Rutile

Rutile is the most common and stable form of titanium dioxide found in nature. It forms under high pressure and high temperature in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is a key ingredient in paint and also a useful component in optical equipment.

Type

Mineral

Mineral Classification

Oxide

Chemical Formula

TiO2

Streak

Bright red to dark red

Mohs Hardness

6.0 - 6.5

Crystal System

Tetragonal ditetragonal dipyramidal

Color

Reddish brown, red, pale yellow, pale blue, violet, rarely grass-green, or black

Luster

Adamantine to submetallic

Fracture

Uneven to sub-conchoidal

Description

Rutile is the most common and stable form of titanium dioxide found in nature. It forms under high pressure and high temperature in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is a key ingredient in paint and also a useful component in optical equipment.

Relation to Mining

Rutile is recovered through surface mining and dredging of dense beach sands.

Uses

Because it has a very high index of refraction, rutile is used for many purposes in optics, a vast majority of which come from synthetic rutile, which was first produced in 1948. As a source of titanium dioxide pigment, rutile is used in plastics, paper products, paints, sunscreen, and even food coloring.  Certain welding equipment also uses it.