Description

Detailed Description

With good lustre and incredible quality for its size, the edges of this crystal are razor-sharp. It is a floater, with no point of attachment. The crystal development is interesting, with skeletal growth at the upper right. In the fourth photo I have accentuated that feature with shadows so that you can see it.  In excellent condition – a couple of small nicks on the lower left. The titanite is accompanied by small dark green augite crystals on both sides. More than one way to display this one – it stands perfectly on its own as photographed. This is a super, sharp titanite.

About These Titanites

Titanite is among the most highly-prized minerals in the Bancroft Area and other regions of the Grenville Province. And yet, truly excellent quality specimens are elusive, both locally and on the international market. One reason is that titanite is very brittle. Its wedge-shaped crystals feature long, thin edges that are easily broken, cracked and chipped, by natural processes and also by collectors. Another issue is that titanite crystals from the Grenville are very often incompletely formed or heavily contacted, having often formed contemporaneously with other neighbouring minerals. These titanites are remarkable for their quality and sharpness. The crystals have a black appearance, but on close inspection of the crystal edges under bright light you can see that they are in fact the deepest reddish-brown colour.