This page gathers the stones in our collection whose origin is recorded as Zimbabwe. At present, the country is represented here by a single variety: Sphene, the gem-quality form of the mineral titanite. Sphene is among the most optically active of all gemstones, and Zimbabwe is one of the notable African sources for the material.
Sphene owes its character to two properties. Its dispersion — the ability to split white light into spectral colours — exceeds that of diamond, producing flashes of red, orange and green across the crown of a well-cut stone. Its strong birefringence also creates a visible doubling of facet edges when viewed through the table, a diagnostic trait rather than a flaw. Body colour typically runs through yellow-green, warm green and honeyed brown, driven by iron and rare-earth content.
When choosing between individual stones, weigh cut quality and body tone above all: a lighter, brighter stone will show dispersion more readily, while deeper greens read richer but calmer. Sphene is softer and more brittle than corundum, so consider the intended setting — protective mountings and earrings or pendants suit it better than daily-worn rings.