Taaffeite Gem Guide and Properties Chart

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

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

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

Red
White
Purple
Pink
Blue

Countries of Origin

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

Care

Normal Care and handling