Titanite (Sphene)
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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
Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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)
티타나이트(스핀)는 칼슘 티타늄 규산염 광물로, 다이아몬드보다 3배 높은 분산력이 황색·녹색·갈색·주황색의 원석에서 놀라운 화광을 연출합니다. 강한 다색성으로 각도에 따라 색상이 뚜렷하게 변하는 것도 특징입니다. 오스트리아·파키스탄·브라질·멕시코·캐나다가 주요 산지이며, 수집가들 사이에서 독보적인 광학 특성으로 높은 평가를 받습니다.
Jewelry Use
Durability
4/10
Science FYI Family
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Titanite (Sphene)?
티타나이트(스핀)는 칼슘 티타늄 규산염 광물로, 다이아몬드보다 3배 높은 분산력이 황색·녹색·갈색·주황색의 원석에서 놀라운 화광을 연출합니다. 강한 다색성으로 각도에 따라 색상이 뚜렷하게 변하는 것도 특징입니다. 오스트리아·파키스탄·브라질·멕시코·캐나다가 주요 산지이며, 수집가들 사이에서 독보적인 광학 특성으로 높은 평가를 받습니다.
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.
What color is Titanite (Sphene)?
Titanite (Sphene) is primarily Various.
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.
What is the crystal system of Titanite (Sphene)?
Titanite (Sphene) belongs to the Monoclinic crystal system.