Tanzanite, the second birthstone of December

You have some rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets set with tanzanite? Learn more about this December stone, also accompanied by Topaz.

Origins of tanzanite

Tanzanite was discovered in 1954 by a semi-nomadic people of pastoralists and hunters who lived mainly between Kenya and Tanzania. Legend has it that they discovered shiny stones on the ground - which they considered a celestial sign, because the color blue was considered sacred - after a fire which completely ravaged the savannah.

It was actually the heat that turned these gray-brown stones into magnificent blue stones, at over 600°C. The name tanzanite was given by the New York jeweler Tiffany & Co. (and more precisely Henry Platt) having discovered this stone in 1967 to replace sapphires. Its name comes from its place of extraction: Tanzania, to which the suffix "-ite" was attached to say "mineral".

Tanzanite can also be called blue zoisite and belongs to the silicate family. This variety of stones was named after the Austrian mineralogist von Zois, and was discovered in 1805 in the Carinthian Alps, hence its original name of saoualpite. 

Characteristics of tanzanite

Initially, Tanzanite can have beige, brown, pink or blue colors when raw. It is known only for its deep blue with intense violet reflections so characteristic, made possible by heating the stone (between 400-600 °C).

Tanzanite is a gemstone composed of calcium and aluminum in an orthorhombic crystal structure. Its characteristics give it a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3.35.

In addition, cThe mineral is remarkable for its strong trichoism; depending on the viewing angle, it can be observed in different colors: sapphire blue, purple, sometimes red... 

Tanzanite deposits

Tanzanite forms from metamorphic deposits associated with silica-rich alkaline rocks. Its formation results from high-temperature, low-pressure metamorphosis of limestone and dolomite-rich rocks.

The only deposit of Tanzanite is located in the Merelani Hills around Mount Kilimanjaro in a small region of northern Tanzania, in a single mine that covers 20km2. This stone is therefore one of the rarest and most exclusive in the world, which is why its value rivals that of precious stones such as diamond, sapphire or even emerald. 

Symbolism of tanzanite

Regarding its supposed virtues and benefits, tanzanite is a stone that invokes gentleness, kindness, confidence and creativity. It is a stone called “self-realization”, bringing out the best in ourselves.

Symbolically, this gem can be offered to celebrate the anniversary of 24 years of marriage. It is also very popular for engagement rings.

On the same topic, you might also like to read
Topaz: First birthstone of December