SPHENE AND DIAMOND RING

Designed as an oval sphene mounted between stepped baguette diamond shoulders, size O.

Webster, R. Gems, Second Edition, Butterworths, London 1970, p299.

Liddicoat, Jr. R. T. Hanbook of Gem Identification, 11th Edition, GIA 1981, P271.

Sphene, or Titanite derives its names from the Greek sphen, meaning wedge because of its typical wedge shaped monoclinic crystal habit. Cut sphenes possess an adamantine lustre and pronounced fire, otherwise only seen in diamonds, and are best shown when facetted in the brilliant or mixed-cut styles. To find one mounted as a jewel is rare due to its relative softness but makes an attractive and unusual addition to a gem connoisseur's collection.