Rutile

If ever a mineral was created for high-tech lovers, rutile would be it. It even looks like something dreamed up by a sci-fi writer, with some specimens having mirrored, metallic surfaces and prismatic shapes, while others come in long, strange, needle-like formations, some of which seem to be bursting their way, alien-style, from other crystals. And its high-tech associations don’t stop there: This mineral is one of our primary sources of titanium. Well known as one of the most important metals used in advanced technology, titanium is strong, without being overly dense, and very resistant to corrosion. You’ll find it in spaceships, airplanes, missiles, and even in people, since titanium is an excellent material for artificial joints and prosthetics. It’s safe to say that our modern world, with all its technical advances, would never have been possible without rutile. If this mineral is appearing for you now, it’s to tell you to seek your answers somewhere in the world of technology, science, and engineering. Or, perhaps, it just wants to tell you that you’re out of this world.