Titanite (Sphene)
“The geologist's dating tool with diamond-like fire”
Titanite (also called sphene) is a calcium titanium silicate mineral found in many igneous and metamorphic rocks. It has a remarkably high dispersion — even greater than diamond — giving gem-quality stones extraordinary fire, and it's one of the most versatile minerals for uranium-lead radiometric dating.
calcium titanium nesosilicate (CaTiSiO₅)
Baja California (Mexico), Capelinha (Brazil), Austria, Madagascar, Trentino (Italy), Ontario (Canada)
5-5.5
Titanite is a geochronologist's Swiss army knife — it can be dated using uranium-lead methods and simultaneously records the temperature at which it last cooled through its closure temperature, providing both age and thermal history.
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What makes titanite particularly valuable for understanding a rock's thermal history, beyond simply dating it?
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