Tanzanite
In October 2002, Tanzanite was added to the official birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association as an additional birthstone for December. For other Birthstones for December, see Blue Topaz and Turquoise.
Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, East Africa. As one of the newest and most exotically colored gemstones, Tanzanite is part of the Zoisite mineral species and is only found in East Africa. Tanzanite is very rarely a pure blue and usually exhibits rich purple overtones.
Tanzanite is often a bluish gray color when first mined, but it can also be brown. It is routinely heat treated to permanently draw out its exotic bluish-purple color.
Tanzanite can be brittle and although it can be worn daily, care should be taken to protect it. Tanzanite should not be cleaned in an Ultrasonic Cleaner.
Legend says that Masai cattle herders first noticed this stone about 30 years ago after a lightning fire burned areas in Tanzania. The herders noticed that brown zoisite crystals had turned a deep bluish-purple due to the heat from the fire.
Tanzanite is such a new gemstone, that there is little folklore or healing properties surrounding this stone. There is talk of supplies of the gem becoming more and more scarce. However, there is no questioning the popularity of this rich colored gemstone that has been catapulted to the higher echelons of the gemstone world.
Email: Bruce@TapleyCollection.com
Copyright: 1979, The Tapley Collection
Copyright: 2005, www.TapleyCollection.com