Titanite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Strekeisen" title="User:Strekeisen">Strekeisen</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameTitanite
Chemical FormulaCaTiSiO₅
Mohs Hardness5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lusteradamantine
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {110}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.52
Colorsyellow, green, brown, black, grey, pink, red
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBrazil
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesgemstone, collector's mineral, minor source of titanium
Associated Mineralsquartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene
Rarityuncommon
Description
A microscopic image under crossed nicols shows a lozenge-shaped, brown titanite crystal with a fractured appearance, embedded within a granite thin section. Surrounding mineral grains display vibrant interference colors.
Geological Context
Titanite is a common accessory mineral found in various igneous rocks, such as granite, syenite, and diorite, and in metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist, forming during crystallization or metamorphism.
