Titanites

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Gemstone-quality minerals that are calcium titanium silicates, often brown, green or yellow and also known as sphene
2. Calcium titanium silicate mineral specimens, typically wedge-shaped crystals prized for their brilliance and strong dispersion of light
3. Crystalline mineral grains of calcium titanium silicate, commonly called sphene, that serve as a source of titanium

Etymology: "Titanites" is simply the plural of "titanite," the mineral also called sphene, a calcium titanium silicate. The singular "titanite" carries the metal's name, titanium, which was itself named after the Titans of Greek myth, and the mineral takes its name from that element. Because the plural form is used for more than one specimen or variety, it appears mostly in mineralogical contexts where several samples or types are being discussed.