Tanzanite is truly spectacular! This precious gemstone is only found in one location in the world; Tanzania Africa. Claimed to be a 1000 times rarer than Diamonds, Tanzanite is the blue variety of Zoisite. Even though Zoisite occurs widely, the same geological conditions that produced the gem is so rare it has been described as ‘more astounding than the stone itself’.

It is extremely popular due to its trichroic nature and different angles can show a myriad of colours - from deep blue to purple even yellow and red in some good specimens. However, the deep blue purple colours are highly favoured and can command extremely high prices.

On discovery of this beautiful gem in 1967, word of the unearthing reached the celebrated New York Jewellers; Tiffany’s. At that time Henry B Platt, who was the great grandson of Louis C Tiffany was working with Tiffany’s president, Walter Hoving. So awe struck by the beauty of the gemstone he named it Tanzanite after the country that it was discovered, and was launched at Tiffany’s in 196.

Hailed the “gemstone of the 20th century”, Tanzanite is recommended as an anti-depressant, due to the nurturing, emotionally supportive and cheering energies it is said to bestow.

The stone consists of calcium aluminium silicate and has a value of 6.5 – 7 on the mohs scale.

Hardness: 6, Refractive index: 1.69-1.70