Taaffeite
Taaffeite
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
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)
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
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