Titanite (Sphene)

Big Photo

Madagascar
4.10 carats
© Rarestone.com

The mineralogical name Titanite comes from its titanium contents. It is also known as Sphene, from Greek word for "wedge", referring to the typical crystal shape of this mineral.

Transparent specimens are noted for their strong trichroism, the three colours depend on the base stone colour. Its very high dispersion 0.051 (higher than Diamond 0.044) helps to give cut stones an intense fire. Usual weight of cut stones is 1-2 carats, occasionally to 10-12 carats.
97 photos

Titanite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Titanite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Titanite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.03 cts
Heaviest:40.33 cts
Average:2.49 cts
Total photos:95
Do you have a larger Titanite? Why not upload a photo?
0.03ct to 4.06ct4.06ct to 8.09ct8.09ct to 12.12ct12.12ct to 16.15ct16.15ct to 20.18ct20.18ct to 24.21ct24.21ct to 28.24ct28.24ct to 32.27ct32.27ct to 36.30ct36.30ct to 40.33ct
General Information
Other Names/Trade Names:
Sphene
Chemical Formula
CaTiSiO
 
5
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Titanite Treatments
It can be changed to red or orange through heating. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 194
Physical Properties of Titanite
Mohs Hardness5 to 5.5
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Specific Gravity3.52 to 3.54
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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TenacityBrittle
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Cleavage QualityGood
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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FractureConchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical Properties of Titanite
Refractive Index1.843 to 2.110
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.100 to 0.192
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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PleochroismGreen stones - strong trichroism: typically colorless - greenish yellow - brownish to yellow;
Orange/brown stones - strong: colorless - yellow - reddish-orange; Yellow stones - distinct: colorless - green-yellow - brownish-orange
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Dispersion0.051
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Colour
Colour (General)Yellow, yellowish-green, green, brownish-green, brown
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourGreen, high Fe content. Green (chrome sphene), Cr3+ in octahedral coordination. Pink, Mn2+ in octahedral, for certain Mn/Fe ratios, as well as pink carbonate inclusions
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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LustreAdamantine
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
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Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)None
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Crystallography of Titanite
Crystal SystemMonoclinic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
HabitWedge-shaped prisms
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
More from other references
Geological Environment
Where found: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)
Spectrographic Data
Calculated Spectra:
Click spectra for more information
Titanite - Locality: Afghanistan
Titanite - Locality: Unknown
Titanite - Locality: Madagascar
Titanite - Locality: Russia
Inclusions in Titanite
Straight rows and/or "feathers" of tiny crystals. Actinolite needles
Further Information
Mineral information:Titanite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Kabul
    • Surobi District
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
 
  • New South Wales
    • Yancowinna Co.
      • Broken Hill district
  • Northern Territory
    • Central Desert Region
McColl and Petersen (1990)
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Capelinha
Canada
 
  • Québec
    • Nord-du-Québec
Robinson and Wight (1997)
Kenya
 
  • Taita-Taveta County
Collection of NHM, Vienna
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Marble Ark
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
          • Dattaw-taung (Dattaw hill)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Russia
 
  • Perm Krai
    • Gornozavodskii District
      • Sarany
Hyrsl and Milisenda (1995)
Sri Lanka
 
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
      • Ratnapura
  • Southern Province
    • Galle District
      • Bentota
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
Switzerland
 
  • Grisons
    • Surselva Region
      • Tujetsch
        • Oberalp pass area
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