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Blog - June 22, 2026

The African Evening Sky: Tanzanite

Discovered near the tail end of the 20th century, tanzanite is celebrated as one of the most exciting gemstone finds in modern history. Boasting a rich, velvety color profile that blends deep blue, vibrant violet, and rich purple, this exotic beauty possesses a striking visual depth. It is highly coveted for its dramatic elegance and its incredible, countdown-like geographical scarcity.

Captivating Facts About Tanzanite

  • A Single-Source Geological Miracle: Tanzanite is famously mined in only one square mile on the entire planet: the Merelani Hills near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Because its geological formation was so uniquely complex, scientists estimate the chances of finding another tanzanite deposit anywhere else on Earth are less than one in a million.
  • The Trichroic Shift: Tanzanite is a deeply trichroic gemstone, meaning it displays three distinct colors depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In its raw form, a single crystal can flash deep blue, velvety violet, and a warm burgundy red-brown simultaneously as it turns under the light.
  • The Secret of Heat: Naturally mined tanzanite usually comes out of the ground with a muddy brown or yellowish tint. It is only when the gemstone is carefully heated to around 600 degrees Celsius (either naturally by geothermal activity or safely in a lab furnace) that the dull brown tones vanish, permanently locking in the legendary electric blue and violet color.
  • Named by Tiffany & Co.: Tanzanite is technically a variety of the mineral zoisite. However, when the luxury jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. saw the gem shortly after its 1967 discovery, they knew the scientific name blue zoisite sounded too much like blue suicide to be a commercial success. They renamed it tanzanite after its native country to honor its exotic origins.
  • The Generation Gemstone: Because the tiny mining patch in Tanzania is being steadily depleted, experts widely predict that the current generation will be the last one able to purchase newly mined tanzanite directly from the source. Once the Merelani deposits run dry, the gem will become entirely a legacy collector’s item.
  • A Modern December Icon: In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association officially added tanzanite to the birthstone lineup for December. This was a monumental milestone, marking the first time the global birthstone list had been altered or expanded since 1912.