Titanite (Sphene) | |
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General | |
Category | Nesosilicate |
Formula (repeating unit) | CaTiSiO5 |
IMA symbol | Ttn[1] |
Strunz classification | 9.AG.15 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H–M symbol) |
Space group | P21/a |
Unit cell | a = 7.057 Å, b = 8.707 Å c = 6.555 Å; β = 113.81°; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Colour | Reddish brown, brown, gray, black, yellow, green, or red, colourless |
Crystal habit | Flattened wedge-shaped crystals, also massive |
Twinning | Contact and penetration on {100}, lamellar on {221} |
Cleavage | Distinct on [110], parting on {221} |
Fracture | Sub-conchoidal |
Mohs scale hardness | 5–5.5 |
Luster | Sub-adamantine tending to slightly resinous |
Streak | Reddish white |
Diaphaneity | Translucent to transparent |
Specific gravity | 3.48–3.60 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+); very high relief |
Refractive index | nα = 1.843–1.950 nβ = 1.870–2.034 nγ = 1.943–2.110 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.100–0.160 |
Pleochroism | Strong: X = nearly colorless; Y = yellow to green; Z = red to yellow-orange |
2V angle | 17–40° (measured) |
Dispersion | r > v strong |
Other characteristics | Radioactive – may be metamict |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Titanite, or sphene (from Ancient Greek σφηνώ (sphēnṓ) 'wedge'),[5] is a calcium titanium nesosilicate mineral, CaTiSiO5. Trace impurities of iron and aluminium are typically present. Also commonly present are rare earth metals including cerium and yttrium; calcium may be partly replaced by thorium.[6]