Sphene, also known as titanite, is a brilliant and colorful gemstone prized for its exceptional fire—the dispersion of light into a rainbow of colors, often surpassing that of diamond. Here's a brief description:

Sphene (Titanite) Overview

• Color: Most commonly green, but also occurs in yellow, brown, reddish, or even black. Vivid green and yellow-green stones are the most valued.

• Luster: Adamantine to sub-adamantine (very shiny and sparkly)

• Hardness: 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale

• Crystal System: Monoclinic

• Refractive Index: 1.84–2.10 (high, contributing to its brilliance)

• Dispersion: 0.051 (very high; more fire than diamond)

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent

• Composition: CaTiSiO5 (calcium titanium silicate)

Notable Characteristics

• Fire & Brilliance: Due to its high dispersion and refractive index, sphene displays spectacular fire.

• Birefringence: Strong double refraction causes a slightly "blurry" look when viewed under magnification.

• Rarity: Sphene is relatively rare in gem quality, making it a collector's stone.

Care

Because of its relatively low hardness, sphene is best suited for pendants, earrings, or collector pieces rather than rings worn daily. Avoid harsh knocks or abrasive cleaning.