Tanzanite, a captivating gemstone with a distinct violet-blue hue, adds a touch of sophistication to December birthstone engagement rings. With stunning hues of blue, this stone is akin to morning sunlight dancing across fresh frost and is utterly perfect for the season!
The Meaning
Celebrated as the Gemstone of the 20th Century, originally known as blue zoisite but was renamed by Tiffany & Co jewellers as Tanzanite, this beautiful stone has a rich history with spiritualism and the exploration of psychic powers. Said to provide an energy of happiness and relief from worries, it inspires one to feel more compassionate, loving and centred. Since the zoisite crystals appear as common brown pebbles before being treated, the gemstone went undiscovered until 1962 in Tanzania when lightning caused a brushfire which, by a stroke of fortune, heated some surfaced pebbles to the right temperature, unveiling the breathtaking blue gems. While known for its blue colour, tanzanite is also available in the much rarer pink shade.
Wearability
Tanzanite scores a 6-7 on the Moh's hardness scale, the gemstone has a trichroic structure, meaning that it changes colour with every slant of sunlight. It can soften into violet and indigo or deepen into the darkest richest hues of blue. The beautiful violet tones of tanzanite are formed by a traditional heating process, so this gem should not be exposed to sudden temperature changes of either extreme heat or cold. Its general durability is comparable to amethyst, citrine, garnet and tourmaline. As an everyday ring, you can expect scratches to occur on the crown of your gem. In 5 years with daily wear, you may require re-polishing of the table of the gem which can generally be done in the mounting.
Designs
- Gráinne