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Titanite (Sphene)

Big Photo

Myanmar
40.33 carats
© Palagems

Titanite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 

Titanite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Titanite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.41 cts
Heaviest:40.33 cts
Average:11.66 cts
Total photos:6
Do you have a larger Titanite? Why not upload a photo?
0.41ct to 4.40ct4.40ct to 8.39ct8.39ct to 12.39ct12.39ct to 16.38ct16.38ct to 20.37ct20.37ct to 24.36ct24.36ct to 28.35ct28.35ct to 32.35ct32.35ct to 36.34ct36.34ct to 40.33ct
General Information
Other Names/Trade Names:
Chemical Formula
CaTiSiO
 
5
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Physical Properties of Titanite
Mohs Hardness5 to 5.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity3.50 to 3.55
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Cleavage QualityDistinct
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
Optical Properties of Titanite
Refractive Index1.880 to 2.099
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Birefringence0.108 to 0.190
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
PleochroismGreen stones - strong trichroism: typically colorless - greenish yellow - brownish to yellow;
Orange/brown stones - strong: colorless - yellow - reddish-orange; Yellow stones - distinct: colorless - green-yellow - brownish-orange
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
DispersionStrong
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Yellow, yellowish-green, green, brownish-green, brown
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Causes of ColourGreen, high Fe content. Green (chrome sphene), Cr3+ in octahedral coordination. Pink, Mn2+ in octahedral, for certain Mn/Fe ratios, as well as pink carbonate inclusions
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
LustreAdamantine,Resinous
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Inert
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Titanite
Crystal SystemMonoclinic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
HabitCrystals wedge-shaped, flattened or prismatic, to 16 cm; compact, massive.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Geological Environment
Where found:A common accessory mineral in intermediate and felsic plutonic rocks, pegmatites, and alpine veins. In gneisses, schists, and some skarns; rarely detrital.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Inclusions in Titanite
Straight rows and/or "feathers" of tiny crystals. Actinolite needles
Further Information
Mineral information:Titanite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Kabul
    • Surobi District
Garnier, V., Giuliani, G., Ohnenstetter, D., Fallick, A.E., Dubessy, J., Banks, D., Vinh, H.Q., Lhomme, T., Maluski, H., Pêcher, A., Bakhsh, K.A., Long, P.V., Trinh, P.T., and Schwarz, D. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 169-191.
Australia
 
  • Northern Territory
    • Central Desert Region
McColl and Petersen (1990)
Canada
 
  • Québec
    • Nord-du-Québec
Robinson and Wight (1997)
Kenya
 
  • Taita-Taveta County
Collection of NHM, Vienna
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
      • Mogok Township
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Marble Ark
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
          • Dattaw-taung (Dattaw hill)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Russia
 
  • Perm Krai
    • Gornozavodskii District
      • Saranovskaya Village (Sarany)
Hyrsl and Milisenda (1995)
Sri Lanka
 
  • Southern Province
    • Galle District
      • Bentota
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
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