The facts
What sphene actually is
The species behind sphene is titanite, CaTiSiO₅; it forms in the monoclinic system.
Iron and rare earths; dispersion 0.051, higher than diamond is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.843–2.110 and a specific gravity of about 3.45–3.55, with distinct cleavage.
Where sphene comes from
Commercial material comes from Madagascar, Pakistan, Brazil and Austria.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How sphene is treated
Some heating.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What sphene is confused with
Watch for Demantoid, Zircon and Chrysoberyl — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.843–2.110 and specific gravity 3.45–3.55 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What sphene is used for
The trades that buy sphene are mineral collecting and jewellery. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 5–5.5; cleavage distinct. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What sphene costs
Expect roughly $30–500/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is sphene treated, and how?
Some heating.
Where does sphene come from?
Madagascar, Pakistan, Brazil and Austria. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is sphene hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does sphene cost?
Indicatively $30–500/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is sphene confused with?
Most often Demantoid, Zircon and Chrysoberyl. A refractive index of 1.843–2.110 and a specific gravity near 3.45–3.55 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for sphene?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about sphene