Titanite

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Titanite (Sphene)
Titanite crystals on Amphibole - Ochtendung, Eifel, Germany.jpg
Titanite crystals on amphibole (image width 2 mm)
General
Category nesosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)		 CaTiSiO5
Strunz classification 9.AG.15
Crystal symmetry Monoclinic prismatic
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group: P 21/a
Unit cell a = 7.057 Å, b = 8.707 Å, c = 6.555 Å; β = 113.81°; Z=4
Identification
Colour Reddish brown, gray, yellow, green, or red
Crystal habit Flattened wedge-shaped crystals, also massive
Crystal system Monoclinic
Twinning Contact and penetration on {100}, lamellar on {221}
Cleavage Distinct on [110], parting on {221}
Fracture Sub-conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness 5 to 5.5
Lustre Subadamantine tending to slightly resinous
Streak Reddish white
Diaphaneity Translucent to transparent
Specific gravity 3.48 to 3.60
Optical properties Biaxial (+)
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 to 40° (measured)
Dispersion r > v strong
Other characteristics Radioactive - may be metamict
References [1][2][3][4]

Titanite, or sphene (from the Greek sphenos (σφηνώ), meaning wedge[4]), 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.[5]

Nomenclature

The International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN) adopted the name titanite and 'discredited' the name sphene[6] as of 1982,[7] although commonly papers and books initially identify the mineral using both names.[8][9] Sphene was the most commonly used name until the IMA decision, although both were well known.[4] Some authorities[10] think it is less confusing as the word is used to describe any chemical or crystal with oxidized titanium such as the rare earth titanate pyrochlores series[11] and many of the minerals with the perovskite structure.[12] The name sphene continues to be publishable in peer-reviewed scientific literature, e.g. a paper by Hayden et al. was published in early 2008 in the journal Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology.[10] Sphene persists as the informal name for titanite gemstones.

Physical properties

Green titanite crystal cluster from the Tormiq Valley, Haramosh Mountains, Pakistan

Titanite, which is named for its titanium content, occurs as translucent to transparent, reddish brown, gray, yellow, green, or red monoclinic crystals. These crystals are typically sphenoid in habit and are often twinned. Possessing a subadamantine tending to slightly resinous lustre, titanite has a hardness of 5.5 and a weak cleavage. Its specific gravity varies between 3.52 and 3.54. Titanite's refractive index is 1.885-1.990 to 1.915-2.050 with a strong birefringence of 0.105 to 0.135 (biaxial positive) ; under the microscope this leads to a distinctive high relief which combined with the common yellow-brown colour and lozenge-shape cross-section makes the mineral easy to identify. Transparent specimens are noted for their strong trichroism, the three colours presented being dependent on body colour. Owing to the quenching effect of iron, sphene exhibits no fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Some titanite has been found to be metamict, in consequence of structural damage due to radioactive decomposition of the often significant thorium content. When viewed in thin section with a petrographic microscope, pleochroic halos can be observed in minerals surrounding a titanite crystal.

Occurrence

Titanite occurs as a common accessory mineral in intermediate and felsic igneous rocks and associated pegmatites. It also occurs in metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schists and skarns.[1] Source localities include: Pakistan; Italy; Russia; China; Brazil; Tujetsch, St. Gothard, Switzerland;[4] Madagascar; Tyrol, Austria; Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada; Sanford, Maine, Gouverneur, Diana, Rossie, Fine, Pitcairn, Brewster, New York[4] and California in the USA.

Uses

Titanite is a source of titanium dioxide, TiO2, used in pigments.

As a gemstone, titanite is usually some shade of chartreuse, but can be brown or black. Hue depends on Fe content, with low Fe content causing green and yellow colours, and high Fe content causing brown or black hues. Zoning is typical in titanite. It is prized for its exceptional dispersive power (0.051, B to G interval) which exceeds that of diamond.[13] Jewelry use of titanite is limited, both because the stone is uncommon in gem quality and is relatively soft.

Titanite can also be used as a U-Pb geochronometer, specifically in metamorphic terranes.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. ↑ Webmineral data
  3. ↑ Mindat
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Deer, Howie & Zussman, (1966) , pp17-20 : 'Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals', 1966, ISBN 0-582-44210-9
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ http://www.gemsociety.org/article/sphene-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/ Titanite Gemological Information
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