Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite (a calcium aluminium hydroxy silicate) which was discovered in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. It is unique in the gemstone world because it was discovered quite recently (in 1967).  It is used as a gemstone. Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet and burgundy depending on crystal orientation. Tanzanite can also appear differently when viewed under alternate lighting conditions. The blues appear more evident when subjected to fluorescent light and the violet hues can be seen readily when viewed under incandescent illumination.

Tanzanite in its rough state is usually a reddish brown color. It requires artificial heat treatment to 600 °C in a gemological oven to bring out the blue violet of the stone. Tanzanite is a rare gem. It is found mostly in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mineral is named after Tanzania, the country in which it was discovered.  The major known Tanzanite deposits are in East Africa and seem to be mostly exhausted.  It is a very popular gemstone and fine Tanzanite pieces are getting increasingly hard to find.

Officially called "Blue Zoisite" it was marketed as Tanzanite by Tiffany & Co., who wanted to capitalize on the rarity of the gem, then only found in Tanzania, but who thought that "Blue Zoisite" (which might be pronounced like "blue suicide") wouldn't sell well.  From 1967 to 1972, an estimated two million carats of Tanzanite were mined in Tanzania before the mines were nationalized by the Tanzanian government.

The world's largest faceted Tanzanite is 737.81 carats^. One of the most famous large Tanzanites (242 carats) is the "Queen of Kilimanjaro". It is set in a tiara and accented with 803 brilliant cut Tsavorite garnets and 913 brilliant cut Diamonds. Because Tanzanite is relatively soft, it is usually set in necklaces and earrings, so the tiara is truly a rarity.  The tiara is currently on display in the Gallery of Gold and Gems at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The exhibition is from the private collection of Michael Scott, the first CEO of Apple Computers.

5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Tanzanite

1.   Color: The most important factor in the value of a Tanzanite is its color. The ideal color is a rich purple-blue.  Less valuable colors of Tanzanite tend to be pale and greyish.  Getting a sense for what the best colors for Tanzanite is essential for making a wise purchase decision. 

2.     Size: Large pieces of Tanzanite are exceptionally rare, and therefore command very high prices.  A Tanzanite over 3 carats is hard to find and very expensive. 

3.   Clarity: After color, clarity is probably the most important factor in Tanzanite.  Lower quality, lower priced Tanzanite will have many internal flaws, or inclusions, inside it.  Perfectly clear Tanzanite is hard to find and priced accordingly.

4.     Cut: When the color and clarity of a Tanzanite are of high quality, a good cut will make the difference between a nice stone and a once-in-a-lifetime stone.

5.  Treatments, Synthetics and Imitations: Tanzanite often goes through some kind of laboratory treatment and is also sometimes imitated.  Tanzanite is also sensitive and requires care when handling.

The Most Valuable Tanzanite

The most valuable Tanzanite is bright blue with violet pleochroism (as you turn the stone in the light, you see flashes of violet).  It is large (over 3 carats), perfectly clear and perfectly cut.

Excepting stones found close to the surface in the early days of the discovery, Tanzanite is universally heat treated to produce a range of hues between bluish-violet to violetish-blue. Since heat treatment is universal, it has no effect on price, and finished gems are assumed to be heat-treated. Tanzanite is sometimes found in other colors, such as green, although technically it would be called 'green zoisite' rather than Tanzanite. Tanzanite may be subjected to other forms of treatment as well.

 Recently coated Tanzanites were discovered and tested by the AGTA and AGL laboratories. A thin layer of coatings was applied to improve the color of the Tanzanite. Tanzanite is heat treated in a furnace with a temperature between 550 and 700 degrees Celsius. It should not have any cracks or bubbles in it, as it could shatter or the cracks/ bubble will increase in size.

Tanzanite is sometimes called the "workaholic's stone", this is due to the fact that this stone will help you slow down and take it easy. This in turn will bring success in more areas of your life. It is very balancing for highly active people, mellowing out extremes in personality.

Tanzanite relieves stress and enhances composure, poise and harmony. It is very balancing for highly active folk, mellowing out extremes in a personality. It helps us in understanding why things are happening in life giving us awareness from the balance.

Tanzanite is a "stone of magic" that facilitates spiritual awareness and stimulates insight. It is also said to relieve depression. Tanzanite is known to both dispel and transmute negativity.

Physically tanzanite is beneficial for stress related illnesses and high blood pressure in particular. It will restore vitality to the body, especially the skin and hair, as it encourages cell regeneration. IT will slow down the aging process and increase the bearer's inner light.