Incredibly beautiful Sphene stone - the main types of stone, photos, its interesting properties, where it is mined and how to store

Sphene is a stone known for many millennia, but only recently appreciated by jewelers. This happened due to the fact that large profitable deposits of this beautiful stone were discovered less than twenty years ago.

History and origin of the name

Even the ancient Egyptians used yellow sparkling gems for rituals in honor of the sun god Ra.

Sphene goes by many names:

• titanite;
• ligurite;
• aspidelitis;
• castellite;
• lederite;
• menakertz;
• spinellin;
• simelin;
• greenovite

The last name was assigned to the red variety found in Italy.

The name "titanite" was given to the mineral because of the titanium it contains. This is one of the main titanium ores, which occasionally contains gem-quality crystals.

The mineral was first described in 1795 by the outstanding chemist and mineralogist Klaproth, who gave it the name "titanite".

In Russia, sphene was first discovered in the Ilmensky mountains in the Southern Urals by Gustav Rose. It happened in 1842.

The name "sphene" comes from the Greek word "sthenos" - a wedge. It is given to this stone because of the triangular shape of the crystals.

Place of Birth

On the Kola Peninsula, it occurs in apatite deposits in the form of crystals up to 1 cm in size, as well as in the form of acicular and fibrous aggregates with a pinkish or yellowish tint.

In the Urals, in the Ilmensky mountains, large crystals up to 15 cm in size are found. Inclusions of apatite, sometimes black mica, hornblende, aegirine, magnetite and ilmenite are often found.

Large lamellar crystals up to 4 cm in size are found on Mount Neroika in the Subpolar Urals along with rock crystal. Very beautiful bright green crystals are mined at the Saranskoye deposit in the Northern Urals.

Transparent crystals of a pale green color are found near St. Gotthard and Binnenthal in the Swiss Alps.

In the Italian Piedmont, wide crystals of reddish and yellowish sphene are found, and in Saint-Marcell, greenowite is found in red color due to the high content of manganese.

There are also deposits in Madagascar, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Norway, Sweden and Austria, but in these countries known finds of gem-quality gems are very rare.

Sphene crystals are also found in Yakutia, China and Pakistan.

Occurs in acidic or alkaline intrusive igneous rocks:

• pegmatites;
• alpine type veins;
• gneisses;
• shale.

Physical Properties

Sphene has a hardness of 5-5.5, luster from diamond to resin. Fragile. Sphene has weak radioactivity. Fracture from uneven to conchoidal, perfect cleavage. The fracture is conchoidal. The syngony is monoclinic. Density 3.5 g/cm3.

Color from white, brown, green, yellow, rose red to black. The stone has visible pleochroism, changes color and shades when the stone is turned.In terms of refractive index (from 1.843 to 2.110 in different directions), it is second only to diamond, which, when properly cut, sparkles like diamonds.

Chemical properties and composition

Sphene is a mixed titanium and calcium silicate. Usually has impurities, which can be very diverse. These are Fe, Y, Mn, Al, Ce, Sr, Na, Nb, Ta, Al, Mg, V, F, Zr, Sn. They are responsible for the color of the mineral.

The chemical formula is CaTiSiO5.

In hot hydrochloric acid, it partially decomposes, in sulfuric acid it completely decomposes, in the latter case gypsum (calcium sulfate) is formed.

Varieties

Sphenes have varieties that differ in composition and color:

• Greenowite is a red variety containing divalent manganese ions;
• Tin-bearing titanite is a variety of titanite containing tin;
• Grotite is a variety containing aluminum and iron;
• Chromium titanite is a bright green variety of titanite that contains chromium.
• Yttrium titanite;
• Keilhautite;
• Yttrotitanite;
• Eucolyte-titanite.

The last four varieties contain yttrium.

magical properties

The ancient Egyptians endowed sphene with many magical properties and great magical power. The priests of the temple of the main Egyptian god Ra wore sphene as an amulet. Yellow crystals sparkling brightly in the sun confirmed their belonging to the solar god. Collars with this stone were certainly worn on sacred animals to protect them from misfortunes.

Modern magicians also highly value this gem, which can open the third eye and open the way to gaining secret knowledge.

Sphene develops intuition and insight, stimulates intellectual activity, increases the ability to concentrate on a goal and find contacts with the right people, that is, all the qualities necessary for businessmen and organizers.

A golden ring with a sphene will help gain wealth and good luck in love affairs.

Earrings with a green gem contribute to the development of inner flair.

In a pendant or pendant, sphene will provide reliable protection against energy vampires.

Medicinal properties

Sphene has the following medicinal properties:

• helps to restore strength after illness;
• enhances immunity;
• heals from osteoporosis;
• relieves toothache and headache;
• restores bone tissue;
• cures skin diseases;
• reduces high temperature;
• improves blood composition;
• relieves swelling;
• increases muscle tone;
• calms the nervous system.

Green gems will relieve spasms of cerebral vessels, high blood pressure, help relieve stress and nervous tension, and even have a beneficial effect on mental disorders.

Yellow sphene cleanses the body of toxins, stimulates mental activity, improves appetite, and helps to cope with the poor functioning of the digestive system.

Zodiac signs

This stone is classified as universal, which is suitable for all signs of the zodiac.

stone care

• Sphene should be protected from drops, impacts, heat and bright sunlight.
• It should be stored separately from other stones wrapped in velvet or other soft cloth.
• You can wash it with water or a mild soapy solution, then immediately dry it with a soft cloth or dry cloth.
• It is worth removing the gem before going to the beach, to the bathhouse and to the pool.

This very rare gem is worth buying if your budget allows. Bright diamond highlights will warm your soul even on the rainiest rainy day.

Photo of Sphene stone