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Rutilated quartz with very fine light colored rutile is called "angel hair."
Rutile derives its name from the Latin rutilus, meaning "red," in reference to the deep red color observed in some specimens when viewed by transmitted light. Although rutile is commonly reddish brown, it can also be yellowish, bluish, green or even violet.
Rutiles can be up to 10% iron. |
golden threads but no silver needles...
Rutilated quartz is a quartz with large inclusions of the mineral rutile, a titanium-rich material. Rutile forms in quartz as what appears to be glimmering gold and red threads or 'needles' arrayed in patterns inside the stone. Since every pattern of rutiles within the stone is unique, each piece of rutilated quartz is unique.
Until relatively recently, rutilated quartz was considered mainly an ornamental stone (fit for crystals and carving), but its unusual inclusions -- often seen as golden-colored (a phenomenon of refracted light) -- have made it an increasingly popular stone with jewelry designers and the public.
Rutile itself is an interesting and important mineral. A significant source of titanium dioxide, the metal is used for high tech alloys because of its light weight, high strength and resistance to corrosion.
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symbolic attributes
| metaphysical | |
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| energy | projective / yang |
| element | chi |
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Rutilated quartz with very fine light colored rutile is called "angel hair."