{"title":"Rutilated Quartz","description":"\u003cp\u003eRutilated Quartz is transparent to translucent \u003cstrong\u003equartz\u003c\/strong\u003e (SiO₂) penetrated by needle-like golden, copper, red or black inclusions of \u003cstrong\u003erutile\u003c\/strong\u003e, a titanium dioxide mineral. These acicular crystals form during hydrothermal growth, when titanium-bearing fluids became trapped as fine sagenitic networks inside the growing silica lattice, producing the star-shaped, wheatsheaf or crisscrossing \"Venus hair\" and \"angel hair\" patterns collectors prize. The contrast between limpid or smoky quartz and metallic-lustered rutile needles makes each specimen genuinely one of a kind, and unlike most gem minerals, rutilated quartz is valued precisely because of its inclusions rather than in spite of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe classic source is Brazil, where \u003cstrong\u003eMinas Gerais\u003c\/strong\u003e pegmatites, especially around \u003cstrong\u003eDiamantina\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Jequitinhonha valley, yield abundant freestanding crystals and V-shaped rutile twins, while \u003cstrong\u003eNovo Horizonte\u003c\/strong\u003e (formerly Ibitiara) in \u003cstrong\u003eBahia\u003c\/strong\u003e is famed for striking golden-yellow acicular and star-shaped rutile formations often paired with mirror-bright \u003cstrong\u003ehematite\u003c\/strong\u003e. Fine material also comes from \u003cstrong\u003eMadagascar\u003c\/strong\u003e, where sagenitic rutile with mossy, fern-like intergrowths and even rare purple lithium-rich sagenite occurs, alongside \u003cstrong\u003estruverite\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eilmenorutile\u003c\/strong\u003e varieties from the Antsirabe and Betafo pegmatites. Additional notable localities include \u003cstrong\u003eKazakhstan\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eNorway\u003c\/strong\u003e (source of the rare \"black Venus hair\" variety), \u003cstrong\u003ePakistan\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSri Lanka\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eAustralia's Mud Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e zircon field, and the Alpine belt spanning \u003cstrong\u003eCavradi\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eBinn Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e in Switzerland, the \u003cstrong\u003eStubach Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e in Austria, and the \u003cstrong\u003eSusa Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e in Italy, where sagenite-quartz has been studied since the 18th century. In the United States, \u003cstrong\u003eHanover, New Hampshire\u003c\/strong\u003e and northern \u003cstrong\u003eVermont\u003c\/strong\u003e have historically produced fine sagenitic quartz.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a Mohs hardness of 7 for the quartz host, rutilated quartz is durable enough for cutting and display, yet the differing hardness of the softer rutile needles makes fine faceting and polishing genuinely challenging, adding to the appeal of well-formed natural pieces. Collectors seek specimens for the density, orientation and color of their rutile silk — golden and copper-red needles are generally the most prized, while dense starbursts, sagenite nets and dramatic single-crystal sprays command special attention. Because every rutilated quartz specimen is unique in pattern, color and locality character, it remains a favorite for both systematic mineral collections and display pieces highlighting the natural interplay between the \u003cstrong\u003equartz group\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003erutile\u003c\/strong\u003e species.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fa15-quarzo-rutilo-brasile-0","title":"RUTILE \u0026 SMOKY QUARTZ – Large Golden Crystal Stars on Hematite, Brazil","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eLarge natural Smoky Quartz crystal from the world-famous Novo Horizonte locality, Bahia, Brazil, richly included with golden rutile needles radiating in star formations from hematite bases. Excellent transparency showcases the striking contrast between the golden rutile and the smoky quartz host — a genuinely spectacular combination from the classic reference locality for this phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 113 × 32 × 36 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 223 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45451817877613,"sku":null,"price":259.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260212155534.jpg?v=1783877559"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/rutilated-quartz.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}