Ten teardrop-shaped quartz cabochons with golden rutile needles, between 17×12 and 35×23 mm. Two pieces (no.18 and no.19) are slightly smoky. Each piece is unique with its own rutile density and distribution.
Item Specifications
| Mineral |
Quartz with rutile (TiO₂) inclusions, some pieces with a smoky hue |
| Dimensions per piece |
no.14: 32×19×7 mm · no.15: 35×23×9 mm · no.16: 31×19×9 mm · no.17: 32×16×6 mm · no.18: 32×19×8 mm · no.19: 33×15×7 mm · no.20: 27×15×9 mm · no.21: 22×15×9 mm · no.22: 21×16×9 mm · no.23: 17×12×7 mm |
| Shape and back |
Freeform teardrop, slightly domed back |
| Finish |
Mirror polished |
| Hardness |
7 Mohs — suitable for pendants and earrings; we recommend a closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Brazil |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Item type |
Unique piece (each number is one-of-a-kind) |
This specific piece
The pieces in this lot range from the largest (no.15: 35×23 mm, almost the size of a walnut) to the most compact (no.23: 17×12 mm, suitable for a minimalist earring or pendant).
No.18 and no.19 are slightly smoky: the quartz has a faint grayish-brown hue that darkens the background and makes the golden rutile needles stand out even more by contrast. This characteristic is completely natural — the smoky quartz variety comes from natural irradiation within the rock over millions of years.
How rutile needles form in quartz
Rutile (TiO₂) needles crystallize in pegmatitic rocks at high temperatures before quartz forms around them. Once formed, the rutile crystals are enclosed within the growing quartz as needles oriented along the crystallographic axes. The golden-copper color of rutile comes from iron impurities in the TiO₂ structure.
For which mounting it works
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Pendant with 925 silver bezel — the teardrop shape is classic for pendants; white silver maximizes the visibility of the golden rutile inside the quartz; medium sizes (no.14, no.17, no.19) are the most balanced for daily wear
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Earrings with silver setting (small pieces) — no.23 (17×12 mm) and no.21-22 (21-22 mm) are suitable sizes for earrings without being excessively heavy
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Wire wrap — the teardrop shape is one of the most common in classic wire wrap; the slightly domed back adapts well to spiral wire anchoring; transparent quartz allows the back wire to be seen from the front when using very fine wire
Rutilated quartz in lapidary tradition
Rutilated quartz was called "Cheveux de Vénus" (Venus' hair) by 18th-century European lapidaries, referring to the fine golden needles that look like hairs trapped in crystal. It is also called "Love Arrows" or "Angel Hair" in different jewelry traditions.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine rutilated quartz
Genuine rutile needles are three-dimensional, visible within the crystal at all angles, with their own metallic luster and natural terminations that follow the crystallographic orientation of the quartz. Glass with painted "inclusions" has marks on the surface or between layers and does not have three-dimensional metallic luster.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between transparent and slightly smoky pieces?
Clear pieces (no.14-17, no.20-23) have hyaline quartz with no background coloration, maximizing transparency. Smoky pieces (no.18 and no.19) have a faint grayish-brown hue that darkens the background and creates greater contrast with the golden needles, making the rutile even more visually striking.
Is the smoky tone of no.18 and no.19 a treatment?
No. Smoky quartz is natural: the coloration comes from color centers created by natural irradiation within the rock. No treatment applied.
Which pieces are suitable for earrings versus pendants?
For earrings: no.23 (17×12 mm) and no.21-22 (~21 mm). For pendants: no.14 to no.20, especially those with a thickness of 7-8 mm. No.15 (35×23×9 mm) is the largest and suitable for a large format focal pendant.
See also: all cabochons · handmade pendants · handmade earrings.
