Sphene (Titanite)

Sphene takes its name from the Greek word for wedge, reflecting the shape of its crystals; mineralogists refer to it as titanite. It is valued by collectors for one specific optical property: dispersion. Sphene has a dispersive power (the ability to split white light into flashes of spectral colour) higher than that of diamond. Well cut, a yellow-green sphene will show a strong display of multicoloured fire. With a hardness of only 5 to 5.5, however, sphene is best reserved for pendants, brooches, and occasional wear.

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