Cassiterite vs Rutile
| Property | Cassiterite | Rutile |
|---|---|---|
| Fórmula | SnO2 | TiO2 |
| Sistema Cristalino | Tetragonal | Tetragonal |
| Clase Mineral | 04 Oxides and Hydroxides | 04 Oxides and Hydroxides |
| Dureza Mohs | 6.0-7.0 | 6.0-6.5 |
| Color | Brown, black, reddish-brown, yellow | Reddish-brown, red, black, golden |
| Brillo | Adamantine | Adamantine |
| Raya | White to pale brown | Light brown |
| Transparencia | Translucent | Translucent |
| Exfoliación | Poor {100} | Good {110} |
| Fractura | Subconchoidal to uneven | Conchoidal to uneven |
Key Differences
- ◆ Rutile (TiO2) is the primary titanium ore; cassiterite (SnO2) is the primary tin ore — both are tetragonal dioxides.
- ◆ Cassiterite (specific gravity 6.8–7.1) is significantly denser than rutile (4.18–4.25).
- ◆ Rutile forms golden to reddish-brown needle-like (acicular) crystals; cassiterite forms bipyramidal prismatic crystals.
- ◆ Rutile commonly occurs as inclusions in quartz (rutilated quartz) and as the 'silk' in star sapphires.
- ◆ Both are found in placer deposits due to their resistance to weathering.