SPHENE

Also known as titanite, sphene has a very intense fire due to its high dispersion, which is even higher than diamond. Like diamond it has an adamantine luster and is strongly pleochroic due to which it shows three different colors. Sphene has high birefringence and thus it shows strong doubling of the back facets. As sphene is a soft and too brittle stone it is confined to collectors’ purpose and is not used in jewelry. Sphene is mainly found in Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Madagascar and Brazil.

Crystal Structure: Monoclinic

Hardness: 5

Specific Gravity: 3.53

Refractive Index: 1.84-2.03

Colors: Yellow, brown and green.

Luster: Adamantine

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