Sphene, also known as titanite, is prized by collectors for its exceptional dispersion and fire, which often exceeds that of diamond. It is typically found as distinctive wedge-shaped, monoclinic crystals in metamorphic environments or igneous rocks like pegmatites.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

gemstoneuncommonTitanite family

Sphene

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this sphene?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch sphene with a known reference. Sphene sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, green, brown, red, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: wedge-shaped crystals, prismatic, tabular.

Often confused with

Sphene vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Zircon

Mohs 7.5

How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5-5.5); luster reads adamantine on Sphene and vitreous to adamantine; greasy when metamict on Zircon.

How to tell apart: Chrysoberyl is the harder of the two (Mohs 8.5 vs. 5-5.5); luster reads adamantine on Sphene and vitreous on Chrysoberyl.

Compare →

Often found alongside sphene

Minerals reported to co-occur with sphene. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaTiSiO₅
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 3.52-3.54 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Green Brown Red Black
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Wedge-shaped crystals, prismatic, tabular
Cleavage: Distinct
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Gemstone, Collector
Host rock: metamorphic rocks, granitic pegmatites

Where rockhounds find sphene

9 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Pakistan
Madagascar
Brazil
Canada
Italy
USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: metamorphic rocks, granitic pegmatites. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: wedge-shaped crystals, prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, Arkansas, Maryland. Start trip planning there.

Browse 9 U.S. spots for sphene →

Common questions

How do you identify sphene?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: adamantine. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, green, brown, red.

Where is sphene found?+

Notable localities include Pakistan; Madagascar; Brazil; Canada; Italy.

Can I find sphene in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 9 sphene rockhounding spots across 6 U.S. states. The top states are Utah, Arkansas, Maryland.

What rocks look like sphene?+

Sphene is most often confused with Zircon, Chrysoberyl. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with sphene?+

Sphene commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Feldspar, Chlorite, Anatase, Epidote. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sphene form in?+

Where it forms: metamorphic rocks, granitic pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sphene used for?+

Sphene is used in gemstone, collector.

Find sphene on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.