Sphene, also known as Titanite, is a brilliant yellowish-green, green or brown gemstone of high luster, unique color shades and, with brilliant cut, an intensive fire that can approximate diamond. While in demand for a long time, sphene has been a rare gem on the market. New deposits have now increased market quantities.
Sphene is named from the Greek word for "wedge", because of its typical wedge shaped crystal habit. The mineralogical name "Titanite" derives from its titanium contents.
With a hardness rating of 5 - 5.5 on the Mohs scale, sphene is a soft gemstone that needs care and qualifies best only for pendants, earrings or brooches.
Sphene color can be changed to red or orange through heating.Sphene colors Buying Sphene Where is Sphene found? Common Sphene Treatments World-famous Sphene Sphene gemology Sphene legends & lore Sphene colors A brilliant yellowish-green or green is the most desired color. Sphene also comes in brown and reddish shades as well. Sphene color can be changed to red or orange through heating. Buying Sphene Crystals of sphene are fairly small and typically don't exceed the two carats range.
Color A brilliant yellowish-green or green is the most desired color.
Lighting Sphene is strongly pleochroic, displaying at least three colors (colorless, greenish-yellow, reddish) when looked at from different angles.
Clarity Sphene is transparent to opaque. An eye clean gemstone makes a fine piece of jewelry.
Cut The brilliant cut serves the potential of "fire" in a sphene best. Depending on the clarity sphene is also shaped in cabochon and round cut. Sphene location and deposits Sphene deposits are found in: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and the United States. Common Sphene treatments Sphene color can be changed to red or orange through heating. World-famous Sphene Sphene, not commonly seen, hasn't gained any fame as of yet. Sphene gemology Species: Titanite Color: Yellow, brown, green, reddish Chemical composition: CaTiSiO5 calcium titanium silicate Crystal system: (Monoclinic) platy Hardness: 5 - 5.5 (Mohs scale) Specific gravity: 3.52 - 3.54 Refractive index: 1.843 - 2.110 Birefringence: +0.100 to +0.192 Color of streak: White, Absorption spectrum: 586, 582 Fluorescence: None The Sphene zodiac, myth & legend As a lesser-known gemstone, sphene produces a blank page in the books of myth, history, wisdom, the zodiac scheme or the relation between planets and mankind. |