Titanite is highly prized by collectors for its exceptional dispersion, which often exceeds that of diamond, giving it intense fire when faceted. It commonly occurs as distinct, wedge-shaped monoclinic crystals in metamorphic or igneous host rocks. While beautiful, its lower hardness makes it a delicate choice for jewelry, often categorized under its historical name, Sphene.
Is this titanite?
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 titanite with a known reference. Titanite 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. Titanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Titanite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, green, black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: wedge-shaped crystals, tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Titanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5-5.5).
How to tell apart: Chrysoberyl is the harder of the two (Mohs 8.5 vs. 5-5.5); luster reads adamantine on Titanite and vitreous on Chrysoberyl.
Often found alongside titanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with titanite. 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, Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector, Ore of Titanium
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Gneiss and Schist, And Igneous Rocks Like Syenite and Granite
- Typical price
- $20-200 for specimens, $100-1000+ per carat for gem quality
Where rockhounds find titanite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Pakistan
- Madagascar
- Canada
- Russia
- Austria
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist, and igneous rocks like syenite and granite country — that is the host setting where titanite typically forms. If you start seeing chlorite, epidote, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a wedge-shaped crystals, tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maine, New York, North Carolina — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify titanite?+
Where is titanite found?+
Can I find titanite in the United States?+
How much is titanite worth?+
What rocks look like titanite?+
What minerals are found with titanite?+
What kind of rock does titanite form in?+
What is titanite used for?+
Find titanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
