Tanzanite
Tanzanite is an exquisite and rare violet-blue gemstone.
Unlike other gemstones, which are found in numerous deposits around the world, Tanzanite has only ever been found in one small location - the Merelani mines - a 4 square kilometre area in the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro. Merelani is in a vast arid region of northern Tanzania inhabited by the pastoral Masai people.
Tanzanite is this Generation's Gemstone.
Tanzanite was only discovered in 1967 when one day local Masai shepherds found some blue crystals sparkling in the sun. A local tailor Manuel D'Souza, helped to bring this stone to the attention of the New York Jeweller Tiffany. They decided that the technical name for the stone "blue zoisite" sounded too similar to the word "suicide" so opted to honour its country of origin by naming it "Tanzanite". Tiffany then marketed Tanzanite as one of the most popular and sought after gemstones in the world.
Although only recently discovered, geologists estimate that the supply of Tanzanite may be depleted in just 15 years. This makes Tanzanite a highly sought after commodity. Many customers are now not only buying Tanzanite for its beauty but also as a financial investment for their future and their children's future.
This investment opportunity is appreciated by the Americans, who have bought over 80% of the Tanzanite in the world today. When first mined, quality stones could be purchased in the United States for as little as US$20 per carat. By 1984 these gems were wholesaling at more than US$1000 per carat, a reflection of the increasing interest in this gem.
In the early days of mining, it was not uncommon to find gems that were 20 to 50 carats in the main mining shafts. Now those original large shafts have closed and new peripheral shafts are being explored. However, it is seldom that such large stones are found nowadays. The supply of large, deep-coloured stones is diminishing and as a result prices continue to increase.
Properties of Tanzanite
Tanzanite is pleochroic, which means it possesses the property of exhibiting different colours when viewed along different axes. A well-cut quality stone when viewed from different angles will exhibit blue, purple and sometimes even hints of red. Stones are usually heated to 500 degrees Celsius which is a universally accepted practice to enhance the colour and brilliance of the stone.
Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, compared with 10 for diamond, 9 for sapphire and 8 for emerald.
Caring for Tanzanite
All gemstones do need to be treated with care. A safe way to clean a gemstone is to use lukewarm water with a mild liquid soap or detergent that does not contain ammonia. Then dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Otherwise you could get it professionally cleaned. Tanzanite should not be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner.
A Birthstone for December
The official birthstone list was created in 1912 and beautiful blue gemstones were chosen for December. As Tanzanite was only discovered in the late 1960's it was not on the original official list, but it was officially added to the list of birthstones for December in 2002. This is the only time that a gemstone has been added to the official list since it was created.
Tanzania
Recently jewellery customers have become increasingly concerned about the origin of the gems they are purchasing. This is easier to locate for Tanzanite than other gems. As Tanzanite is only found in one location on the planet, customers can be assured about the source of their gems.
Tanzania is a peaceful, united, and democratic nation. It is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. As a society the Tanzanians are a tolerant people who embrace diversity and are respectful of different religions, political perspectives and ethnic tribes. They are all unified by their common language of Swahili and their remarkable sense of nationhood. Tanzanians are a proud and dignified people; proud of their heritage, their language and their country.
For one country Tanzania boasts many extreme diversities: it has Africa's highest peak (Mt Kilimanjaro), Africa's lowest point (the floor of Lake Tanganyika), Africa's largest lake (Lake Victoria), the Great Rift Valley, the extensive Serengeti plains, Oluvai Gorge which relinquished some of the world's oldest fossils, the paradisiacal beaches of Zanzibar and of course the exquisite gemstone that is Tanzanite.
We are privileged to be bringing one of Tanzania's exotic treasures to you.