Do you know Tanzanite? Today I want to explain you something more about this beautiful blue stone, because it seems to be very popular lately and I’m also in love with its colour and texture. 

Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of Zoisite (from Epidote group). The gemstone was discovered by Manuel de Souza in the Mererani Hills of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania in 1967. The curiosity is that Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania, in a very small mining area, and this is one of the reasons that make Tanzanite special and rare. 

Tanzanite has a remarkable strong trichroism, appearing alternately blue, violet and burgundy depending on crystal orientation and it can also appear differently when viewed under alternate lighting conditions. The majority of Tanzanite on the market today is heat treated to minimize the brown colors found naturally, and to enhance the blue shades that can rival sapphire

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Do you know that the name of “Tanzanite” was given by Tiffany & Co to the gemstone in 1968? The scientific name of “blue-violet zoisite” was not thought to be consumer friendly enough by Tiffany’s marketing department, and inspired with its origin country Tanzania they introduced it to the market as Tanzanite. 

In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association choose Tanzanite as a December Birthstone next to Zircon and Turquoise. So if your birthday is on December, you can discover more about your birthstones here! 

An independent study from 2012 suggests, as its rareness and the small mine area where it can be found, Tanzanite deposits may deplete in 30 years.

Did you like it? Now you know a little bit more about this beautiful and rare blue stone…don’t you think it’s very special?