Editors

5 Things To Know About … Sphene

EditorsSep 12, 2019

5 Things To Know About … Sphene

Discover what gives the gem a fire that can out-sparkle a diamond, its second name, geographic origins, and more.

20190912_Dery.jpg
A 17.49-carat sphene cut by Roger Dery
Sphene is one of those magical gems that can really enchant you—the best faceted examples display brilliant fire and flash three different colors.

I, for one, love when the gemstone is a vibrant, almost lime green that also shows flashes of orange and yellow.

Sphene belongs to the titanite mineral group, occurring as an accessory mineral in granitic and calcium-rich metamorphic rocks, and is the only member of the group commonly used in jewelry.

Here are five things to know about this unique gemstone.

1. It has another name.

Sphene comes from the Greek word “sphenos,” meaning wedge, a reference to the mineral’s characteristic wedge-shaped crystals.

But it also goes by the name titanite, referencing its place in the mineral group.

According to many online sources, “sphene” is more commonly used in the gem and jewelry sector while geologists and mineralogists tend to use “titanite.”

2. Gem-quality examples are rare.

Sphene is a collector’s gem and is particularly rare when you start talking about a clean stone above 5 carats, the International Gem Society says

As is the case with all gemstones, size creates a premium with this species. 

A 20.96-carat sphene from Mayer & Watt
A 20.96-carat sphene from Mayer & Watt

3. It has more “fire” than a diamond.

Sphene has one of the highest dispersions of any mineral; the term dispersion refers to a mineral’s ability to break white light into spectral colors.

The dispersion of sphene is 0.051. A diamond’s dispersion, by comparison, is 0.044.

It’s this high number that helps to give the stone such an intense “fire,” showcasing multiple colors, especially when it’s well-cut.

Sphene has a refractive index of 1.843-2.110 and a birefringence of 0.100-0.192. Its high birefringence often results in visible doubling of facets within the stone, meaning there looks to be a “fuzziness” inside the gem.

It’s a 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, making it softer than other, more well-known gems like sapphire, ruby and even garnet.

Sphene has distinct cleavage in one direction, but can still create beautiful jewelry when cut and set properly.

It’s also pleochroic, showing more than one color depending on the angle from which you view it; sphene’s transparent specimens are notable for their trichroism, showing three different colors.

The three colors depend on the base stone color, according to Gemdat.org.

A 24.75-carat pear-shaped sphene from Mayer & Watt
A 24.75-carat pear-shaped sphene from Mayer & Watt

4. It comes in a variety of hues, but some are preferred. 

Sphene’s typical color range is yellow, green, orange and brown. There are also pinks and reds, which are rarer, as well as some black and colorless material.

According to IGS, there’s a preference in the market for lighter tones, especially the yellows, light oranges and greens, which best show off the gemstone’s amazing dispersion.

IGS also notes that “chrome sphene”—dark green in color—is the most valuable type as its hue mimics a good emerald.

5. Here are its sources. 

The primary sources of sphene are Canada, Madagascar and Mexico, IGS says. 

Baja California, Mexico produces yellow-brown, brown, green and dark green (chrome) crystals up to 4 inches long, making it one of the world’s main sphene deposits. 

Madagascar produces green crystals, some of which are large in size, while Canada produces brown and black crystals. 

IGS added that Austria and Switzerland also have both produced sphene. 

Other places where sphene has been found are: India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Germany, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, New York state and Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy