Titanite is one of the most outstanding precious and semi-precious stones on the planet. Therefore, it has great commercial, industrial and collectible value, so you should learn a little about this gem. If you like minerals, stones, and rocks, this is the article for you.
What is Titanite?
The Titanite stone consists of a mineral of the silicate class, belonging to the sub-class nesosilicates. Actually, it is a silicate made up of calcium and titanium, with some impurities of aluminum and iron. Its name is due to the large chemical amounts of titanium it contains in its composition.
This material is formed in acid and intermediate igneous rocks, such as diorites, syenites and granites. Likewise, it can be found in some classes of metamorphic rocks, such as schists, gneiss and marble.
Mineralogical characteristics
It is practically impossible to confuse it with another mineral, due to its tonalities and composition. It’s seen in isolated and poorly crystallized crystals, being susceptible to dissolve in hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. The color that characterizes this gem is very varied.
Practically, the tonalities can change between black, yellow, green, brown, gray and others. It has a white streak, a transparent to translucent resinous luster, and a Mohs scale hardness level of 5 to 5.5. Obviously, it is wedge-shaped, a feature from which it derives its name.
In these characteristics it is often confused with sphalerite.
| Titanite | Properties and Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Chemical classification | Calcium titanium silicate. |
| Color | Commonly yellow, green, brown, black, or gray. Rarely pink, red, or orange. |
| Stripe | White. |
| Gloss | Resinous to adamantine. |
| diaphanousness | Translucent to transparent. |
| cleavage | fair to good |
| Mohs hardness | 5 to 5.5 |
| specific gravity | 3.4 to 3.6 |
| diagnostic properties | Gloss, hardness, color, dispersion. |
| Chemical composition | CATiSiO5 |
| crystal system | monoclinic. |
| Applications | Minor titanium ore. Minor gemstone. |
Important deposits
It is a very rare mineral that usually appears in metamorphic and granitic rocks.
Unlike other gems and precious and semi-precious stones, this mineral is found in different parts of the world. On the European continent it can be found in Germany, Austria, Belgium and Belarus as main producers. In America, it is a common mineral in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Canada.
On the other hand, in the Africa region it is produced in Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde and Cameroon. Australia, Fiji and New Zealand are the main producers of the stone in Oceania and finally it can be found in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Armenia in the asia region.
Additionally, it is a mineral present in Antarctica, the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea.
Properties and uses of the Titanite gem
The ore Titanite it is used as a source of industrial titanium oxide and is used to make pigments. Likewise, it is a product much admired as a gem among the precious and semi-precious stones. When it is flawless, it is really beautiful and shiny.
If cut correctly, it emits reflections superior to those of a diamond. However, due to its low level of hardness, it can only be used as pendant and in necklaces. Finally, properties that stimulate the mind and help to think clearly are also attributed to it.
It is a stone associated with vitality, in this aspect it is quite similar to green quartz and green agate.