Tanzanite

Tanzanite is an extremely rare and fascinating gemstone known for its unique blue-violet color. Discovered only in 1967 in Tanzania, it is a variety of the mineral zoisite and is mined commercially in only one place in the world – the Merelani Hills, making it one of the rarest gemstones on the planet. Its enchanting color, which ranges from rich ultramarine to deep purple, is due to the presence of vanadium.

Tanzanite is famous for its pronounced pleochroism (or rather, trichroism): at different angles, the stone can exhibit blue, purple and even reddish-brown or bronze hues. This play of colors gives it a unique depth and appeal. It is worth noting that most tanzanites on the market undergo heat treatment to enhance and stabilize their blue-violet color – this is a common practice for this stone.

With a hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite is hard enough to be used in jewelry such as earrings, pendants and, with caution, rings. However, it has a perfect cleavage in one direction, making it sensitive to sharp impacts and pressure, especially along the cleavage planes.

Careful wear and care are recommended, avoiding ultrasonic cleaning and sudden changes in temperature. The stone has an attractive glassy luster, which is beautifully revealed when cut, enhancing its brightness and play of colors. Due to its rarity, unique color and beauty, tanzanite is highly valued by collectors and jewelry connoisseurs, becoming an exquisite choice for exclusive jewelry. Its value largely depends on the saturation of color (the most valuable are rich blue and purple shades), clarity, size and quality of cut.

It remains one of the most desirable colored gemstones in the world, offering a unique combination of exotic origins, captivating play of colors, and elegance.