What Gems Would Go With Tanzanite?

This crystal captures one of tanzanite's many indigo shades.

Tanzanite derives its name from its country of origin, Tanzania. Miners first unearthed the iris-blue crystals in 1962, but it was in 1968 that the jewelry firm Tiffany & Company launched a costly advertising campaign to promote the new gem. Tanzanite changes its hue depending on how the light catches it. Finding the right gems to complement this unusual color-changing stone can be a challenge.

Clear Gems

Clear white diamonds complement any gem. As diamonds refract light into spectral colors, they contain every color and therefore match tanzanite's variable violets and indigos. Cubic zirconia and clear white-sapphire accent stones also match well with tanzanite; these diamond alternatives are also more economical. Moissanite, another clear gem, has the advantage of being as unusual a choice as the stone it highlights.

Pink Gems

Pink morganite provides a sharp contrast to tanzanite's depth and saturation of color. Morganite, a form of beryl chemically related to emerald and aquamarine, has a soft pink hue that makes tanzanite's color seem richer. Pink sapphire has a sparkle that flatters tanzanite without competing with it. Natural pink zircon -- not pink cubic zirconia -- also has a soft rosy gleam that contrasts well with tanzanite's deep indigo.

Yellow Gems

Yellow lies opposite purple on the color wheel, so surrounding a purple stone with yellow gems showcases the contrast between them. Emphasize tanzanite's purple hue with accent stones such as yellow sapphire, citrine or heliodor. Choose paler yellow stones to keep them from competing with the central tanzanite. Using yellow stones with a slight orange hue will highlight the blue in a tanzanite gem. Yellows tinged with green will bring out the stone's purple tones more dramatically.

Green Gems

Green and purple are coordinating secondary colors; combine green sapphire, chartreuse peridot or richly colored emeralds with tanzanite for an eye-catching piece of jewelry. Tanzanite and emerald share a need for delicate treatment to prevent the stones from fracturing, so using them together makes caring for the finished piece simpler. Emeralds also have a velvety, cloudy quality that contrasts well with tanzanite's sparkle.

References

• Gemological Institute of America; Essential Colored Stone Reference Guide; Tanzanite; 1999
• International Colored Gemstone Association; Tanzanite
• New York University; Color Theory