Rutile Crystals on Matrix - Graves Mountain, Georgia

This specimen contains a nearly perfect, deep red-black rutile crystal with a metallic-like luster, on a rutile-pyrophyllite matrix. Some smaller rutile crystals can be found throughout the matrix, as well as quartz. There are very few scuff marks on the center crystal.

Rutile is an oxide mineral composed primarily of TiO2, though iron is a typical chemical variation. It comes in a wide variety of crystal forms, from lustrous metallic-looking crystals and thin straw-like crystals to even deep red crystals with slight translucence. Rutile also forms needle-like inclusion with other minerals, most commonly with quartz. Rarer polymorphs of rutile (TiO2) include anatase and brookite, both of which have unique crystal structures.

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