Rocks, Minerals & Ores
Metamorphic Rocks and Minerals
Rutile
Titanium oxideChampion Mine, Chalfont, Mono County, CA
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Metamorphic Rocks and Minerals
Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide, TiO2.
Rutile is the most common natural form of TiO2. Two rarer polymorphs of TiO2 are known: anatase (sometimes known by the obsolete name 'octahedrite'), a tetragonal mineral of pseudo-octahedral habit; and brookite, an orthorhombic mineral.
Rutile has among the highest refractive indices of any known mineral and also exhibits high dispersion. Natural rutile may contain up to 10% iron and significant amounts of niobium and tantalum.
Rutile derives its name from the Latin rutilus, red, in reference to the deep red color observed in some specimens when viewed by transmitted light.
