Natural sphene, oval cut

Natural Sphene Gemstones

Sphene is the gem name of titanite, a calcium titanium silicate (CaTiSiO5). Its yellow, green, orange and brown stones have a dispersion higher than diamond's, so a well-cut stone throws bright flashes of spectral color, and its resinous to adamantine luster adds to the effect. With a Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5, it is a softer gem best suited to pendants and earrings, and it is valued above all by collectors.

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Gemstone guide

Natural Sphene Gemstones

About sphene

Titanite occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks around the world, but crystals clean and large enough to cut are uncommon. Gem material comes from places such as Madagascar, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Brazil. Heating can turn yellow or brown sphene orange or red.

Did you know?

Sphene takes its name from the Greek for "wedge", after the shape of its crystals. Since 1982 the official mineral name has been titanite, but the gem trade still says sphene.

Sphene's strong dispersion and strong pleochroism rarely show at their best together, so a cutter often has to favor one over the other.

How to recognise sphene

Sphene has very strong double refraction, so looking through the top of a faceted stone you can often see the back facet edges doubled. Strong pleochroism can show different colors from different directions, and its dispersion is higher than diamond's. Eye-clean stones are rare, so inclusions are normal for this gem.

Caring for sphene

Sphene is soft and has distinct cleavage, so it can scratch easily and chip if knocked. Choose protective settings, clean it with lukewarm soapy water and a soft brush, and avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Harder stones can scratch it, so keep it apart from them.

Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.