A Remarkable Vivid Pink Taaffeite from Mogok, Myanmar

Occasionally, a gemstone arrives at the laboratory that immediately captures attention. Such specimens are uncommon not only because of their beauty, but also because of their rarity and scientific significance. This article describes the examination and identification of an exceptional 5.72 ct pear-shaped taaffeite originating from Mogok, Myanmar. Prior to cutting, the crystal fragment weighed approximately 10.24 ct and represented part of a much larger crystal that could have produced an extraordinary collector’s specimen.

The fashioned gemstone weighs 5.72 carats and is fashioned as a pear-shaped mixed brilliant and step cut. It displays an attractive vivid pink colour with excellent transparency. Although slight to moderate inclusions are present, they do not significantly reduce the gem’s beauty. Instead, the remarkable saturation and brilliance make it an exceptionally appealing gemstone.

Standard Gemmological Examination

Initial examination revealed that the gemstone is optically anisotropic with a uniaxial optical character. Distinct pleochroism was observed, ranging from reddish pink to pinkish purple, a characteristic consistent with chromium-bearing taaffeite.
The gemstone exhibited:
• Refractive Index (RI): 1.715–1.720, with measurable birefringence
• Specific Gravity (SG): approximately 3.60
Although the specific gravity overlaps with both spinel and taaffeite, the presence of double refraction and the measured refractive index clearly exclude spinel and support identification as taaffeite.

Microscopic study

This 5.72 cts taaffeite show its inclusions as crystals, liquid filled flat cavit and liquid feathers which confirm that authenticity of its natural origin.

Under ultraviolet radiation, the gemstone displayed:

• Long-wave UV: bright red fluorescence
• Short-wave UV: weaker red fluorescence

This fluorescence behaviour is consistent with chromium (Cr³+) acting as the chromophore. Using a handheld visible spectroscope, characteristic chromium absorption lines in the red region were observed, providing additional confirmation of chromium as the colouring element.

Advanced Laboratory Analysis

To further verify the identification, advanced analytical methods were performed. Raman spectroscopy using a 532 nm laser produced spectra matching reference data for taaffeite in the laboratory data

To further verify the identification, advanced analytical methods were performed. Raman spectroscopy using a 532 nm laser produced spectra matching reference data for taaffeite in the laboratory database.

PL spectrum using green laser 532 nm

Additional analyses included:

• UV-Visible spectroscopy
• UV fluorescence spectroscopy

The obtained spectra were in excellent agreement with known reference data for natural taaffeite. Taaffeite is among the world’s rarest gem minerals, occurring only in a few localities. Fine transparent specimens above five carats are exceptionally uncommon.
The combination of:

• relatively large size (5.72 ct)
• vivid pink colour
• excellent transparency
• chromium-related optical properties
• confirmed Raman identification
• Mogok origin

makes this gemstone an outstanding example of gem-quality taaffeite.

Conclusion

This specimen demonstrates the importance of combining classical gemmological testing with modern spectroscopic techniques. While standard testing strongly suggested taaffeite, Raman spectroscopy and complementary spectroscopic analyses provided conclusive confirmation. Large vivid pink taaffeites from Mogok, Myanmar remain among the rarest and most desirable collector gemstones encountered in modern gemology