When anyone questions you about your favourite blue gemstone, the first answer that pops into your mind is Sapphires or Blue Topaz. Today, you can add another blue gem to your stone dictionary. Meet the Tanzanite stone!
Introduction
Tanzanite is a violet-blue to blue-violet stone from the family of the mineral zoisite. Tanzanite is a pleochroic stone reflecting different colours from different angles. In 1969 American Mineralogist characterised the gem’s pleochroic colours as “red-violet, deep blue, and golden green”. Most stones nowadays have to undergo heat treatment, which enhances the blue and violet while removing or reducing the yellow-green or brownish pleochroic colour.
Unlike most gems, it was discovered very recently, in 1967. Therefore, to know if Tanzanite would be the appropriate stone for your ring, you should read further to fully understand its history and properties and what makes the stone so unique.
History and Lore
The story of Tanzanite dates back to 1967, making it a very recent addition to the gemstone family. Ali Juuyawatu, a member of the Masai tribe, came across a group of clear, bright violet-to-blue crystals protruding out of the ground at Merelani, a region of northern Tanzania. He informed Manuel d’Souza, a local fortune seeker, who promptly filed four mining claims. D’Souza hoped he had hit the jackpot with a new sapphire mine, but it was a mine of the world’s latest gem.
As the news spread, some 90 more claims were placed within the same 20 square-mile areas. The tribe members of Masai did not know what kind of crystals they were, but they were sure that it would bring them a fortune. The new gem was later named Tanzanite, in honour of Tanzania, where it was first mined.
Tiffany & Company agreed to become its primary distributor after realising its potential as an international retailer and heavily advertised it. As a result, Tanzanite gained popularity among top jewellery designers and other gem experts almost immediately, as well as with consumers who had an eye for stunning and unique jewels. At times, its popularity would rival that of the Big 3.
Qualities
A high-quality tanzanite can have a distinct, mostly violet tint or be violetish blue, similar to a good sapphire. Depending on how the cutter chooses to orient the fashioned gem, some stones may appear more purple. A fashioned stone can be gently shaken and turned to reveal violet and blue pleochroic colours. As a result, each Tanzanite is a mixture of various pleochroic hues. The exact face-up shade is determined by the inherent colour of the original rough, the size and the pleochroic colours preferred by the cutter when orienting the fashioned stone, and the light in which the finished gem is viewed. Tanzanite appears bluer under cool lighting, whereas it appears more violet-to-purple in warm lighting.
Tanzanite scores 6 to 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. A gem’s hardness determines how easily it can be scratched. Earrings, pendants, and other jewellery pieces that won’t be subjected to impact and damage are the best choices for Tanzanites. Compared to a diamond, known for being the most rigid stone, a Tanzanite is relatively poor in its hardness. If the stone is worn in a ring, making it is susceptible to scratches during everyday use. This issue can be mitigated if the setting is designed to shield the stone from impact and damage or if the ring is not worn during activities likely to cause a crash or collision.
Vibrant, intensely coloured tanzanites are very sought-after, like other coloured gemstones. However, lighter-toned pastel colours have a softer appeal than vibrant colours and are more widely available and reasonably priced.
Uses of Tanzanite
Jewellery
Wearing crystals as jewellery is one of the best ways to honour them and their healing power. Nothing can obstruct vibrational energy flow when healing stones are in contact with the skin. Ensuring that the healing energy reaches the necessary places. Wear a Tanzanite as a pendant, bracelet, or earring for the best results while looking very chic. For use in a ring, it is less appropriate. According to many jewellers, tanzanite rings should be worn for special occasions rather than daily.
Many lovely options are available for individuals who want to combine their Tanzanite stone with other jewels that operate in harmonious joy. For example, tanzanite pairs amazingly well with Amethyst, Tourmaline, Aquamarine, and Garnet.
Vintage Tanzanite Ring
Though the ring aspects of a Tanzanite play against it, it does not mean you can never wear it as a ring. However, the wearer should be careful about the softness of the stone. Vintage tanzanite and diamond ring mix unexpectedly vivid colours with ageless, adaptable glitter.
For instance, the Tanzanite and Diamond Heart Ring feature a spherical Tanzanite with two smaller heart-shaped diamonds, one on each side of the ring’s band. The diamonds add to the glimmer of the ring, complimenting the vintage design. This style is classic, striking, and filled with romance and elegance.
Vintage gemstone rings with Tanzanite breathe new life into these time-honoured designs. The unexpected yet beautiful way to ask someone to marry you is with a Tanzanite engagement ring.
Home and Office
Tanzanite’s tranquillity, purity, and flow into your world result from this stone’s water energy. In Feng Shui, the Tanzanite stone can be positioned in any area that calls for tranquillity, calm, and reflective prayer and thinking. It’s an excellent stone to put in any office or workspace because it promotes communion and communication. Tanzanite also triggers fire energy because it is a violet firestone. It brings comfort, light, and an utterly alluring brightness.
Treated, Synthetic, and Imitation
Heat-treated Tanzanite
Most of the now-sold Tanzanites have to undergo heat treatment. Heating is the source of Tanzanite’s beautiful blue colour, except for a small portion of naturally blue material. Customers and retailers are accustomed to this treatment as it is well-known. In addition, there is a modest amount of superb-coloured, untreated Tanzanite in the mines. Some purchasers prefer this naturally blue substance.
Synthetic Tanzanite
There is no known synthetic Tanzanite on the market. It has yet to manufacture and commercialize synthetic Tanzanite successfully. However, “fake Tanzanite” is being used to sell stones by merchants with ill intent.
Imitation Tanzanite
Every well-known gem has imitations, and Tanzanite is no different. In addition, a few synthetic materials resemble Tanzanite in appearance. For example, a synthetic form of the mineral forsterite, which belongs to the olivine solid solution series, is being created with pleochroism and colour that resemble Tanzanite.
Tanavyte, Coranite, and some blue glass have also been utilised as Tanzanite substitutes. In addition, an artificial glass ceramic known as Nanosital is produced in various colours that resemble gemstones. Using a polariscope and pleochroism test, jewellers can easily distinguish it from natural Tanzanite since imitation is not pleochroic and Tanzanite is stunningly trichroic.
It is illegal to market imitation materials as “Tanzanite.” They must be marked on the packaging to inform the customer that the item they buy “looks like tanzanite” but is not made of Tanzanite.
How to care for your Tanzanite gemstone?
Setting or working with Tanzanite requires caution. If one is not careful, the stone, which is fragile and brittle, may break. Additionally, the stone must stay away from extreme heat or temperature swings. It would be best if you never cleaned Tanzanite with the usual ultrasonic cleaners used by jewellers since it is also delicate to pressure and has a low resistance to ultrasound. It is susceptible to permanent harm. Tanzanite should generally be worn with caution.
The easiest way to keep your Tanzanite clean is with warm, soapy water. Use an old, soft toothbrush or something similar to clean it carefully. Make sure to rinse properly because soapy water might dull the stone. You can “polish” off fingerprints and other smudges off the surface of your stone by using a soft cloth.
Conclusion
The true nature of a gemstone’s life course from the mine to the counter of a store is something few people outside the gem industry know. No matter where the stone is sold to customers—at the counter of a typical online diamond store, online or on television—the path always requires much work.
Vintage Tanzanite rings are very famous right now. You can easily find this ring online by searching for it as Tanzanite ring UK.
Read more: Get to Know The Best Gemstone For Handmade Gemstone Jewelry
