Diamond News
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a very rare stone, occurring only in a small place in Tanzania, known as Merelani Hill, Arusha. It is actually a variety of Zoisite, which is the member of Epidote group, a silicate of calcium and aluminium.
Tanzanite History
In the middle of 1967, a Portuguese fortune hunter named Manuel D’souza was travelling along the eastern part of Africa in search of rare quality ruby and sapphire. Flanked by Maasai tribesmen, he reached the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, where he happened to stumble upon gleaming blue rocks, which, at first he though was sapphire.
At this time, he could not imagine, that one day this newly discovered stone would take the world by storm. Soon, the stone was identified and named tanzanite after its place of origin and gained immense popularity among gem-lovers across the world.
The fact that, tanzanite is a very rare stone, adds to its demand and high value.
Chemical Composition of Tanzanite
So far as chemical composition of tanzanite is concerned, it is actually a variety of Zoisite, which is the member of Epidote group, a silicate of calcium and aluminium. Straight from the ground, in its primary form, it displays a brown shade, mixed with a light orange tinge.
Tanzanite is heat treated to approximately 700º Celsius, which enhances its colour. A moderate heat treatment brings out the colours ranging from light bluish-violet to an intense bluish-violet. The most important price determining factor in tanzanite is its unique colour combination. The most prized colour in tanzanite is a rich violet-blue. A pure blue tanzanite is very rare, as tanzanite’s are always mixed with a purple overtone. So naturally blue tanzanite’s are more desirable and sold at a higher price.
However, tanzanite is highly tri-choric it changes its colour under different amount of light. It displays a lighter shade, mostly lavender, in smaller sizes. The larger the gem, the more saturate its colour. Recently, a green variety of Zoisite was discovered, which goes by the name, green tanzanite. When tanzanite was first discovered, people got confused because of its colour. It closely resembled sapphire.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, tanzanite measures 6 to 7. It has a perfect cleavage, but the fracture is uneven and brittle. It also reacts poorly to heat and pressure. Tanzanite stones however have a very good clarity usually with very few inclusions.
Holistic Interpretation of Tanzanite
Like other blue gems tanzanite brings a cooling effect over one’s body and mind. When life becomes chaotic under tremendous pressure tanzanite is believed to bring the composure of self.
Enhancing personal inside and vision, it reaffirms one’s individual will. Gold brings with it the energy of sun and the stone represents the power of moon. So tanzanite should be worn with gold. Whether worn as a ring or a necklace, as an earring or a bracelet, it has the potential of becoming the ultimate eye catcher.
Although wearing tanzanite jewelleries require special care and protection, it speaks of one’s refined taste and high sense of aesthetics.