Rutilated Quartz Composites
By Greg Genovese
Intermediate-to-advanced project.

Making rutilated quartz composites is a great way to render the beautiful titanium oxide gold-colored needles this material boasts. One thing to remember when selecting rough is that you should choose rough with the clearest possible quartz. Other than the rutile itself, the quartz must be free of any inclusions. When you back a rutilated quartz cab, even the smallest inclusion stands out. More often than not, you can see through the quartz without any problem. Another thing you will want to remember when working with this material is that doing so involves extreme patience. The different patterns in the rutile will dictate what shapes you can make. The “angel hair” rutile lends itself best to high-dome cabs, while the flat, broad needles will produce great flat stones. It's up to you. Take your time.

Editor's note: To learn more about the carvings of Greg Genovese, see “Cutting it Up in Cape May,” page 26 in the January 2000 print issue of Lapidary Journal.

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Rutilated quartz rough Dyed black agate slabs Lapis rough or slabs 6" or 8" expanding drum 6" or 8" flat lap 60-grit roughing wheel 180-grit grit roughing wheel 220-grit sanding belt (diamond or silicon carbide) 400-grit sanding belt 1,200-grit sanding belt 120-grit silicon carbide Leather polishing lap 400-grit silicon carbide 600-grit silicon carbide Marking pen Dop sticks Dop pot Goose-neck lamp 100-watt light bulb 2-part epoxy 220 Mixing stick Box of wooden matches Cerium oxide For information on supplies, please see the Annual Buyers' Directory.

In addition to rutilated quartz composites, Greg Genovese specializes in cutting bicolored drusy leaves.

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