Quartz with Rutile — Tumbled

Quartz with Rutile is a mineral association between Hyaline Quartz (SiO₂) and acicular crystals of Rutile (TiO₂) included in the silica matrix during crystalline growth. It forms in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, where solutions rich in silica and titanium crystallize simultaneously, trapping the rutile needles inside the forming quartz. Rutile inclusions are golden, reddish or brownish-black in color, depending on the degree of oxidation of the titanium and the presence of iron in the structure of the included mineral. The distribution of the needles in the transparent quartz matrix can be parallel, radial or crisscrossed, generating distinct visual patterns in each specimen. The mechanical rolling process progressively rounds the ends and corners of the pieces, resulting in a smoothed external profile that preserves the characteristic internal structure. Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Density: 2.65 to 4.23 g/cm³ (variable depending on the proportion of rutile). Crystalline system: trigonal (quartz) and tetragonal (rutile). Available variations, approximate data: Size: 1 to 7 cm Unit weight: up to 0.180 kg (approx.) Average: 30 to 60 pieces per kg (approx.)