Tanzanite - 8 Truths To Note About This Unusual Gemstone

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1. Did you know that while other gemstones can be found naturally in more than one country, Tanzanite is mined only in Tanzania. This makes Tanzanite even more exclusive. More precious.

2. Tanzanite is a modern gemstone. The newest one in fact as it was discovered in 1967.

3. Although Tanzanite is a vivid blue gemstone which looks a lot like sapphire, aesthetically, it has an advantage over coveted sapphire. Tanzanite's strong trichoism properties makes this a very interesting gemstone. From some angles, it appears blue. From other angles, it appears purple or brownish yellow. The most prized tanzanite stones have a lilac hue overlaying the beautiful blue shade.

4. Tanzanite was made popular by Tiffany and Company. In fact, Henry Platt of the New York Jeweler, Tiffany gave Tanzanite its name. If you love Tiffany jewelry, tanzanite is a gemstone to get.

5. Tanzanite is a blue version of zoisite. It is not very hard, being 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale (diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale). Hence, tanzanite should be handled with care. Do not put clean it in an ultrasonic bath. Do not let it come into contact with acids.

6. Tanzanite has an beautiful aura of mystery, with its deep blue color and purplish (lilac to violet) hues that give it a mysterious aura. Both are very cool colors and look fabulous with black and silver and other cool shades. Unfortunately, the brownish yellow hue, the third color in the mix clashes with the other two and is considered undesirable. However that brownish shade can be made to disappear by heating the stone.

7. The wholesale prices of Tanzanite have more than doubled from 2000 to early 2007. Back in 2000, the per carat wholesale price for tanzanite was $225. In early 2007, per carat wholesale prices of Tanzanite have risen to $500. Now, TanzaniteOne Ltd., a tanzanite company has established a DeBeers like hold on the tanzanite industry, which means prices of tanzanite are likely to soar.

8. Tanzanite is a December birthstone as declared by the American Gem Trade Association. It was the first gemstone added to the list since 1912.