i.e. Green Sapphire). Sapphire with a color other than blue is often called a "fancy" in the gem trade. See the gemstone section on Sapphire for complete details.

Star Ruby - Ruby displaying asterism in the form of a six-rayed star.

Star Sapphire - Sapphire displaying asterism in the form of a six-rayed star.

Ultralite - Incorrect term in the gem trade occasionally used to describe blue Sapphire. USES Ruby and Sapphire are the most famous gemstones after Diamond. They have been mined for thousands of years and were regarded as the most respectable gemstones. They have retained

their high value throughout the centuries and are continuously and vigorously mined. Not only are the Red rubies and blue Sapphires mined as gemstones, but other colors such as orange, yellow, and green are also becoming more and more popular in gemstone use. Corundum has some electrical uses, and non gem material, such as Emery, is used as an abrasive because of its high hardness. The gemstone applications of the Corundum varieties are discussed in greater detail in their own dedicated gemstones pages. Make sure to also see the gemstone section on Ruby and Sapphire.

NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES The area of Mogok, Burma (Myanmar) is the source of some of the best gem-quality Ruby. Another significant Burmese deposit is Mong Hsu, which is currently a major Ruby producer, though its color isn't as fine as the Mogok material. Sri Lanka, especially the area of Ratnapura, Bibile, and Rakwana, is an excellent source of gem quality Corundum of all colors. The finest and largest crystallized specimens and aggregates of gem-quality Sapphire are from Sri Lanka. Ruby with a brownish tint comes from Thailand, in the Chantaburi District. Fine gem Ruby and Sapphire comes from Luc Yen, Yenbai Province, Vietnam; the Hunza Valley, Gilgit, Pakistan; and Jegdalek, Sorobi District, Afghanistan. Gem quality Sapphire is well-known at Pailin, Cambodia. Translucent to opaque Ruby, sometimes with asterism, is very abundant at Mysore (Mysuru) and Subramanium, in Karnataka, India. Africa has recently become a significant producer of Corundum, especially in Madagascar, where it is found in the Zazafotsy Quarry, Ambahatraso; and in Andranondambo, Amboasary District. A famous African locality in which opaque rubies are found in green Zoisite is is in Longido, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Another important Tanzanian Ruby mine is Winza, in Arusha. In the U.S., the Yogo Gulch in Judith Basin Co. has produced choice, deep blue Sapphire crystals. Not far from the Yogo Gulch, near Helena, waterworn Sapphires stones are found in the Missouri River throughout its length in Lewis and Clark County. Montana is also the claim to a few other localities: the Gallatin Gateway and Salesville, Gallatin Co.; Rock Creek, Granite Co.; and Cottonwood Creek, Deer Lodge Co. In California, nice Corundum crystals were found in Cascade Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Co. A well known Ruby locality is the Cowee Creek District, Macon Co., North Carolina, especially the area of Franklin. A few scattered finds were in the Limecrest Quarry, Sparta and the Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Large deposits of Emery were once worked near Peekskill, Westchester Co., New York; and Chester, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. An important Canadian occurrence is the Burgess Mine, Bancroft, Hastings Co., Ontario. COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS Calcite, Albite, Muscovite, Spinel, Almandine, Kyanite DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS Can be confused with many minerals, particularly the silicates, but its high hardness and

specific gravity can easily distinguish it from any mineral.

The Mineral hematite

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Hematite is one of the most common minerals. The color of most red and brown rock, such as sandstone, is caused by small amounts of Hematite. It is also be responsible for the red color of many minerals such as Garnet, Spinel, and to some extent, Ruby. Non-crystalline forms of Hematite may be transformations of the mineral Limonite that lost water, possibly due to heat.

Chemical Formula Fe2O3 Composition Variable Formula Color Iron oxide. May contain slight amounts of titanium. (Fe,Ti)2O3 Black, gray to silver gray, brown to reddish brown, red. Some specimens are iridescent, and other are multicolored or banded gray and dark red. Red to reddish brown 5-6 Hexagonal

Streak Hardness Crystal System 3D Crystal Atlas

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Crystal Forms and Aggregates

Crystals occurs in thin plates, as well as bundles of small micaceous plates, and in thin splinters. Most commonly massive, mammilary, botryoidal, reniform, oolitic, stalactitic, and radiating. Scalenohedral and rhombohedral crystals occur, although infrequently, and dendritic and rosette forms are also found. Hematite may also form as a pseudomorph of other minerals, especially as octahedral crystals of Magnetite. Opaque 4.9 - 5.3 Metallic to dull None, but occasionally exhibits rhombohedral and basal parting. Uneven Brittle Hematite is paramagnetic, meaning it is slightly attracted to magnetic fields. Becomes strongly magnetic when heated.

Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity Other ID Marks

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Oxides; Simple Oxides Reddish streak, hardness, crystal habits, and paramagnetism Occurs in all different sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic environments. 1 1 1

Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Hematite ON EBAY

OTHER NAMES Red Iron Ore VARIETIES

Bloodstone - Dark green to greenish blue variety of Chalcedony speckled with red or brown spots. (May also refer to Hematite with red or brown spots.)

Iron Rose - Disorganized, flat, hexagonal plates of Hematite that resembles a rose in its crystal formation.

Kidney Ore - Globular, botryoidal, reniform and mammilary forms of Hematite.

Martite - Hematite pseudomorph after Magnetite.

Paint Ore

- Massive red, brown, or reddish brown form of Hematite.

Rainbow Hematite - Iridescent Hematite displaying a play of colors.

Specularite - Micaceous Hematite with small, intergrown, hexagonal plates that produce a glistening effect when rotated.

Titano-hematite - Titanium rich variety of Hematite. USES Hematite is the principle ore of iron. Huge quantities are mined throughout the world for industrial production. It is the source for roughly 90 percent of all iron mined in the United States. Hematite was largely used in the past as a red and brown pigment, although nowadays cheaper sources have been substituted. Well formed Hematite crystals are popular among mineral collectors, and tumbled, highly lustrous Hematite from Brazil makes a very popular, inexpensive specimen for amateur collectors. Hematite is also used as a minor gemstone. It is cut and polished into cabochons for jewelry and ornaments, fashioned into beads for bracelets and necklaces, and carved into ornamental figures. NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES Hematite has numerous localities, and therefore, only the finest will be mentioned. Large and thick crystals have been found in Minas Gerais, Brazil, particularly at Antonio Pereira, Congonhas de Campo, Jaguaracu, and Itabira. Lustrous plates with flat or tabular crystals come from Novo Horizonte and Brumado, Bahia, Brazil. Most of the tumbled, polished Hematite comes from Minas Gerais. Cumberland, in Cumbria, England, is a major source of specimens, especially the Specularite variety, as well as much of the globular and stalactitic specimens. Another classic occurrence is Rio Marina, on the island of Elba, Italy. Morocco has also been a recent producer of fine collectible Hematite, with special note on Nador in the Nador Province, where excellent crystals and clusters have been found. The Wessels Mine in Hotazel, in the Kalahari manganese fields of South Africa has produced outstanding lustrous crystals. In the U.S., enormous Hematite deposits exists throughout the western area of Lake Superior,

especially in the Menominee iron range, Iron Co., Michigan. "Iron Roses" occur in the Thomas Range in Utah, as well as in numerous localities in Arizona, namely Aztec Peak, Gila Co.; Bouse, Yuma Co.; and in the Buckskin Mountains in La Paz Co. A classic New York locality is Chub Lake, St. Lawrence Co. COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS Quartz, Calcite, Albite, Biotite, Barite, Pyrite, Magnesite, Magnetite DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS There are dozens of minerals that resemble Hematite in looks, but Hematite's red streak is a distinguishing property. Lepidocrocite, which has a red streak like Hematite, is softer (4 5), and is translucent in thin splinters, and Goethite is less lustrous.

The Mineral rutile

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Rutile is a mineral that comes in a surprising contrast of distinct habits and colors, making it a fascinating mineral. Rutile has multiple unique crystal forms as well as several telltale colors, styles, and associations. It ranges from mirror-like metallic lustered crystals, to dark reddish submetallic crystals, to bright golden-yellow needles. Even the opaque metallic-looking forms are somewhat translucent on edge under backlighting, with a dark red translucent tinge. Rutile is well known for its habit of forming needle-like inclusions within other minerals, especially Quartz, in the form of long and slender yellow straw-like crystals. These inclusions can range from scattered needles to dense parallel fibers within a host mineral. Rutile is often the inclusion mineral responsible for the asterism effect on some gemstones such as Star Sapphire. A wellknown form of Rutile is in the form of dense golden-yellow needles of Quartz included within transparent, colorless Quartz. This interesting combination is known as Rutilated Quartz, and is used both as a collectors mineral and gemstone. Rutile is the most common form of titanium dioxide. Rarer polymorphs include Brookite and Anatase, both which also form unique and distinctive crystals. The name Rutile is derived from the Latin "Rutilus", in reference to a common color habit of this mineral.

Chemical Formula TiO2 Composition Titanium dioxide, often with iron, occasionally with some minor niobium or tantalum. (Ti,Fe)O2 Dark-red, metallic-gray, brownish-red, orange-red, reddish-black, golden-yellow, straw yellow White to light brown 6 - 6.5 Tetragonal

Variable Formula Color Streak Hardness Crystal System 3D Crystal Atlas

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Crystal Forms and Aggregates

As long and slender, straight prismatic crystals, often deeply striated and with steep complex terminations. Also in short prismatic and thick stubby crystals. Twinning is very common, with various forms including sixlings, eightlings (both in the form of endemic rutile twins), knee-shaped twins, and v-shaped twins. Often in capillary needles and dense reticulated forms, in acicular habit, in delicate snowflake-like aggregates, and in star-shaped formations of dense needle groupings. Thin acicular crystals and needles are commonly frozen within other minerals, especially Quartz. May also be grainy, massive, in veins, and in rounded waterworn pebbles.

Transparency Specific Gravity Luster Cleavage Fracture Tenacity In Group Striking Features Environment

Translucent to opaque. Often transparent on thin edges and in backlighting. 4.2 - 4.3 Adamantine, submetallic 2,2;3,1 Uneven Brittle Oxides; Simple Oxides Color, crystal habits, luster, and high specific gravity. Rutile comes in several different environments, including plutonic and intrusive igneous rocks and granites, metamorphic gneiss and schists, carbonatites, regional metamorphic schists, and hydrothermal replacement deposits (including veins in alpine cavities). Also in detrital river and beach deposits. 2 2 1

Popularity (1-4) Prevalence (1-3) Demand (1-3) Rutile ON EBAY

VARIETIES

Ilmenorutile - Niobium bearing variety of Rutile.

Rutilated Quartz - Quartz with golden yellow, needle-like Rutile inclusions.

Sagenite - Acicular, reticulated, or capillary form of Rutile. See also Sagenite Agate.

Struverite - Tantalum bearing variety of Rutile. Named after Italian mineralogist Giovanni Strver (1842-1915), a professor at the University of Rome.

Venus Hairstone - Capillary or dense acicular, hairlike sprays of Rutile. POLYMORPHS Brookite Anatase

USES Rutile is the most important ore of the element titanium. It is also industrially used as a ceramic glaze, pigment, and in optical equipment. It is also a very important collectors mineral. Rutilated Quartz is used as a gemstone and as an ornamental stone.

NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES Rutile is found in a host of different mineral deposits in hundreds of localities worldwide, but its occurrence is usually limited to small and isolated crystals. Several deposits are famous for producing excellent crystals; the most significant will be mentioned here. Switzerland produces classic specimens in many of the mountainous alpine environments. These localities include the Binn Valley, Wallis (especially at the Lengenbach Quarry and at

Lerchentini); the St. Gotthard pass, Ticino; and the Cavradi gorge, Curnera Valley, Grisons. Another important alpine European occurrence is the Vizze Valley, Bolzano, Italy. The varieties Struverite and Ilmenorutile are found in large crystals in the Madagascar pegmatites at Antsirabe and Betafo, Antananarivo Province. Lustrous Rutile crystals come from Ribaue, in the Alto Ligonha pegmatite, Mozambique. Brazil has several outstanding Rutile occurrences, including those that contain the most prolific Rutilated Quartz sources. The most exceptional of the Brazilian localities is Novo Horizonte (formerly Ibitiara), Bahia, which produces striking golden-yellow acicular and star-shaped formations associated with mirror-like Hematite crystals. Freestanding crystals and v-shaped twins occur in many of the Brazilian gem pegmatites of Minas Gerais; especially noteworthy is Diamantina, in the Jequitinhonha valley. The U.S. contains several noteworthy sources of this mineral. The most famous is Graves Mountain, Lincoln Co., Georgia, where stubby, lustrous, mirror-like crystals were once found. Beautiful dark red and etched prismatic crystals come from Hiddenite and Stony Point, Alexander Co., North Carolina; and interesting sixlings and other twinned forms were well-known from the soils of Parkesburg, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, especially as floater crystals. Good Rutile crystals come from Magnet Cove, Garland Co., Arkansas, including Rutile pseudomorphs after Brookite. In California, two localities that have produced exceptionally lustrous stubby crystals are the Champion Mine, White Mountains, Mono Co.; and Darwin, Inyo Co.

COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS Quartz, Hematite, Siderite, Pyrophyllite, Muscovite, Dolomite, Barite, Orthoclase DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS Cassiterite - Higher specific gravity, crystals not as lustrous as Rutile. Schorl - Lacks reddish hue, much harder.