A brilliantly transparent gem, sphene has fire greater than that of diamond! This gem is named from the Greek word for “wedge,” as its crystals are typically wedge shaped, but may be referred to by its mineral name, titanite. Another characteristic sphene possesses is birefringence, or double refraction, meaning that light splits into two rays as it passes through the gem. As a result, the back facets appear as double images, giving the gem a soft, hazy appearance, similar to the doubling seen in zircon.

Classification

• Common Name: Sphene

• Species Sphene

• Variety

• Colors Yellow, Green, Brown, Orange, Red

• Alternate Names: Titanite, Chrome Sphene

• Gemstone Groups

• Key Separations: OTL RI reading, very strong eye visible doubling, possibly spectra

• Comments Chrome sphene is intense green in color.

Sphene Chemistry and Crystallography:

• Chemical Name: Calcium titanium silicate

• Chemical Formula: CaTiSiO5

• Synthesis

• Crystal System: Monoclinic

• Classification Silicate

• Nature Natural

• Crystallinity Crystalline

Sphene Physical properties:

• Hardness 5-5.5

• Streak White

• Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.54 Typical:3.52

• Toughness Varies

• Inclusions Sphene occasionally contain tiny crystals that aline in straight rows or “feathers”, natural inclusions, actinolite needles and twinning is common. Stones have strong dispersion and eye-visible doubling.

• Luster SubAdamantine

• Stability

• Fracture Conchoidal, Splintery

• Cleavage Good, in one direction

Item Specifics:

• TREATMENT NONE 100% NATURAL

• COLOR GREEN MULTICOLOR SPARKLE

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