Titanite sphene crystal 1.5g, Afghanistan

The physical properties of titanite are very interesting. Its crystals are wedge-shaped and often end with pyramidal peaks. The color of titanite can be green, yellow, brown, orange, or red, and sometimes colorless crystals are found. A characteristic radiation can be observed in transparent or semi-transparent samples, an effect caused by the refraction of light in crystals. This mineral is a typical representative of the silicate group, which are minerals made up of silicon and oxygen. It occurs mainly in rocks with a high calcium content, such as gneisses and granulites. Titanite forms under high temperatures and pressures in the earth's crust, and is often found together with other minerals such as garnets, diopsides or andradites.