Tanzanite Rocks

I am not a gemologist. This is good for you because then I can help people understand things like where tanzanite came from. The following article has my interpretations in blue.  On with the article:

“Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite (Ca2(Al.OH)Al2(SiO4)3) discovered in the Meralani Hills of northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha.

Interpretation: Tanzanite was found in Tanzania, hence the name tanzanite.

It is a popular and valuable gemstone when cut, although its durability is somewhat lacking; its tendency to break precludes appropriate use as a ring stone. Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet, and sage-green depending on crystal orientation. However, most tanzanite is subjected to artificial heat treatment to improve its color: this significantly subdues its trichroism.

Interpretation: One of the reasons tanzanite is so pretty is because of its flashes of red. I have it in several rings and have never had a problem with durability.

The name tanzanite was a trade name coined by Tiffany & Co. shortly after the gem’s discovery, an obvious allusion to its country of origin. This was thought necessary in order to make the stone marketable to the public: the name has since stuck as a varietal designation. Tanzanite’s present-day popularity as a gemstone is largely thanks to Tiffany’s marketing campaigns. The mining of tanzanite nets the Tanzanian government approximately USD $20 million annually, the finished gems later being sold mostly on the US market for sales totaling approximately USD $500 million annually.”

Interpretation: Thank you Tiffany & Co. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.

This article is licensed under the “GNU Free Documentation License“.  It uses material from the Wikipedia article “Tanzanite .”