Rutile Quartz would be a fairly ordinary clear gemstone if it were not for the fascinating inclusions within the stone. These can be thick or thin, straight or curly, parallel or criss-crossed and resemble such things as hair cuttings, a handful of straw or some loose copper wiring.
Rutile Quartz Colors
The inclusions of Rutile Quartz can come in a wide range of colors from light yellows and fawny browns through rusty reds and silver grays all the way to black.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Rutile Quartz Species
As you will have guessed from the name, Rutile Quartz is a type of quartz - usually completely transparent - but with tiny fiber-like inclusions of titanium dioxide which make this gemstone so distinctive.
The arrangement, color and thickness of the inclusions have led to the use of a few trade names such as:
- Venus Hair Stone
- Angel Hair Quartz
- Cupid's Darts
- Sagenitic Quartz
Rutile Quartz Price
Rutile Quartz is not a very expensive gemstone and the best style, color and shape of the inclusions is more a matter of personal taste than an indication of price.
Certainly, very a transparent gemstone with brightly colored inclusions - say blonde or copper red - would probably demand a higher price per carat but the differences are minimal.
Carat Weight
Rutile Quartz gemstones can be found in impressive carat weights and sizes - 40 or 50 carats and even more are fairly common - which can provide a large window through which we can appreciate the intriguing inclusions.
Because the large sizes are quite easy to find, the price per carat does not rise for the bigger stones - perhaps even the opposite - and these stones are usually just a dollar or two per carat with just the exceptional examples reaching $15 per carat.
For more details please refer to our full Rutile Quartz Info page here
Treatments
Rutile Quartz is not treated as far as we know. Heat would spoil the rutile inclusions and dye would obscure the clear quartz 'window'.
Where is Rutile Quartz found?
Rutile Quartz is mined in many parts of the world with the best gemstones coming from Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia, Spain and the USA.
What jewelry is Rutile Quartz suitable for?
Rutile Quartz is rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale meaning it is hard enough for all types of jewelry including daily wear items. The large gemstones with unique inclusions are especially suited to imaginative one-off items such as eye-catching pendants and brooches.
As it is such an affordable and durable gemstone, Rutile Quartz is a very popular choice for home made jewelry items, particularly beginners to the craft who appreciate the large sizes available.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Rutile Quartz is basically a Clear Quartz which can be used as an alternative birthstone for April.
