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Sphene
Color: Brown, yellow, green, brownish-red
Moh’s Hardness: 5-5.5
Refractive Index: 1.995-2.05
Critical Angle: 30.17°
Specific Gravity: 3.52-3.54
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: conchoidal, brittle
Dispersion: Very strong (.051)
Heat Sensitivity: Moderate
Dichroic: Medium to strong
Birefringence (double refraction): Very strong (.105-.135)
Crystal Structure: MonoclinicTreatments: Generally none
What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina oxide on tin or tin oxide on tin lap
Jeff's Comments: Faceting grade material is not common and seldom very big. Orient the stone to avoid cleavage planes (twinning plan) on the table and use a fine lap for cutting. Some facets may take hand lapping to get them cut and polished. Finished stones are quite stunning...
Design Notes: About any Zircon design will work well...
E-mail to inquire or order: jeff@faceters.com
| Amethyst | Aquamarine | Beryl | Citrine | Emerald | Garnet | Opal | Peridot | Sapphire | Scapolite | Spinel | Sunstone | Synthetics | Topaz | Tourmaline | Quartz | Zircon |
| Home | Rough | Equipment | Books | Online Designs | Just Ask Jeff | Order | News List | Contact Me | Links |