DigMyGem Gem encyclopedia

Rutilated Quartz

Quartz & Crystal Family

Rutilated quartz is transparent to translucent quartz containing visible needle-like crystals of rutile, a titanium dioxide mineral. The needles may be golden, reddish, coppery, silvery, or black and can lie singly, in bundles, or in star-like sprays.

Identity

Material or variety
Quartz
Scientific or material identity
Quartz
Classification
Natural mineral or mineral variety
Aliases or trade names
Venus’ hair stone · Angel hair quartz
Composition or formula
SiO₂
Crystal system or structure
Trigonal
Geological or manufacturing origin
Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
Mohs hardness
7
Specific gravity
2.65

Origins

Australia · Austria · Brazil · Pakistan · USA

Appearance & optical properties

clear quartz crossed by sparse long golden rutile needles.

History & discovery

The rutile needles that would count as flaws in many gems are the feature valued here. Rutilated quartz appeared in nineteenth-century jewelry and returned to wider notice in the later twentieth century through gem cutters using sculptural and fantasy cuts.

Uses & care

Common uses
It is faceted, cut as cabochons, made into beads and carvings, and kept as a mineral specimen; cutters often orient a stone to frame an unusual bundle or star of needles.
Handling and cleaning
Use warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush. Store it away from harder stones, protect exposed edges from blows, and avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaning when fractures or surface-reaching inclusions are present.

Jewellery

5 pieces of Rutilated Quartz jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

  • Silhouette of Golden Thread Ring

    Golden Thread Ring

    Ring

    Golden needles drift through clear quartz like threads suspended in still water.

  • Silhouette of Needlefall Necklace

    Needlefall Necklace

    Necklace

    A pendant of clear quartz whose golden needles fall like a shower of light.

  • Silhouette of Aureate Pendant

    Aureate Pendant

    Pendant

    A round quartz disc, gold needles fanning across it like a rising sun.

  • Silhouette of Venus Hair Brooch

    Venus Hair Brooch

    Brooch

    An imagined brooch of rutilated quartz, the clear stone threaded with golden needles of rutile once called Venus hair.

  • Silhouette of Venus Hair Orb

    Venus Hair Orb

    Jewel

    An imagined crystal orb filled with golden rutile needles, the hair of Venus, resting on a gold stand of three dolphins.

Sources