Anatase, Quartz TiO2, SiO2Locality:Valleggia Glacier, Valleggia…

Anatase, Quartz TiO2, SiO2Locality:Valleggia Glacier, Valleggia…

Anatase, Quartz

TiO₂, SiO₂

Locality:

Valleggia Glacier, Valleggia Valley, Bedretto Valley, Leventina, Ticino (Tessin), Switzerland

Field of view: 12 mm

Red anatase crystals on Quartz. 

Collection and photo: Stephan Wolfsried

Anatase is a relatively uncommon yet very aesthetic form of titanium dioxide. It forms distinct, sharply developed and unique crystals, which are usually microscopic to very small, though a few localities have produced larger crystals. Anatase is one of the three mineral forms of titanium dioxide, the other two being brookite and rutile.