December's Newest Birthstone - Tanzanite

What do Tanzania, December, and Tiffany & Co all have in common? The beautiful gemstone Tanzanite, of course.

Tanzanite is a single source gemstone that can only be found in one place on earth – the hills of Tanzania. In fact, the mines in which this gemstone can be found are only 14 square kilometers in size! Because it can only be found in such a small part of the world, tanzanite is said to be one thousand times rarer than diamonds, making it a must-have for any jewelry lover.

Tanzanite is the purple, violet, and blue variety of zoisite. It was first brought to market by Tiffany & Co. in the late 1960’s after it was discovered in 1967 by a man named Manuel De Souza. Despite being a relatively new gemstone, Tanzanite has become so popular that in 2002, it was added to the list of December birthstones.

While De Souza is officially credited for discovering the gem, legend says that a magical fire that had the power to transform rocks into brightly colored gemstones swept through the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and burned for days. When the fire vanished and the dust cleared, local cattle herders found the blue gemstones and declared them as a sign of good fortune and peace. To this day, it is said that tanzanite jewelry brings the wearer luck and prosperity.

Tanzanite can range from a light lilac to an intense, deep blue color, which is the most valuable shade available. Tanzanite is strongly pleochroic, meaning the color can change subtly when viewed at different angles. As the stone is rotated you can see blue, reddish purple, and bluish green colors within the same stone. 

Most jewelry experts agree this gemstone is a must have for any gemstone enthusiast, especially because of its rarity. Once the current mines are depleted, we may never find another source for this beautiful gem. Shop SilverAndGold.com now to ensure you are able to own a piece of history before it’s too late.