This oval-shaped taaffeite from Multicolour weighs 3.44 carats and is from Tanzania. It’s not surprising the gemstone has been mistaken for spinel, not only because of its similar appearance but also because, according to Gems & Gemology, it’s found mixed in with parcels of spinel. Material also has come from Myanmar, and some lower-grade taaffeite has been found in China and Russia, according to the IGS. Eventually, small fragments were found in Sri Lanka and southern Tanzania, according to reference site. The source of taaffeite was unknown for a long time. It originates from only a few sources around the world. Spinel forms in cubic crystals whereas taaffeite forms in the hexagonal crystal system.ģ. Taaffeite also has a different chemical composition and crystal structure than spinel. The two gemstones have a similar hardness (8 for spinel, 8 to 8.5 taaffeite), refractive index (1.1712-1.762 for spinel and 1.719-1.730 for taaffeite), and specific gravity (3.54-3.63 for spinel and 3.60-3.62 for taaffeite).īut, as mentioned above, taaffeite’s birefringence sets it apart. It’s once you get into the specifics that you’re able to spot the differences. Here’s how it’s similar to, and different from, spinel.Īt first glance, many taaffeites looks just like spinel. Taaffeite is the first, and still only, gemstone initially identified from a faceted gemstone.Ĭarl Larson of gem dealer Pala International called this “extraordinary” since cut gems are harder to identify than rough as an observer loses “clues” like the crystal system.Ģ. Part of the new gemstone was used for analysis, and the remainder was returned to Taaffe as a 0.55-carat stone, according to the International Gem Society (IGS), standing as the first official chunk of taaffeite. Researchers eventually confirmed it was a new species and named the stone after the gemologist. Spinel, like diamond and garnet, is singly refractive.Ĭurious and wanting to investigate further, Taaffe sent the gem to the Laboratory of the London Chamber of Commerce for testing.Ī 13.23-carat oval mixed-cut purple taaffeite from Sri Lanka (Image courtesy of the Dr. Importantly, the gem was doubly refractive. While examining them, he realized a small mauve-colored stone weighing 1.419 carats that looked like spinel might be something different. In 1945, gemologist Count Edward Charles Richard Taaffe of Dublin, Ireland, was sifting through a parcel of cut and polished stones. One of my favorite parts of researching this stone was hearing the story of how it was “discovered.” Here are five things to know about taaffeite. I’m so glad I did there are many interesting things about this gem beyond just its rarity, though that is of course one of its more notable aspects. I happened upon the gem while scrolling through Instagram, as one does, and immediately added it to my list of stones to cover. Taaffeite can come in various pink and purples shades like lilac, violet and mauve, as well as red, brown, bluish hues, gray, green and colorless. Numerous “rubies” set in royal or other treasured jewels turned out to be spinels.īut, as it turns out, there’s another gemstone that rivals spinel when it comes to identification confusion.Įnter taaffeite, a very rare gemstone that looks similar to spinel but isn’t as well known. In gemstone history, spinel plays the role of the great imposter.
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