Titanite (Sphene)

Q: What is Titanite (Sphene)?

Titanite, also called Sphene, is a calcium titanium silicate mineral celebrated among gemologists for its extraordinary dispersion—three times greater than diamond—that produces spectacular fire in faceted stones of green, yellow, orange, or brown. Fine transparent yellow-green and orange stones fro

Q: What is the hardness of Titanite (Sphene)?

Titanite (Sphene) has a Mohs hardness of 5.0 to 5.5, making it moderate for use in jewelry.

Q: What color is Titanite (Sphene)?

Titanite (Sphene) is primarily Various.

Q: How much does Titanite (Sphene) cost?

Titanite (Sphene) falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Titanite (Sphene)?

Titanite (Sphene) belongs to the Monoclinic crystal system.

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Titanite, also known as sphene, is a calcium titanium silicate celebrated among gemologists for a dispersion roughly three times that of diamond, which produces spectacular fire in faceted stones of green, yellow, orange, and brown. Fine transparent yellow-green and orange material from Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, and the Alps yields gems of exceptional brilliance, though the mineral's softness limits its use in everyday jewelry. The name derives from the Greek for wedge, a reference to the characteristic wedge shape of its crystals. With a Mohs hardness of only 5 to 5.5, sphene is best reserved for pendants, earrings, and collectors' pieces rather than rings.

Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 5.0 – 5.5

Specific Gravity 3.52 – 3.54

Refractive Index 1.843 – 2.11

Crystal System Monoclinic

Luster Adamantine

Cleavage Good

Fracture Conchoidal

Color various

Birefringence 0.1

Dispersion 0.051

Pleochroism Green stones - strong trichroism: typically colorless - greenish yellow - brownish to yellow;

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 5.0 – 5.5

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Titanite (Sphene)

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

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Treatments

It can be changed to red or orange through heating. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 194 5 to 5.5Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references 3.52 to 3.54Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references BrittleWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) GoodWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) 1.843 to 2.110Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Biaxial/+Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 0.100 to 0.192Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references 0.051Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Yellow, yellowish-green, green, brownish-green, brownUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Green, high Fe content. Green (chrome sphene), Cr3+ in octahedral coordination. Pink, Mn2+ in octahedral, for certain Mn/Fe ratios, as well as pink carbonate inclusionsW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) Transparent,Translucent,OpaqueWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references AdamantineArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) More from other references NoneWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references MonoclinicHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Wedge-shaped prismsArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) More from other references A common accessory mineral in intermediate and felsic plutonic rocks, pegmatites, and alpine veins. In gneisses, schists, and some skarns; rarely detrital.Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) Titanite - Locality: AfghanistanTitanite - Locality: UnknownTitanite - Locality: MadagascarTitanite - Locality: Russia Straight rows and/or "feathers" of tiny crystals. Actinolite needles Titanite information at mindat.org Afghanistan  Garnier, V., Giuliani, G., Ohnenstetter, D., Fallick, A.E., Dubessy, J., Banks, D., Vinh, H.Q., Lhomme, T., Maluski, H., Pêcher, A., Bakhsh, K.A., Long, P.V., Trinh, P.T., and Schwarz, D. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 169-191. Australia  McColl and Petersen (1990) Brazil  Canada  Robinson and Wight (1997) Kenya  Collection of NHM, Vienna Myanmar  Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok Russia  Hyrsl and Milisenda (1995) Sri Lanka  Milisenda and Henn (1999) Switzerland 

About Titanite (Sphene)

Titanite, also called Sphene, is a calcium titanium silicate mineral celebrated among gemologists for its extraordinary dispersion—three times greater than diamond—that produces spectacular fire in faceted stones of green, yellow, orange, or brown. Fine transparent yellow-green and orange stones from Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, and the Alps yield gems of unmatched brilliance, though its relative softness limits durability in everyday wear. Sphene's name derives from the Greek for wedge, referring to the characteristic wedge shape of its crystals.