Tanzanite is a nascent coloured gem in the pantheon of sparkling gems this earth has given forth since the beginning of time. It is a relatively recent discovery.
It is found in just one place on earth: the hills of Merelani in northern Tanzania.
In 1967 a Masai tribesman stumbled upon a cluster of highly transparent, intense blue crystals weathering out of the earth in Merelani, an area of northern Tanzania.
In the words of the African Tribesman:
"I found the Tanzanite in Merelani, Arusha, in the area called Kiteto at the beginning of January 1967. I was on my way to visit some of my relatives who live in Kiteto, when walking through the bush I saw some crystals of a blue mineral lying on the ground. They were very nice… They were blue, some were transparent… In a few hours I collected about 5 kg — they were all very lovely blue crystals."
Ever since the tribesman; Ndugu Jumanne Ngoma stumbled upon shimmering blue crystals in the shadows of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, it quickly became one of the most sought after gemstones of the world. Some credit is due to Tiffany & Co., who introduced it to the International markets with a lovely name that pays tribute to the beauty of the land of its birth. Tiffany understood that to call this glamorous gem by its mineral name, blue zoisite, would not do it justice. Hence the illustrious jewellery company named it TANZANITE; after its birth country Tanzania.
Almost overnight, Tanzanite was popular with leading jewellery designers and other gem professionals, as well as with customers who had an eye for beautiful and unusual gems
Today Tanzanite is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but cushion and oval cuts are most common.
Rarely pure blue Tanzanite almost always displays overtones of violet. In smaller sizes, paler tones are more affordable. It tends toward lighter shades of lavender and periwinkle, while in sizes above ten carats; Tanzanite can show richer, more intense blue colours.
Although it's a newcomer to the gemstone industry, Tanzanite has quickly become one of the most popular coloured gemstones
The instant popularity of this transparent blue to violet to purple gem was tied to its vivid colour, high clarity and an affordable substitute to blue sapphire.
In the jewellery collection of a woman who has a keen penchant for gems; Tanzanite makes a serious statement in her collectibles.
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