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.
Is this sphene?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry 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.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sphene leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sphene typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, green, brown, red, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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.
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
- 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
- Typical price
- $50-500 per carat for high-quality specimens
Where rockhounds find sphene
9 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Pakistan
- Madagascar
- Brazil
- Canada
- Italy
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, granitic pegmatites country — that is the host setting where sphene typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a wedge-shaped crystals, prismatic, tabular habit, so 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.
Common questions
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Find sphene on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
