Tanzanite: the stone of clarity and spiritual growth

Tanzanite is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in vintage jewelry. This remarkable stone can take on various colors, ranging from blue to purple and everything in between. What is unique about this stone is that it is only found in one place in the world—more on this later. The unique and intense color gives the stone a mystical appearance, making any ring, necklace, or pair of earrings an enormous eye-catcher. Aside from all this, the stone is also considered the birthstone of December. In this blog, we will explore the history of the stone, its origin, tanzanite jewelry, and more.

The Origin of Tanzanite

As mentioned earlier, Tanzanite is a rare gemstone, and it owes its unique name to the location where it was first discovered: the Merelani Hills in northern Tanzania. These hills lie in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, making it the only place where natural tanzanite can be found. Around 1967, a shepherd stumbled upon several shiny blue stones in a dry landscape. After further investigation, it was discovered that these stones were not sapphires, but a new variety of zoisite, a specific mineral. Due to these unique properties, the gemstone quickly became exclusive, and many famous jewelers sought to incorporate the stone into their designs. One such jeweler was Tiffany & Co., who saw tanzanite as a symbol of luxury and refinement.

The History of Tanzanite

Following its discovery around 1967, the popularity of the stone grew rapidly, largely due to promotion by the renowned jewelry house Tiffany & Co. in the late 1960s. They introduced the gemstone as “the most beautiful blue gemstone discovered in 2000 years.” As a result, Tanzanite made its debut in high-end jewelry during the 1970s and 1980s, often paired with diamonds and used in unique designs. However, the problem arose that the mining supply in Tanzania slowly started to deplete. Therefore, a tanzanite ring is considered a luxury piece of jewelry—an exquisite eye-catcher and, most importantly, a valuable heirloom that can survive for generations.

The Meaning and Symbolism of Tanzanite

In addition to its rarity and beautiful color, Tanzanite also holds a deeper spiritual and emotional symbolism. Due to the stone's blue-purple hue, it is associated with the throat and crown chakras. This means that Tanzanite is a powerful stone for enhancing self-expression, intuition, and spiritual growth. The gemstone is believed to act as a guide that helps find inner peace and bring clarity to complex problems or situations. Tanzanite has a calming energy and is thought to help release anxiety and stress, making it an ideal choice in jewelry for those seeking balance and harmony in their lives.
In addition to the spiritual symbolism, people also feel a deep emotional connection to the gemstone. Tanzanite is often given as a gift for special milestones, such as an anniversary of love or mutual support and connection between two people. It is the birthstone of December and a popular gift for the 25th wedding anniversary, symbolizing a new beginning and growth.

Tanzanite in Jewelry

During the 1970s and 1980s, many stylish pieces of jewelry featuring tanzanite were created, as this was the period when the stone’s popularity soared. Tanzanite was often combined with diamonds in rings, with tanzanite usually serving as the centerpiece, surrounded by diamonds. This could also be seen in classic pendant and earring designs. During these years, the refinement of jewelry was highly important, making the designs of this time unique and crafted with a lot of attention to detail. Tanzanite is also used in modern jewelry and is a popular choice for engagement rings due to its symbolic meaning. The designs range from minimalist, sleek pieces to bolder statement items. So, whether it’s a ring, pendant, earrings, or bracelet, Tanzanite always adds a touch of luxury and refinement.

How to Recognize Tanzanite

To recognize tanzanite, you can look for various characteristics that we will discuss in this section. The most notable feature is its color, which ranges from deep blue to purple, with a characteristic trichroism, meaning the color changes depending on the light and the angle of view. Additionally, tanzanite is a fairly hard gemstone, scoring between 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This makes the stone relatively durable and suitable for everyday use, but it is still prone to scratches. Furthermore, the stone has a bright and vibrant color without visible inclusions. To conclusively confirm whether a stone is tanzanite, it is best to have it tested by a professional jeweler or gemologist using specialized equipment.

Summary

Tanzanite is a rare gemstone found exclusively in Tanzania and is known for its enchanting color variations from blue to purple. Discovered in 1967, the stone quickly gained popularity, thanks in part to jewelers like Tiffany & Co. Tanzanite holds deep spiritual significance, such as promoting intuition and self-expression, and is often given as a gift for important milestones. In jewelry, tanzanite is a beloved choice, especially in vintage designs from the 1970s and 1980s, often paired with diamonds. Recognize tanzanite by its color-changing properties and durability, and have its authenticity tested by a professional for peace of mind.