Sphene Gem Guide and Properties Chart

Sphene, better known to mineralogists as titanite, is a spectacular gemstone prized by collectors for its diamond-like luster and high dispersion. The name sphene is derived from a Greek rook meaning wedge for the shape of its crystals. The color can range from yellow to red, brown, brownish, or yellowish green to green, and black. Sphene has a high birefringence and shows doubling of facet junctions.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Sphene

Species

Titanite

Transparency

Opaque-Translucent

Dispersion

Strength: Strong Fire Value: 0.051

Refractive Index

Over The Limit 1.843-2.110 Tolerance: (+0.020/-0.020)

Birefringence

0.100- 0.160

Optic Character

Biaxial

Optic Sign

Positive

Polariscope Reaction

Doubly Refractive (DR)

Fluorescence

SWUV: Inert to weak brown
LWUV: Inert

Pleochroism

Trichroic, (in green gems) strong greenish yellow, yellow to brown, and colorless; (in brown gems) strong yellow, reddish-orange, and brownish yellow and brownish orange, (in yellow gems) moderate to strong greenish yellow, brownish-orange, and colorless

Hardness

5-5.5

Streak

White

Specific Gravity

3.600-3.480 Typical:3.520

Toughness

Fair

Inclusions

Sphene occasionally contains tiny crystals that align in straight rows or "feathers", natural inclusions, actinolite needles. Twinning is common. Stones have strong dispersion and eye-visible doubling.

Luster

SubAdamantine, Resinous, Adamantine

Fracture

Conchoidal, Subconchoidal, Splintery

Cleavage

Good, in one direction

Chemical Name

calcium titanium silicate

Chemical Formula

CaTiSiO₅

Crystal System

Monoclinic

Chemistry Classification

Silicate

Sphene Colors

Yellow
Orange
Multi-color
Brown
Black
Gray
Colorless
Green

Alternate Names

Titanite, Chrome Sphene

Countries of Origin

Viet Nam; United States of America; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Zimbabwe; Zambia; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Care

Sphene is a soft stone, so be mindful of scratching.