sphene |
(SFEEN)
|
. BUYERS’S OVERVIEW:
Sphene (mineralogical name Titanite) is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone and is rarity in the gem market. The availability of Sphene is very limited and while good size and color stones are available, they are scarce; typically, gems do not exceed 2 carats. Sphene is found in a number of naturally occurring colors including yellow, green, brown, orange and (rarely) red, with a brilliant yellowish-green or green being the most desired color.
Sphene is strongly pleochroic and at least three colors can be seen as gem moves, it must truly be seen to be believed.
COLOR:
Yellow, green, brown, orange and (rarely) red.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to translucent: Sphene is usually included.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 10 carats but gems typically do not exceed 2 carats.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
No treatment is used on Sphene. Heat treatment may occasionally be used to produce red or orange. The stability of this treatment is not known.
HARDNESS:
5 to 5½ on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Sphene is a soft gem and is best suited for use in earrings and pendants. Sphene can be used in a ring for occasional use if it is placed in a protected setting.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: risky
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: will be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: very sensitive to abrupt changes in heat, the stone may fracture.
Stability to Light: stable after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
The name Sphene comes from the Greek word for “wedge”, because of its typical wedge shaped crystal structure. Sphene has the mineralogical name “Titanite” due to the titanium that is found in the stone. Additionally some stones get their color from Didymium, a rare earth element.
The name Sphene has a confusing history. The gem was identified about 1787 and named “Sphene” in 1801 by French mineralogist, Rene Just Hauy. In the 1982, the International Mineralogical Assoc. decided to use the name “titanite” (for its titanium content), instead of “sphene”. Today the gem is known by both names.
Along with its unique color shades, Sphene brings to the table a fire greater than diamond. When you hold a gemstone and turn it in the light, some will display flashes of color, called dispersion. Diamond is famed for this quality, but Sphene has a higher dispersion value than diamond. Sphene is also strongly pleochroic, displaying at least three colors (colorless, greenish-yellow, red), as the gem moves. The luster of Sphene is adamantine which means “like diamond”. Few gems have this luster; diamond, Demantoid Garnet (the name means “diamond-like”) and Sphene. A fine Sphene is a fantastic display of color and light.
DESIGNATION:
A lesser-known gemstone, Sphene has no traditions associated with it yet.
Sphene (mineralogical name Titanite) is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone and is rarity in the gem market. The availability of Sphene is very limited and while good size and color stones are available, they are scarce; typically, gems do not exceed 2 carats. Sphene is found in a number of naturally occurring colors including yellow, green, brown, orange and (rarely) red, with a brilliant yellowish-green or green being the most desired color.
Sphene is strongly pleochroic and at least three colors can be seen as gem moves, it must truly be seen to be believed.
COLOR:
Yellow, green, brown, orange and (rarely) red.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to translucent: Sphene is usually included.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 10 carats but gems typically do not exceed 2 carats.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
No treatment is used on Sphene. Heat treatment may occasionally be used to produce red or orange. The stability of this treatment is not known.
HARDNESS:
5 to 5½ on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Sphene is a soft gem and is best suited for use in earrings and pendants. Sphene can be used in a ring for occasional use if it is placed in a protected setting.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: risky
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: will be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: very sensitive to abrupt changes in heat, the stone may fracture.
Stability to Light: stable after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
The name Sphene comes from the Greek word for “wedge”, because of its typical wedge shaped crystal structure. Sphene has the mineralogical name “Titanite” due to the titanium that is found in the stone. Additionally some stones get their color from Didymium, a rare earth element.
The name Sphene has a confusing history. The gem was identified about 1787 and named “Sphene” in 1801 by French mineralogist, Rene Just Hauy. In the 1982, the International Mineralogical Assoc. decided to use the name “titanite” (for its titanium content), instead of “sphene”. Today the gem is known by both names.
Along with its unique color shades, Sphene brings to the table a fire greater than diamond. When you hold a gemstone and turn it in the light, some will display flashes of color, called dispersion. Diamond is famed for this quality, but Sphene has a higher dispersion value than diamond. Sphene is also strongly pleochroic, displaying at least three colors (colorless, greenish-yellow, red), as the gem moves. The luster of Sphene is adamantine which means “like diamond”. Few gems have this luster; diamond, Demantoid Garnet (the name means “diamond-like”) and Sphene. A fine Sphene is a fantastic display of color and light.
DESIGNATION:
A lesser-known gemstone, Sphene has no traditions associated with it yet.