a synthetic crystal grown by Czochralski pulling process and Verneuil method, used as a gemstone simulant. Formula: LiNbO₃. No counterpart exists in nature. Trigonal crystal with ilmenite structure. Transparent. Colorless, yellow, green, blue, blue-violet. Colored crystals are mixed with pigment oxides. Pleochroism. Optics; ω:2.21, ɛ:2.30. Birefringence: 0.090. ⊕. High dispersion: 0.120 nearly four times than diamond. SG: over 5. H: 5½. It was known as linobate. The preferred name is synthetic lithium niobate.