Found in just one place on earth, the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Tanzanite is a relatively recent discovery. Tiffany & Company recognized its potential as an international seller and made a deal to become its main distributor. Tiffany named the gemstone after the country it came from, and promoted it with a big publicity campaign in 1968. Almost overnight, Tanzanite was popular with leading jewellery designers and other gem professionals, as well as with customers who had an eye for beautiful and unusual gems.

The instant popularity of this transparent blue-to-violet gem was tied to its vivid colour, high clarity, and potential for large-cut stones.  The Tanzanite crystals show different colours depending on the viewing direction.  Gemstone cutters can fashion gems with a range of colour from violetish blue to bluish violet depending on how much weight they want to retain from the rough.

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Tanzanite's appearance is influenced greatly by its pleochroism, which is the ability of a gemstone to show different colours when viewed in different crystal directions, Andalusite is another great example of a pleochroic gemstone. Tanzanite's pleochroism was documented in scientific papers not long after its discovery and in 1969, American Mineralogist described the gem's pleochroic colours as `red-violet, deep blue, and yellow-green.' Today, most Tanzanite gemstones are heat treated, which removes or reduces the yellow-green or brownish pleochroic colour. thus maximizing the blue and violet.

Top-quality tanzanite can be violetish blue, similar to a fine sapphire colour. Some stones might also appear more purplish depending on how the Lapidarist (gemstone cutter) chooses to orient the fashioned gem.

 

This means that every tanzanite is a blend of these pleochroic colours. The exact face-up colour depends on the inherent colour of the original rough, its size, the pleochroic colours the cutter favours when they orient the fashioned stone, and the light the finished gem is viewed under.

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Cool lighting, like daylight equivalent fluorescent, will emphasize Tanzanite's blue, while warm lighting such as incandescent will make it appear more violet-to-purple.

Just like other coloured gemstones, vivid strongly-coloured Tanzanites are highly sought after. Lighter-toned pastel hues are more plentiful and affordable than vivid colours and have a subtle appeal of their own.

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Tanzanite is a birthstone for December, along with zircon and turquoise.

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Tanzanite is also the gem for a 24th anniversary.

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In our fast-paced lives, finding inner balance and emotional healing is essential. It is believed that Tanzanite radiates a soothing energy that promotes emotional well-being and inner harmony. Its gentle vibrations assist in calming an overactive mind, relieving stress, and bringing a sense of serenity into our lives.

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(Very important points to consider...)

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We do our utmost to ensure that you will receive AAAA grade Tanzanite if this is what you really prefer...  

 

However, there is no official Tanzanite grading system as there is for Diamonds. In fact, other than the GIA’s grading system for colourless Diamonds, there is no standardized grading system yet in place for any other gemstone on the market today.

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Some of you may have heard Tanzanite described as AA, AAA, or AAAA. So what’s the story?  Many jewellery companies over the years created their own grading systems using the four A's.

  

It is important to note that although there are fewer AAAA Tanzanites available on the market and many people prize them above all others, they do come with a higher price tag due to their scarcity, more importantly, they usually do not offer as much pleochroism as lighter grades will, unless you are purchasing 6 carats plus.  It really is a matter of taste. 

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For this reason, many people will aim for AAA/AAA+ grade as it is usually a great compromise between the much darker hues of an AAAA, and the more feminine pinks and purples you will see in the AA grades.  So we can have your Tanzanite graded and aim for AAAA, but please bear in mind the above points and the fact that depending on where you have your Tanzanite graded the results are never consistent.  Better to use a reputable company such as ours that know their Tanzanite, has worked with the stone for many years and will ONLY EVER use Tanzanite of exceptional colour and clarity.