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Certified Taaffeite Forbe's 2nd Rarest Mineral 2.08 ct Sri Lanka SKU-1
- SKU
- Dimensions (mm)
- 8.400 x 6.910 x 4.680mm
- Weight (cts)
- 2.080
- Treatment
- No Treatment
- Shape
- Oval
- Type
- Faceted
- Colours
-
You can also check our other gemstones collection at:
https://www.gemrockauctions.com/stores/zayangems
Taaffeite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1945 by Australian gemologist Richard Taaffe. It is a magnesium-beryllium-aluminum oxide and is usually found in association with other gemstones such as spinel, sapphire, and ruby. Taaffeite is renowned for its strikingly beautiful and unique color range, including hues of pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, and brown. This mineral has become increasingly popular among gem collectors and enthusiasts due to its rarity and beauty. In this article, we will explore the history, properties, and uses of taaffeite.
History
Taaffeite was discovered in 1945 in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka by Australian gemologist Richard Taaffe. The mineral was originally thought to be spinel, but further analysis revealed that it was a new and previously unknown mineral species. It was named taaffeite in honor of Richard Taaffe, who had collected the first known specimen.
Taaffeite was not widely recognized as a separate mineral species until the 1970s, when more specimens were discovered in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Today, taaffeite remains a relatively rare mineral, and gem-quality specimens are highly prized by collectors.
Properties
Taaffeite has a chemical composition of Mg3BeAl8O16 and a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. It has a refractive index of 1.719 to 1.730 and a specific gravity of 3.60 to 3.62. Taaffeite crystals are usually small and occur in octahedral or dodecahedral shapes. The mineral can occur in a range of colors, including pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, and brown.
One of the unique properties of taaffeite is its ability to exhibit pleochroism, which means that it can display different colors when viewed from different angles. This is due to the crystal structure of the mineral, which causes light to be absorbed differently depending on the direction it is traveling through the crystal.
Uses
Taaffeite is primarily used as a gemstone, and it is highly valued by collectors due to its rarity and beauty. The gemstone is often cut into faceted shapes to enhance its color and brilliance, and it is sometimes used in jewelry. Because taaffeite is a relatively new and rare mineral, it is not as well-known as other gemstones such as diamonds or rubies, but it is highly prized by those who appreciate its unique properties and beauty.
In addition to its use as a gemstone, taaffeite has also been studied by geologists and mineralogists due to its unique properties. Because taaffeite is often found in association with other minerals, it can provide insight into the geological processes that led to the formation of these minerals. Taaffeite has also been used in experiments to study the effects of high pressure and temperature on minerals, due to its high melting point and resistance to chemical reactions.
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- SKU
- Dimensions (mm)
- 8.400 x 6.910 x 4.680 mm
- Weight (cts)
- 2.080
- Treatment
- No Treatment
- Shape
- Oval
- Type
- Faceted
- Colours
-
You can also check our other gemstones collection at:
https://www.gemrockauctions.com/stores/zayangems
Taaffeite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1945 by Australian gemologist Richard Taaffe. It is a magnesium-beryllium-aluminum oxide and is usually found in association with other gemstones such as spinel, sapphire, and ruby. Taaffeite is renowned for its strikingly beautiful and unique color range, including hues of pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, and brown. This mineral has become increasingly popular among gem collectors and enthusiasts due to its rarity and beauty. In this article, we will explore the history, properties, and uses of taaffeite.
History
Taaffeite was discovered in 1945 in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka by Australian gemologist Richard Taaffe. The mineral was originally thought to be spinel, but further analysis revealed that it was a new and previously unknown mineral species. It was named taaffeite in honor of Richard Taaffe, who had collected the first known specimen.
Taaffeite was not widely recognized as a separate mineral species until the 1970s, when more specimens were discovered in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Today, taaffeite remains a relatively rare mineral, and gem-quality specimens are highly prized by collectors.
Properties
Taaffeite has a chemical composition of Mg3BeAl8O16 and a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. It has a refractive index of 1.719 to 1.730 and a specific gravity of 3.60 to 3.62. Taaffeite crystals are usually small and occur in octahedral or dodecahedral shapes. The mineral can occur in a range of colors, including pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, and brown.
One of the unique properties of taaffeite is its ability to exhibit pleochroism, which means that it can display different colors when viewed from different angles. This is due to the crystal structure of the mineral, which causes light to be absorbed differently depending on the direction it is traveling through the crystal.
Uses
Taaffeite is primarily used as a gemstone, and it is highly valued by collectors due to its rarity and beauty. The gemstone is often cut into faceted shapes to enhance its color and brilliance, and it is sometimes used in jewelry. Because taaffeite is a relatively new and rare mineral, it is not as well-known as other gemstones such as diamonds or rubies, but it is highly prized by those who appreciate its unique properties and beauty.
In addition to its use as a gemstone, taaffeite has also been studied by geologists and mineralogists due to its unique properties. Because taaffeite is often found in association with other minerals, it can provide insight into the geological processes that led to the formation of these minerals. Taaffeite has also been used in experiments to study the effects of high pressure and temperature on minerals, due to its high melting point and resistance to chemical reactions.
Feel free to to “make an offer” on our other items :)
We Accept Payments through
Paypal
Direct Deposit
Credit Card
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Registered Shipping | $10.00 / 7 days | $10.00 / 21 days |
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Positive
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Positive
Nice stone as described++++++