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Tanzanite: description, properties and photo

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a rare gemstone, a type of mineral zoisite. Only one of its deposits is known in the world – in the north of Tanzania, which was discovered in the middle of the 20th century. The name in honor of the producing country was given to this stone by the president of Tiffany & Co. Henry Platt. The classic color is blue-violet. This color is almost always the result of heat treatment of the stone. Most unheated samples have a brownish color. The most expensive samples are vivid blue. There are also specimens of blue and greenish-blue with a purple hue.

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Properties Facts History Enhancement Photo

Tanzanite has a characteristic property – the presence of strong pleochroism. You can observe different color shades in the stone, depending on the direction of observation. This property can be used in its identification. Very rare and expensive colors of untreated zoisite are: yellow, orange, pink and green. In faceted form, tanzanites can reach quite large sizes, and now it is not a big deal to find specimens on the world market weighing more than 10 carats, which would be distinguished by good clarity. They are constantly becoming more expensive, and according to the estimates of the mining company, their reserves will last only for the next 20 years. About how to choose a good copy, we tell in the buyer’s guide.

DEPOSITS

The world’s only tanzanite mine is located on the Merelani Plateau in Arusha Province in northern Tanzania. The main mining is carried out underground using eluvial placers formed during the destruction of these rocks. In some areas, the content of tanzanites in 1 ton of ore can reach 60 carats. Tanzanite One Group company was a main producer from 2004. Its reserves will be enough for about 20 years of active development according to estimates.

Properties

Mineral:

zoisite

Chemical formula:

Ca2Al3 (SiO4) 3 (OH)

Crystal Systems:

orthorhombic

Mohs scale hardness:

6-7

Optical character:

Anisotropic

Cleavage:

perfect in one direction

Density:

3.35 g / cm3

Luster:

Vitreous

Refractive index:

1,691-1,700

Birefringence:

0.008-0.013

Dispersion:

0,021

Color:

blue, blue-violet, yellowish green, etc.

Interesting facts

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 at the foot of the Kilimanjaro volcano in Tanzania
Tanzanites are mined in only one deposit in the world - on the Merelani plateau in Tanzania..
Tiffany & Co. was involved in promoting the gem to the jewelry podium.
The stone was shot in the Oscar-winning film ‘Titanic’ as the large blue diamond ‘Heart of the Ocean’.

History

The first tanzanite was discovered by the portuguese Manuel de Souza in the summer of 1967. While searching for rubies in the vicinity of Kilimanjaro volcano, he found crystals of blue-violet zoisite, which he mistook for sapphires. Later, the stone caught the eye of the president of Tiffany & Co. Henry Platt, who saw the prospects of new gems, and the company took up their "promotion". At one time, the gem was perceived solely as a substitute for blue sapphires. Tanzanites have become very highly regarded as an independent gem because of its beauty, rarity and proper promotion.

Photo

The photo shows faceted tanzanites. Over 10 carats each

In the photo: a sample weighted 24,56 ct

On the photo: stone with a pronounced polychrome property (a combination of several colors)

On the photo: zoisite with a rare natural pink color

Written by Ildar Akhmetzyanov

In 2009, I've completed the full course of Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological Prospecting. The subject area is precious gemstones: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamonds, and Alexandrite. That year, I've visited: Davdar Emerald Deposit, situated in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Spinel, Chrysolite, and Kunzite Deposits, Namak Mandi Gems Market in Pakistan. Next year, I've graduated from the Moscow University of Industry and Finance. The subject area is project management. In 2012, I've founded my own company - Gemlovers, which specialized in selling gemstones. Since 2010, I have taken more than 40 trips to Asian countries as Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, etc. looking for lovely gemstones