Tanzanite

WHAT IS A TANZANITE?

Tanzanite is a mineral with a scientific name blue zoisite. It is a part of the Epidote mineral family. The purple-blue gemstone is a rare gemstone mined only in one place on Earth. It is precisely why its value can match the value of an emerald, depending on the color and quality.

 

A polished Tanzanite gemstone, demonstrating its unique blue and purple hues.

TANZANITE PROPERTIES

Tanzanite is known to be a gemstone that stimulates the throat chakra, so it is an ideal stone for communication with higher spirits. It is a stone of transformation - when one is looking for guidance, a tanzanite stone can help in finding positivity, optimism and inspiration. It helps us to slow down and truly take one day at a time in manifesting our powers. 


WHERE DO TANZANITES COME FROM?

Tanzanite, as mentioned above, got its name after the location where there is the largest quantity of this stone  - Northern Tanzania, near Mount Kiliminjaro. It wasn’t until Tiffany’s gave this gemstone its name, that it became famous for its beautiful purple-blue color.

A raw Tanzanite stone in its unprocessed form, showcasing a rough exterior and deep, vibrant colors.

ONE OF A KIND

Tanzanite is available in blue, purple or violet blue. The most sought-after color are intense blues. Any colors outside this range are less valuable and not as rare and the deep colored purple and blue Tanzanite gemstones. Unheated Tanzanite is brown in color and doesn't get it's blue and purple colors until it is heat treated. Buyers often confuse Tanzanite with Sapphire or Amethyst due to the color. Typically, the larger the stone, the richer the color, or the higher the saturation. Smaller stones will possess a more pastel color with a lower saturation. Saturation is basically the depth of color in a stone, in essence the level to which color “fills” the stone. The more saturated a color is in a Tanzanite, the more valuable. This is not only because humans generally gravitate towards the more vivid colors but also because they occur much more rarely in nature.

A stunning piece of Tanzanite jewelry with an oval cut gem set in a ring, exhibiting the deep blue and purple colors of the Tanzanite gemstone


ALL THE MANY SHAPES

The more flawless the stone, the higher its value and beauty. As is the case with any gemstone, what to look out for are the inclusions. With tanzanite, visible inclusions will appear as small blemishes residing inside the stone. Obviously, the most desirable stone will have no visible inclusions. The clarity of tanzanite is graded on whether or not the stone is eye-clean. This means that if there are no inclusions visible to the naked eye, the stone will be graded flawless. Pure, inclusion free stones are rarer and will oftentimes be more expensive

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TANZANITE JEWELRY?

Avoid using harsh cleaning treatments such as ultrasonic cleaners and steamers or chemicals for tanzanite. The best method of cleaning a jewelry piece with a tanzanite is to use warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Make sure your tanzanite jewelry is completely dry before wearing or storing. It is preferable to store it in a velveteen bag.