Rutile is a major mineral source of the element titanium. Rutile is typically about 60% titanium and 40% oxygen. It can have some iron present, sometimes up to 10%. The rutile specimen in the photo does have about 5% iron in it. Rutile is one of the most common titanium minerals, occurring in gneiss, mica, schist, granite, limestone and dolomite. It is also associated with quartz, hematite and feldspar. As a secondary mineral, it is common in beach sand deposits, along with the other titanium mineral, ilmenite. Rutile is brownish red and other shades, but not black. It has a hardness of 6.6, specific gravity of 4.18 to 5.2, a metalic luster and a pale brown streak. It's crystals are prismatic, vertically striated or furrowed. It fractures unevenly, to subconchoidal. Major uses of this lightweight, high strength, non-corrosive metal are aerospace, automobiles, sports, and medicine. Still, its main use is in paint as a paint pigment. It replaced lead as the most common paint pigment used in the manufacture of paint. Other uses include a coating for tiles, and it is used to treat the air, both to preserve fruits and vegetables and to remove pollution.