Tanzanite
Appearance: Tanzanite has a transparent appearance with high clarity.
The color varies from a lilac blue to sapphire blue and into deep blue-violet.
A pleochroic gem showing different colors when viewed at different angles making cutting a high-level skill.
Tanzanite in its rough state appears as a reddish-brown crystal. It is the heat treatment that removes the brown to bring out the blue-violet.
Almost all tanzanite is color enhanced by heating.
Birthstone by Month & Zodiac: December
October 2002 The American Gem Trade Association made Tanzanite a traditional birthstone for December.
Facts: It is the most popular gemstone after the diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire. One of the top ten best-selling colored stones in today’s gem market.
Anniversary: Tanzanite is the stone for 24th wedding anniversary.
Physical and Emotional Balance: Tanzanite promotes compassion and helps with spiritual awareness.
It creates peacefulness, which calms an overactive mind and helps one to slow down and take it easy. Tanzanite conveys composure, poise and harmony.
Origin: Gemstone was discovered in Tanzania in 1967. This is the only location worldwide.
The mines are located in area 8 sq. mi. near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Mohs Hardness: 6.5