Description
The birthstone of December is Tanzanite.
Legend has it that violent storms lit bushfires on the Merelani hills, not far from the famous extinct volcano, Kilimanjaro. The shepherds who had fled far from the disaster eventually returned: it was then that they discovered the blue pebbles, originally grey-brown, transformed by the heat into superb blue gems... Blue is sacred to the Masai.It was formed by metamorphism or in pegmatites millions of years ago, and in its raw state, it occurs in veins of gneiss, in the form of a striated prism, with facets.
Tanzanite was not discovered until 1960 in Tanzania. The shepherds who found the first Tanzanites showed the mysterious stones to an explorer, who sent them to a gemologist for identification. The perplexed gemologist sent them to New York. The GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) had to admit that they were a hitherto unknown variety of zoisite.
A thousand times rarer than diamond, it is extracted from the depths of the earth, where the heat is barely bearable.
The price of Tanzanite is rising all the time as demand far outstrips supply. As the area concerned is only 20 km2, the deposits will certainly be exhausted in the not too distant future...
Significance and history
Legend has it that violent storms lit bushfires on the Merelani hills, not far from the famous extinct volcano, Kilimanjaro. The shepherds who had fled far from the disaster eventually returned: it was then that they discovered the blue pebbles, originally grey-brown, transformed by the heat into superb blue gems... Blue is sacred to the Masai.
Where can I find some? Origin
In Tanzania. This is still the only place in the world where it is mined. The mines are located on Masai territory, which owns 95% of the stone trade.
Hardness & Care
Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which makes it relatively fragile, so it is important to take care when wearing it in a ring. To clean Tanzanite, use an old toothbrush with soap and lukewarm water.
The ideal metal to go with your Tanzanite
Your Tanzanite will go equally well with warm or cool colours, white, pink or yellow gold or platinum.
Virtues
Tanzanite is a symbol of happiness and prosperity.
Tanzanite is said to have many beneficial effects on the brain and nervous system. It is said to improve hearing and sight, and to facilitate the work of the kidneys. It is said to soothe abdominal and stomach pains and to protect the skin and bones.
Tanzanite is said to stimulate the imagination and creativity, making it an ally of artists, writers, musicians and other creators. It increases memory capacity and intellectual curiosity. It lifts the soul in search of noble aspirations and an ever-deeper spiritual quest.