The sphene is a fine collector gemstone that can display a fire of colors when is brilliant faceted.

Sphene 21.10 cts on ebay

1. History

A short briefing:

The sphene was discovered in 1795 and named titanite by M. H. Klaproth, because of the titanium content.

In 1801, R. J. Haiiy changes the name into sphene, coming from the Greek sphenos, meaning wedge, due to the typical crystal form.

In 1982 The International Mineralogical Association Commission of New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN) imposes the name titanite, but the name sphene still predominates.

Today, because of the recent discoveries of more deposits, the sphene is not a rare collector mineral anymore. The stone can be found in: Pakistan, India, Russia, Italy, China, Brazil, Switzerland, Madagascar, Austria, Canada, USA and other countries.

Rough sphene from Ural Mts., Russia

Because of its high dispersion and refractive index, a faceted sphene can draw light apart into its constituent colors.

Russian Sphene 14.50ct

2. Properties

These are the structural properties of the sphene:

chemistry: CaTiSiO5

crystallography: monoclinic

refractive index: 2.054 – 1.880

hardness: 5 to 5.5

specific gravity: 3.50 – 3.54

cleavage: weak, in two directions

heat sensitive: yes

enhancemets: none

radioactivity: mild

3. Inclusions

Pictures of inclusions in the stone:

“Crystals and platelets” inclusions

“Fingerprint” inclusion

“Dubbing junctions facets” inclusions

“Platelets” inclusion

“Fingerprint” inclusions

4. Color

The sphene color can be reddish brown, gray, yellow, green or red.

The green color is given by the chronium and the rose-red one by the magnese impurities.

Sphene colors

5.Prices

Prices for the sphene stone vary greatly according to size and quality:

1 ct. medium Orange, common, poor quality – 26.83 $

1 ct. medium dark yellowish Green, rare, best quality – 335.02 $

5 ct. medium orangey Yellow, common, poor quality – 212.63 $

5 ct. medium yellowish Green, rare, best quality – 1,618.94 $

10 ct. medium greenish Yellow, common, poor quality – 617.32 $

10 ct. medium dark yellowish Green, rare, best quality – 7,203.43 $

15 ct. medium light slightly yellowish Green, poor quality – 1,058.27 $

15 ct. medium yellowish Green, rare, best quality – 8,963.97 $

22 ct. medium Orange, common, poor quality – 2,173.91 $

22 ct. medium dark yellowish Green, rare, best quality – 27,150.23 $