{"title":"Titanite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitanite\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely known in the gem trade as \u003cstrong\u003esphene\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a calcium titanium silicate (CaTiSiO5) belonging to the nesosilicate class. Crystallizing in the monoclinic system, it forms distinctive flattened, wedge-shaped crystals with an adamantine to resinous luster that collectors prize alongside its exceptional optical dispersion — often described as exceeding that of diamond, producing a fiery multicolored flash in transparent material. Colors range widely from yellow, brown, and green to the rare chromium-bearing \"chrome sphene,\" an intense emerald-green variety colored by \u003cstrong\u003echromium\u003c\/strong\u003e; iron and rare-earth elements are responsible for the more common yellow-brown tones. Beyond its ornamental appeal, titanite is an important petrologic accessory mineral in granites, syenites, and metamorphic schists, and is used by geochronologists as a \u003cstrong\u003eU-Pb\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eTh-Pb\u003c\/strong\u003e geochronometer to date metamorphic events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mineral's type locality is the graphite mines of \u003cstrong\u003ePassau\u003c\/strong\u003e, Bavaria, Germany, where it was first described in 1795. Classic Alpine-cleft specimens come from the \u003cstrong\u003eTavetsch\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eOberalp Pass\u003c\/strong\u003e areas of Switzerland, the \u003cstrong\u003eZillertal\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHabach\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eFelben Valleys\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Hohe Tauern in Austria, and the \u003cstrong\u003eMont Blanc Massif\u003c\/strong\u003e in France — all yielding the sharp, lustrous crystals that built titanite's reputation among European mineral collectors. Exceptional gem-grade material has since emerged from further afield: the \u003cstrong\u003eShigar\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eTormiq Valleys\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eSkardu\u003c\/strong\u003e area of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, produce large green-gold, highly transparent crystals; \u003cstrong\u003eAnkarafa\u003c\/strong\u003e in Madagascar supplies olive-green and gem-quality stones; and \u003cstrong\u003eCapelinha\u003c\/strong\u003e in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is noted for twinned, gemmy yellowish-green specimens. Other notable sources include \u003cstrong\u003eTory Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada, producing brown and black crystals; the \u003cstrong\u003eDodo Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in Russia's Ural region; \u003cstrong\u003eImilchil\u003c\/strong\u003e, Morocco, known for brown crystals on albite matrix; and \u003cstrong\u003eMettur\u003c\/strong\u003e, Tamil Nadu, India. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollectors seek titanite both as sharp, undamaged crystal specimens from classic Alpine and Himalayan localities and as faceted sphene gemstones prized for their unmatched fire. Its association with minerals such as \u003cstrong\u003ealbite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eadularia\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003echlorite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eepidote\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003equartz\u003c\/strong\u003e in Alpine-type fissures makes fine, well-formed titanite crystals a benchmark for cleft and cavity mineralization, while twinned Brazilian and Pakistani crystals remain highly sought after for their size, color saturation, and gemological clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"af3-titanite-diopside","title":"TITANITE, DIOPSIDE, CLINOZOISITE \u0026 CLINOCHLORE – Rare Find, Bellecombe, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eA superb multi-mineral association bringing together Titanite, Diopside, Clinozoisite and Clinochlore on a single matrix, from the celebrated rodingite outcrops of Bellecombe in the Aosta Valley. The specimen shows well-formed crystal faces across all four species, with a striking contrast of lustre and tone that makes this classic Alpine locality piece a fine addition to a systematic or aesthetic collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46 x 26 x 12 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bellecombe, Châtillon, Aosta Valley, Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45732522983533,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/AGC_20240726_200303051.jpg?v=1787997037"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/titanite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}