How to identify Titanium Aura Quartz

To correctly identify Titanium Aura Quartz (SiO2 with titanium and other metal coatings), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Vibrant, iridescent, metallic sheen displaying multiple colors (blue, purple, gold, green, pink) that shift with viewing angle. The underlying quartz may be clear, milky, or smoky.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Strong metallic to sub-metallic, iridescent.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Smooth, glassy feel of quartz, but the coating can sometimes feel slightly different or appear uneven on poorly treated specimens.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Typically prismatic hexagonal crystals, often terminated, or as crystal clusters, characteristic of natural quartz. The coating adheres to the existing crystal habit.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   None (conchoidal fracture characteristic of quartz). The coating does not alter the cleavage of the underlying quartz.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Not found in geological environments. It is an artificially enhanced product. The base quartz originates from various geological settings, including hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Key Facts

Hardness

7 on the Mohs scale (for the underlying quartz). The coating is extremely thin and does not significantly alter the bulk hardness.

Specific Gravity

2.65 g/cm³ (for the underlying quartz). The thin coating has negligible impact on the overall specific gravity.

Crystal System

Trigonal (for the underlying quartz).

Color

Iridescent, multi-colored metallic sheen (blue, purple, gold, green, pink).

Luster

Metallic to sub-metallic, iridescent.

Transparency

Transparent to translucent (for the underlying quartz, the coating is opaque but extremely thin).

Fracture

Conchoidal (for the underlying quartz).

Cleavage

None.

Composition

SiO2 (quartz) with a surface coating of titanium and other metal oxides (e.g., Ti, Nb, Au, Pt).

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Prismatic hexagonal crystals, often terminated, or massive/granular aggregates (of the underlying quartz).
• Cleavage Type: None.
• Fracture Type: Conchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle.
• Luster Type: Metallic to sub-metallic, iridescent.

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