Strontium Titanate

Strontium Titanate

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Strontium Titanate Polished Strontium Titanate Jewelry

Strontium Titanate is a diamond simulant developed in the early 1950’s and patented in 1953. It is sold in the trade as Fabulite and Diagem. In 1982 Strontium Titanate’s natural analog tausonite was discovered in eastern Siberia, Russia. The tausonite crystals are too small in be used as a gemstone. The dispersion of Strontium Titanate is four times higher than diamond and is responsible for vibrant rainbow-like flashes of color.

General Information

Common Name
Strontium Titanate
Species
Strontium Titanate
Transparency
Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: Extreme Fire Value: 0.190
Refractive Index
Over The Limit 2.409
Optic Character
NA
Optic Sign
NA
Polariscope Reaction
Singly Refractive (SR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
5-6
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
5.110-5.150 Typical:5.130
Toughness
Fair
Inclusions
Fabulite strontium titanate sometimes contain small gas bubbles. Stones might show polishing marks or scratches due to low mohs hardness.
Luster
SubAdamantine, Vitreous
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
strontium titanium oxide
Chemical Formula
SrTiO3
Crystal System
Cubic
Chemistry Classification
Oxide

Strontium Titanate Colors

  • Blue Strontium Titanate
    Blue
  • Brown Strontium Titanate
    Brown
  • Colorless Strontium Titanate
    Colorless
  • Green Strontium Titanate
    Green
  • Orange Strontium Titanate
    Orange
  • Purple Strontium Titanate
    Purple
  • Red Strontium Titanate
    Red
  • White Strontium Titanate
    White
  • Yellow Strontium Titanate
    Yellow

Alternate Names

Fabulite, Wellington, Diagem, Dynagem, Jewelite, Kenneth Lane Jewel, Lusitgem, Marvelite, Pauline Trigere, Rossini Jewel, Sorella, Starilian, Strontium, Testotitianate , Zenithite

Countries of Origin

Russian Federation; Mozambique; Unknown; China; United States of America; Thailand; Switzerland

History

Throughout recorded history we have sought diamond simulants. Strontium titanate was born to sparkle and to please. High dispersion is what makes strontium titanate such a dazzler. We love the dance of light in this stone. While strontium titanate was originally believed to only be available via laboratory creation, it was discovered in natural form in the 1980's in Siberia (named tausonite in honor of a Russian geochemist). However, there was one problem with the crystals found - they were SO small that they couldn't be cut into gems! Lab-created stones to the rescue!

Care

Strontium titanate is a softer stone (5 - 5 ½ on the Mohs scale), exercise care in cleaning. No harsh chemicals. Dry with a soft cloth and store in a protected cloth bag.