TiO2 with: Rutile · Brookite — same chemistry, different crystal structure.Tetragonal
Anatase is one of the three TiO2 polymorphs (alongside rutile and brookite) and is the lowest-temperature, most metastable of the three. It crystallizes in distinctive sharp tetragonal bipyramids with a brilliant near-adamantine luster.
Occurrence
Classic alpine-cleft anatase comes from the Binntal and Hardanger (Switzerland) and Cavradi gorge — sharp dark-blue bipyramids on chlorite or quartz. Modern Brazilian anatase from Diamantina (Minas Gerais) reaches gem grade. Hagdal (Norway) yields large dull-brown crystals. China hosts minor metamorphic anatase but no notable collector localities.
Identification
Tetragonal bipyramids with very sharp pyramidal terminations + dark indigo color in fresh material. Distinguish from rutile (more equant prismatic, often reddish) and brookite (orthorhombic, tabular).
Collector Notes
Alpine anatase from Cavradi gorge and Brazilian crystals are the genre standards. Anatase + brookite + rutile thumbnail set is a classic TiO2 polymorph display.