Our Gems
Tanzanite
History and Folklore
Discovered in 1967 by a Masai tribesman near Mt. Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, it was originally believed to be the finding of a new sapphire deposit. The legend says that after a massive fire across the plains of East Africa, Masai herdsmen returned to their charred fields to find blue stones littering the ground. In 1969, top gemologists started studying the new crystal. The unusual emergence of tanzanite sparked a great amount of interest within the jewelry industry, and Tiffany and Co. started promoting the new stone, giving it the name “tanzanite”. Tanzanite is often used as a blessing for expectant mothers because of its reputation for helping to bring health and happiness.
Facts and Information
Tanzanites possess a rare and unique quality known as pleochromisim, which is the ability to exhibit more than one color. When viewed from different angles, one can see varying degrees of tones in purples and blues. After heating, this beautiful gemstone can range from a vibrant blue to a strong purple. The brownish zoisite is heated to approximately 600 - 650?C to make this blue color. Tanzanites can be used as an alternate December birthstone. This gemstone is recommended for pendants and earrings.
Gemstone Identification and Characteristics
- R.I.: 1.691 - 1.700 (+.005, -.005)
- Hardness: 6 - 7
- S.G.: 3.35 (+.10, -.25)
- Species: Zoisite
Cleaning Methods
- Warm, soapy water is safe
- Never in steamer
- Never in ultrasonic
Major Sources
- Tanzania
