Rutile, an ore of titanium, is a high-temperature form of titanium dioxide. It has the formulae TiO2 and a relative hardness of 6.5. It exhibits a strong luster and is often found in twinned crystals. Rutile is found in granite, granite pegmatites, gneiss, mica schist, metamorphic limestone and dolomite. It is present as an accessory mineral in the rocks or in quartz veins. The name rutile is derived from the latin word ‘rutilus’ meaning red.
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