Sphene
TitaniteJewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A green-to-honey stone with more fire than diamond — its dispersion, the splitting of white light into spectral colours, exceeds diamond’s. It is soft for a ring at Mohs 5–5½, so it is a collector’s and pendant stone: bought for how it behaves in light rather than how it survives a day’s wear.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5–5½ [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 3.52–3.53 [1] | — |
| Chemical formula | CaTiSiO5 Read from the species entry, Titanite. "Sphene" is the gem-trade name for the same mineral — from the Greek for wedge, after its crystal shape; "titanite" refers to its titanium. [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic [2] | — |
| Common treatments | Heat treatment, per IGS. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | Poor to moderate for rings. At Mohs 5–5½ it is below the quartz in household dust and will lose polish with daily wear. [1] | — |
| Care cautions | Set it where it will not be knocked. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)