Taaffeite is an extremely rare and precious gemstone, often mistaken for Spinel due to its similar appearance. It was first discovered accidentally when a Spinel was found to be doubly refractive — an optical property unique to Taaffeite. Belonging to the Beryllium Magnesium Aluminum Oxide mineral group, this gem is admired for its delicate shades ranging from violet, mauve, lilac, and pink to purplish-red. Taaffeite is considered a gemstone of spiritual awakening, insight, and transformation, helping the wearer achieve emotional balance and higher consciousness.
Color: Lilac, violet, pinkish-purple, or mauve
Hardness: 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale
Sources: Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Myanmar