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Rutile

Rutile
Wine-red rutile crystals from Binn Valley, Switzerland (Size: 2.0 x 1.6 x 0.8 cm)
NameRutile
CategoryOxide minerals
CaptionWine-red rutile crystals from Binn Valley, Switzerland (Size: 2.0 x 1.6 x 0.8 cm)
FormulaTiO2
Strunz04.DB.05
SymmetryTetragonal 4/m 2/m 2/m; space group 136
Unit Cella=4.5937 Å, c=2.9587 Å; Z=2
ColorReddish brown, red, pale yellow, pale blue, violet, rarely grass-green; black if high in Nb � Ta
HabitAcicular to Prismatic crystals, elongated and striated parallel to [001]
SystemTetragonal ditetragonal dipyramidal
TwinningComon on {011}, or {031}; as contact twins with two, six, or eight individuals, cyclic, polysynthetic
Cleavage{110} good, 100 moderate, parting on {092} and {011}
FractureUneven to sub-conchoidal
Mohs6.0 - 6.5
LusterAdamantine to submetallic
Refractivenω=2.605 � 2.613 �nε=2.899 � 2.901
OpticalpropUniaxial (+)
Birefringence0.2870-0.2940
PleochroismWeak to distinct brownish red-green-yellow
Dispersionstrong
Anisotropismstrong
StreakBright red to dark red
Gravity4.23 increasing with Nb � Ta content
FusibilityFusible in alkali carbonates
SolubilityInsoluble in acids
DiaphaneityOpaque, transparent in thin fragments
ImpuritiesFe, Nb, Ta

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Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide, TiO2.

Rutile is the most common natural form of TiO2. Two rarer polymorphs of TiO2 are known:

*anatase (sometimes known by the obsolete name 'octahedrite'), a tetragonal mineral of pseudo-octahedral habit; and

*brookite, an orthorhombic mineral.

Rutile has among the highest refractive indices of any known mineral and also exhibits high dispersion. Natural rutile may contain up to 10% iron and significant amounts of niobium and tantalum.

Rutile derives its name from the Latin rutilus, red, in reference to the deep red color observed in some specimens when viewed by transmitted light.


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