Rutile

 

This mineral is characterized by its adamantine luster and red color. Its name is from the Latin rutilus meaning “reddish” and is one of the five forms of titanium dioxide found in nature. Its slender crystals can be found traversing quartz veins forming rutilated quartz. Most of the ore is produced as a coating of welding rods, but is also used to give a yellow color to porcelain and false teeth.

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College