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Sphene (titanite)
Title
Sphene (titanite)
Description
Formula
CaTi[SiO4](O, OH, F)
Structure
Orthosilicate
Crystal System
Crystal system: monoclinic (+)
Physical Properties
Colour in hand specimen: colourless, yellow, green, brown or black
Cleavage: one, good
Hardness: 5
Optical Properties
Colour in plane polarised light: colourless, yellow or typically brown
Pleochroism: moderate if coloured
Relief: high
Birefringence: 0.100-0.192; >4th order
Extinction: inclined
Twinning: simple twins; occasionally lamellar twins
Rock Specimens
Mineral Name
sphene
titanite
titanite
Advanced notes
Diamond shaped cross sections are common
Citation
“Sphene (titanite),” 1A Collections, accessed April 9, 2024, https://wserv3.esc.cam.ac.uk/p1acollections/items/show/44.