Taaffeite

Taaffeite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Taaffeite Polished

A rare and beautiful mineral, taaffeite is a lilac to mauve, brown to red, bluish green crystal that may be transparent to translucent in appearance. Interestingly enough, this gem was first discovered as a faceted gemstone that was thought to be spinel. Eventually, the mineral was found in Sri Lanka.

General Information

Common Name
Taaffeite
Species
Taaffeite
Transparency
Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.019
Refractive Index
1.719-1.723
Tolerance:(+0.002/-0.002)
Birefringence
0.004-0.005
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to weak green
LWUV: Inert to weak green
CCF Reaction
None
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Hardness
8-8.5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.600-3.620 Typical:3.610
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Taaffeite might contain feathers, crystal inclusions and natural inclusions
Luster
Vitreous
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
magnesium aluminum beryllium oxide
Chemical Formula
Mg3Al8BeO16
Crystal System
Hexagonal
Chemistry Classification
Oxide

Taaffeite Colors

  • Blue Taaffeite
    Blue
  • Pink Taaffeite
    Pink
  • Purple Taaffeite
    Purple
  • Red Taaffeite
    Red
  • White Taaffeite
    White

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Myanmar; Sri Lanka; China

Care

Normal Care and handling