Rutilated Quartz Pendant 18mm — Faceted Golden Needles

Measuring 18 x 14 x 6 mm at 3.1 g, this faceted rutilated quartz pendant is light on the chain and easy to live in, which makes it a good first piece for anyone who has admired this stone from a distance without owning any. The trapezoid cut gives the golden rutile inside plenty of angles to catch, and it comes on 18k gold vermeil or sterling silver, whichever suits the rest of your jewellery.

Something that puzzles people looking at several of these side by side: why does every single one look different, and does the pattern change what a piece is worth? It does, and it's the interesting part. In almost every other gemstone, an inclusion is a flaw that drives the price down, since the ideal is glassy and empty. Rutilated quartz turns that completely on its head. Here the inclusions are the gem, and the material is judged on how clear the surrounding quartz is and how boldly the needles read against it. Dense golden sprays in water clear quartz sit at the top. A sparse wisp in cloudy material sits well below.

A closer look

The needles are rutile, a titanium mineral whose name comes from the Latin rutilus, meaning glowing red, after the deep red colour rutile shows in its purer forms. In quartz it more often reads gold, though silver, copper and near black strands all occur. They can lie in neat parallel bundles, scatter at random, or occasionally radiate from a single point like a starburst, which is the rarest arrangement of all. Traditionally the stone is associated with clarity, abundance and personal growth, and it's often kept close during periods of change.

• Stone: Natural rutilated quartz
• Cut: Faceted trapezoid
• Size: 18 x 14 x 6 mm, 3.1 g
• Inclusions: Golden rutile needles in high clarity quartz
• Chain: Your choice of 18k gold vermeil or sterling silver

Wearing your rutilated quartz

At around 7 on the Mohs scale this handles ordinary wear comfortably. Keep it off during washing up and swimming, less for the stone's sake than the chain's, and give the facets an occasional wipe with a soft cloth so the needles stay visible through clean quartz rather than a film of skin oil. Stored in its own pouch it won't scratch or get scratched. You'll receive the exact necklace pictured, pattern and all.

Please note: crystals are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Keep small pieces away from young children.