Rutilated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A type of crystal or gemstone is characterized by the presence of needle-like inclusions, which can be golden or reddish in hue, enhancing its overall beauty
2. The visual feature of certain gemstones is defined by thin, fibrous inclusions that are often gold or red, contributing to their unique appearance
3. A certain quality of minerals is marked by the inclusion of slender, elongated fibers that can appear in shades of gold or red, adding to their distinct charm

Etymology: "Rutilated" describes quartz or other stones that contain fine, needle-like crystals of rutile, a titanium oxide mineral. Its roots lie in the Latin verb "rutilare", meaning to glow or shine with a reddish or golden light, which in turn comes from "rutilus", reddish. The mineral's name, rutile, was coined from that same Latin root, a nod to the reddish colour of many of its crystals. The adjective is a participle formed on the verb "rutilate", which takes the Latin sense of shining and applies it to the light glinting off these tiny inclusions. Stones such as rutilated quartz, prized by collectors for their golden threads, show the older meaning of glowing in a literal way, since the needles catch and reflect light within the crystal.

Synonyms: golden, reddish