Spotlight on...Tanzanite

I've decided to start a "spotlight" series where I dedicate an entire post to a single gemstone. I figure what better stone to start with than my absolute personal favorite...Tanzanite. In fact I love this gem so much that, instead of diamond, I picked out a Tanzanite engagement ring.

Tanzanite is named for the region where it is mined...the African state of Tanzania. In fact the only known source for Tanzanite is a five square mile hilltop in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro.

While its supreme rarity and exclusiveness certainly add to the allure of the stone, its the unique color that has earned Tanzanite its numerous enthusiasts, like myself, as well as a hefty price tag. The color can range from from an ultramarine or pale periwinkle to an intense violet-blue. The most coveted, and valuable, Tanzanite stones are more blue with a purplish hue. Tanzanite is especially spectacular in large stones of ten carats or more and smaller stones tend to be paler.

One of the reasons that Tanzanite is so mesmerizing is that the stone is trichroic. This means that three different colors can be seen in the same stone depending on the perspective from which it is being viewed. From one direction it will look dark blue, from another it will look greenish-yellow or brown and from another it will appear to be a reddish-purple. This gives the stone a amazing depth!

Tanzanite is listed as an alternative birthstone for the month of December.

Caring for Tanzanite Jewelry

Tanzanite is a very delicate gemstone and care should be taken to prevent the stone from striking a hard surface and it should not be worn during strenuous activities. Tanzanite jewelry should be stored wrapped in a soft cloth away from your other jewelry pieces.

A ring set with Tanzanite should never be resized or repaired because the heat of a torch could shatter the stone. Exposing the stone to sudden temperature changes should also be avoided. This includes very hot or cold water or situations like reaching into the oven and then immediately running it under a cold tap.

To clean your Tanzanite jewelry, soak it in lukewarm soapy water with a mild liquid detergent. Rinse with water of the same temperature and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Tanzanite jewelry should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.