rutile, the most abundant of three naturally occurring forms of titanium dioxide (TiO2; see also anatase; brookite). It forms red to reddish brown, hard, brilliant metallic, slender crystals, often completely surrounded by other minerals. Rutile is a commercially important titanium mineral, although most titanium dioxide is produced from ilmenite. Rutile has minor uses in porcelain and glass manufacture as a colouring agent and in making some steels and copper alloys. Rutile is also used as a gem, but artificial rutile produced by the flame-fusion (Verneuil) process is superior to natural crystals for gem use. The artificial material has a yellow tinge, a very high index of refraction, and high dispersion; hence it shows fire and brilliance like that of diamond. Synthetic gems can be produced in various colours by the addition of appropriate metal oxides before fusion.

Rutile is an accessory mineral in igneous rocks but is more common in schists and gneisses; it also occurs in pegmatites and crystallized limestones and is common in detrital deposits. Microscopic needles of rutile are widespread in clays, shales, and slates. The top rutile-producing countries include Australia, South Africa, and Ukraine. Rutile is also mined from apatite veins in the Gjerstadvatnet and Vegårshei regions of Norway. It is widespread in the Alps and, in the United States, is abundant in Magnet Cove, Arkansas; in central Virginia; and on Shooting Creek, North Carolina. For detailed physical properties, see oxide mineral (table).

Rutile often forms microscopic oriented inclusions in other minerals; these are responsible for the asterism shown by some phlogopite, rose quartz, ruby, and sapphire. Quartz that contains long, delicate, translucent rutile needles is called rutilated quartz, or Venus’s-hairstone; it has been used as an ornamental stone since ancient times and was particularly prized in England and France during the 18th century. Intergrown netlike or reticulated aggregates of rutile in quartz are called sagenite (from the Greek word for “net”). Hairlike crystals of rutile not included in quartz are rare; the quartz crystals mechanically enclose the rutile during growth. Most fine-quality rutilated quartz comes from Minas Gerais, Brazil; Madagascar; Hanover, New Hampshire; and northern Vermont.

Basalt sample returned by Apollo 15, from near a long sinous lunar valley called Hadley Rille.  Measured at 3.3 years old.
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Also called:
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titanium dioxide, (TiO2), a white, opaque, naturally occurring mineral existing in a number of crystalline forms, the most important of which are rutile and anatase. These naturally occurring oxide forms can be mined and serve as a source for commercial titanium. Titanium dioxide is odourless and absorbent. Its most important function in powder form is as a widely used pigment for lending whiteness and opacity.

Titanium dioxide has been used as a bleaching and opacifying agent in porcelain enamels, giving them brightness, hardness, and acid resistance. In modern times it is used in cosmetics, such as in skin care products and sunscreen lotions, with claims that titanium dioxide protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation because of its property to absorb ultraviolet light.

The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide results in thin coatings exhibiting self-cleaning and disinfecting properties under exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Alloys are characterized by being lightweight and having very high tensile strength (even at high temperatures), high corrosion resistance, and an ability to withstand extreme temperatures and thus are used principally in aircraft, pipes for power plants, armour plating, naval ships, spacecraft, and missiles.

Because of its unique properties, titanium dioxide is widely used and is well known in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Titanium dioxide was one of the first materials to be used in nanotechnology products. However, the potential toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles is a controversial subject. Many cosmetic companies use titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Because of its bright whiteness, it is used in products such as paints, coatings, papers, inks, toothpaste, face powder, and food colouring.

Even though it is one of the most-produced chemicals, the real and potential benefits of titanium dioxide are not without controversies. Dust inhalation may cause breathing problems. Titanium dioxide has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as an Group 2B carcinogen, a “possible carcinogen to humans,” based on studies of rats that inhaled the substance.

Debasmita Patra
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