Rutile is the most common natural form of TiO2. In large enough quantities in beach sands , rutile forms an important constituent of heavy minerals and ore deposits. Miners extract and separate the valuable minerals —e.g., rutile, zircon , and ilmenite . The main uses for rutile are the manufacture of refractory ceramic , as a pigment , and for the production of titanium metal.
Finely powdered rutile is a brilliant white pigment and is used in paints , plastics , paper , foods, and other applications that call for a bright white color. Titanium dioxide pigment is the single greatest use of titanium worldwide. Nanoscale particles of rutile are transparent to visible light but are highly effective in the absorption of ultraviolet radiation. The UV absorption of nano-sized rutile particles is blue-shifted compared to bulk rutile, so that higher-energy UV light is absorbed by the nanoparticles . Hence, they are used in sunscreens to protect against UV-induced skin damage. Rutile is widely used as a welding electrode covering.