Description

Detailed Description

This is a razor-sharp titanite crystal 4.3 cm tall, standing up against a scapolite crystal section. (The scapolites from this locality are often poorly formed and incomplete.)  The titanite is completely crystallized all-around, but not completely formed. The piece is in excellent condition, there is no damage to the titanite (at the back, it is skeletal and morphology reflects contact with something else, but this is not damage).  Beautiful titanite, exceptionally sharp for its size.

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.