Beautiful blue-violet tanzanite is a relative newcomer to the gem market. It was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, and subsequently introduced to the world in 1969 by Tiffany & Co.  Tanzanite ranges in color from pale lavender to deep cobalt blue, and the finest specimens are known to produce a red flash in bright light.

This beautiful gemstone shows off its vivid color in rings, earrings, and necklaces, often complimented by diamonds.  Setting tanzanite in yellow or rose gold brings out its warm purple tones, while a white gold or platinum setting emphasizes the blue hues that echo those of the finest sapphires.

A few mines in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Merelani region of Tanzania are the only known source for this exeptional jewel in the entire world! Most other gems, even the very rare, have more than one origin. According to local legend, Tanzanite was discovered when a lightning strike set the grasslands afire in an intense blaze; the heat of the fire transformed the color of this naturally greenish-brown stone into the stunning blues and violets for which it is known.  Nearly all tanzanite is heated to 600 degrees Celsius to reveal its vibrant color; but heating does not diminish the investment value of this gem.

Because tanzanite typically grows in large crystals, it is possible to find gems of awesome size, vivid saturation, and no inclusions whatsoever.  The world’s largest faceted tanzanite is 737.81 carats!  The most commonly used cuts are oval and cushion, but tanzanite can also be found in round, marquise, trilliant, heart, and even fantasy cuts.  Because tanzanite is not as hard as diamond or ruby, it is ideally suited to wearing in earrings or necklaces, and extreme care must be taken to avoid cleaning with steam or hot water.