Rutile's deep, red color may be so intense it can't be seen easily in stones larger than one carat. However, faceted natural rutiles may disappoint collectors because the finished gems are so dark. Jewelry and gemstone enthusiasts usually prize this property. However, one of rutile's most attractive properties is its exceptional dispersion or "fire." It will break up white light into many flashing, multi-colored points. At 0.28, its dispersion is six times greater than that of diamond. Use protective settings for any jewelry use, especially rings. Rutiles have a Mohs hardness value of 6-6.5, which makes them somewhat vulnerable to scratches. This cabbed, dark gray rutile displays not only a sharp, bright cat's eye but also a stunning, super-reflective metallic luster. Sometimes, rutiles themselves may show cat's eyes when cabbed. Rutile inclusions also cause chatoyancy (the "cat's eye" effect) in gem materials such as chrysoberyl. In corundum, rutile crystals occur as fibers, causing asterism in stones such as star sapphires. Rutilated quartz pieces can make stunning jewelry stones as well as display specimens. Rutile as Inclusions in Other GemstonesĪs needle inclusions, rutile crystals occur inside a wide variety of gem materials, such as quartz and agate (sagenite). The only other gem-quality member of this group that gets faceted (rarely) is cassiterite. Rutile also lends its name to the rutile mineral group. These gems are rarely cut, but of the three you're more likely to encounter faceted or cabbed rutiles. They share the same chemical formula, TiO 2 (titanium dioxide), but have different crystal systems and other gemological properties. Rutile is polymorphous with anatase and brookite. Faceted gem ~ 0.5, specimen ~ 2 inches long. Square cushion-cut rutile, 1.38 cts, 6.1 mm, very dark red, Pakistan. Synthetics can show a variety of colors and have even been used as diamond simulants. Though perhaps best known as inclusions within other gems, rutile crystals themselves can be faceted or cabbed as curiosities for collectors.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |