Tanzanite Essentials

9th February 2017 | 2 min read Share This Story:

Tanzanite is one of the most enchanting gemstones on the planet. Perhaps you’ve heard of it, perhaps not – but it is a gemstone to fall in love with, and to treasure for generations to come. Find out what you need to know about this beautiful gem.

tanzanite infographic

Tanzanite is truly spectacular! In the light of day, deep electric blues evoke that ‘love at first sight’ feeling, and then by the evening its purples, violets and reds ignite a sense of passion. It is a gemmological and geographical phenomenon.

Is it Rare?

Found in just one location in the world, in the Merelani (known locally as Mererani) Hills of Northern Tanzania, under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzanite is thought to be 1000 times rarer than Diamonds. Tanzanite is the blue variety of the mineral Zoisite. Even though Zoisite occurs widely, the geological conditions that are required to enable the gem to turn into its trademark blue are so rare that it has been described as ‘more astounding than the stone itself’.

Is it Beautiful?

Tanzanite is stunning. This is because of its trichroic nature, which means that three different colours can be seen when looking at the gem from different angles. In Tanzanite’s case these colours are blue, violet and pinkish purple.

Is it Valuable?

As with many gemstones, the darker, more vivid its colour the more valuable it is; and dark blue Tanzanite is currently amongst the most desired, and therefore most expensive gemstones in the world. So enchanted is anyone who sees this gemstone, it is often talked about with the same reverence as Diamonds.

Hailed as the gemstone of the 20th century, the huge demand for this gemstone led to the Gemmological Institution of America adding the gem to the official birthstone list in 2002, for the month of December. It is also the 24th anniversary gemstone and has become associated with new beginnings and is often given to new mothers.