Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BTW :: Rutilated Quartz

Did you know that quartz is the single most abundant mineral on earth? Or that it makes up 12% of the earth's crust? I didn't until I went looking for the causes of Rutilated Quartz, which is the stone in these earrings. 

 Rutile are inclusions that form in long thin needles "frozen' inside stone such as quartz, but also known to cause the 'star' in sapphires and rubies. Huh, who knew? It is formed when rocks start to cool after being heated by high temperatures and pressure. The pressure eases and the stone separates creating rutile crystals trapped inside the quartz. 

 These rutile quartz earrings have a black inclusion, but I've seen others with deep green. Both black and green are tourmaline deposits within the crystal. I just love the patterns they make in the stones. That's what's on the bead table this week.
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Location Connecticut

13 comments:

  1. Plowing Through Life (Martha)April 30, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    I had no idea about quartz! You learn something new every day. Pretty earrings!

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  2. BIKBIK AND ROROApril 30, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    I love rutilated quartz! Golden rutiles especially have such a rich, luxe quality about them. Those earrings are so perfectly elegant and refined :)

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  3. DuniApril 30, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    How interesting, Cynthia! I've never seen rutilated quartz upclose before. I love the tear drop shape of the quartz!

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  4. Christine AltmillerApril 30, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    Rutilated is my favorite kind of Quartz! You let it be all about the quartz in these, and they are beauties!

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  5. UnknownApril 30, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    Very interesting, I like coming to your site to learn :)

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  6. AdditionsstyleApril 30, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    I did not know that about rutilated quart, how interesting. It is one of my favorite stones and that is really good to know. Thanks for sharing.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  7. Maude LynnApril 30, 2013 at 3:15 PM

    I didn't know that about quartz. I bet my daughter will get a kick out of that when I tell her.

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  8. Caron MichelleApril 30, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Very sweet - love these earrings!

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  9. BeadedTailApril 30, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    Well who woulda thunk it? :) I learned something new today! The earrings are lovely too!

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  10. BobbieApril 30, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    I love rutilated quartz -- then again I love the idea of something being made even more beautiful as a result of heat and pressure. Maybe I'll start referring to my grey hairs and crow's feet as my own personal rutiles...

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  11. Magic Love CrowApril 30, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    I love Rutilated Quartz!! And, I love your earrings! Beautiful ;o)

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  12. Miss Val's CreationsMay 1, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    Beautiful pieces! I have worked with a variety of quartz over the years but never rutilated. It has a cool edgy look!

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  13. Craftymoose CraftsMay 1, 2013 at 4:34 PM

    These interesting stones made really pretty earrings!

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