The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
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.
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.
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.
4. It comes in a variety of hues, but some are preferred.
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.
The Latest
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.