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Synthetic Titanate
This is one of several fanciful names coined
for this artificial product issued on the market beginning
in 1955. It appeared at the time to be a first-rate imitation
of diamond, but after only a few years has been rendered almost
obsolete by products with better characteristics (above all,
hardness), which look more like diamond and cost less.
Appearance It has considerable
luster, equal to that of diamond, when the facets and edges
have not been damaged by use. Because of its exceptional dispersion,
it looks G highly iridescent in strong light. In diffuse light,
it is perfectly colorless. It is singly refractive like diamond.
The facet edges are often visibly damaged due to its brittleness
and low hardness. It is always cut into brilliants.
Distinctive features When viewed with a lens
from above in strong light the iridescence is characteristic,
being more obvious than in diamond and little less than that
of synthetic rutile. Not being strongly birefringent, it can
immediately be distinguished from the latter. Obvious surface
damage, particularly to the facet edges, is indicative of
its low hardness. For the same reason, the facet edges are
not sharp and the stone feels slippery to the touch.
Cost Higher than that of other, more recent,
and better imitations of diamond, but less than that of the
most expensive synthetics, such as emerald
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