Taaffeite was first discovered by gemologist Richard Taaffe in 1945. He found the stone in a jeweler’s shop in Dublin, Ireland, initially mistaking it for spinel.
Naming: The gemstone was named after its discoverer, Richard Taaffe.
Characteristics
Chemical Composition: Taaffeite is a beryllium aluminum oxide mineral with the chemical formula BeAl₆O₁₂.
Color: It can be found in a range of colors including mauve, lavender, blue, pink, and sometimes colorless.
Hardness: On the Mohs scale of hardness, Taaffeite ranges from 8 to 8.5, making it quite durable and suitable for jewelry.
Refractive Index: It has a refractive index of 1.719 to 1.730, contributing to its brilliance and sparkle.
Crystal Structure: Taaffeite is hexagonal, which differentiates it from spinel, which is cubic.
Rarity and Value
Rarity: Taaffeite is extremely rare, much rarer than diamonds. Its scarcity significantly affects its value.
Value: Due to its rarity and unique characteristics, high-quality Taaffeite gemstones can be quite valuable, especially those with good color and clarity.
Sources
Primary Sources: Taaffeite has been found in limited quantities in countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and Tanzania.
Mining: It is often found alongside other gem materials like spinel and sapphire, making its identification and extraction more challenging.
Identification
Distinguishing Features: One of the key features that distinguish Taaffeite from spinel is its birefringence (double refraction), which can be detected using a gemological microscope or a polariscope.
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