What Is Tanzanite Used for?

Heat-treated tanzanite can emit a deep blue color.

Tanzanite, a blue-purple colored gemstone native to northern Tanzania, is one of the rarest stones on the planet. Discovered in 1967 by local tribesmen, it was originally called Zoisite but was later renamed for its country of origin.

Properties

Tanzanite is considered a versatile gem because of its wide range of hues. Heat-treated tanzanite emits a deep blue to violet color, whereas untreated Zoisite is brown. The largest tanzanite gem weighed in at more than six carats, but it is often found in much smaller sizes.

Birthstone

In October 2002, tanzanite joined blue topaz and turquoise as a birthstone for babies born in December. The stone is also a popular gift for mothers with newborn children. It is often mounted on earrings and pendants, though its Moh's hardness rating of 6.5 to 7 means it must be carefully set in rings as it can easily be knocked out.

Lore

Because it is a relatively newly discovered gemstone, there is not much history to tanzanite. The Masai tribesmen who discovered it believe it brings life, a statement capitalized upon by the marketing department of Tiffany and Company, as reported by tanzaniteauthority.com.

References

• Bernardine Fine Arts and Jewelry: Tanzanite - FActs, Lore, History, Myths and Pictures
• Gemological Institute of America: Tanzanite
• Gemtradenet: Tanzanite Education and Information
• Tanzanite Authority: Tanzanite History