AllMineralsRock
Titanite
Titanite is a popular mineral composed of calcium titanium silicate. [1]
Titanite: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Titanite:- Transparency: Titanite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, titanite is monoclinic.
- Luster: In terms of luster, titanite can be adamantine or greasy.
- Streak: Titanite streaks white.
- Specific Gravity: Titanite's specific gravity ranges from 3.4 to 3.6.
Titanite: Background and Summary
Titanite, also known as sphene, is a calcium titanium nesosilicate mineral. It is commonly found in metamorphic and igneous rocks, as well as in some hydrothermal veins. Titanite is usually green, brown, or yellow in color, but it can also be colorless or black. It has a hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 3.4 to 3.6. Titanite is often confused with other green minerals such as epidote and zoisite, but it can be distinguished by its higher refractive index and birefringence.Titanite has several uses in different fields. In the field of geology, it is used as an indicator mineral for the presence of rare earth elements, as well as for dating rocks and minerals using the U-Pb method. In the field of jewelry, titanite is used as a gemstone, particularly in green or yellow varieties. It is also used in ceramics and as a pigment in paints.
Titanite: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Titanite (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | CaTiSiO5 |
| Chemical Composition | calcium titanium silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.4, 3.6 |
| Streak | white |
| Crystallography | monoclinic |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: brown, green sometimes: white, yellow less common: gray, pink, orange, purple, colorless |
Titanite: FAQ
Q: Is titanite radioactive?A: No, titanite is not radioactive.
Q: Is titanite rare?
A: Titanite is not considered a rare mineral, but it is not commonly found in large quantities.
Q: Can titanite be used as a substitute for diamonds?
A: No, titanite cannot be used as a substitute for diamonds as they have different physical and chemical properties.
Q: Is titanite toxic?
A: No, titanite is not toxic.
Sources
- Klein, C., & Dutrow, B. (2017). Manual of Mineral Science. John Wiley & Sons.- "Titanite." Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/min-3975.html
- "Titanite: The mineral sphene information and pictures." Minerals.net. https://www.minerals.net/mineral/titanite.aspx
- Titanite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanite
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