Rutile
Rutile is a titanium oxide mineral found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks all over the globe. Rutile commonly forms as thin, needle-like crystals, commonly found as inclusions in minerals such as quartz and corundum. Rutile is typically a brownish-red color due to the presence of iron impurities. Rutile was named by German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1800. The name rutile derives from the Latin word “rutilus” meaning “red”. Rutile inclusions are also responsible for the asterism (star) or chatoyancy effects on some gemstones, such as Star Ruby. The thin Rutile fibers that formed inside the host mineral provides these incredible optical effects.
