Tanzanite is one of the most sought-after blue gemstones. Did you know it is only a few decades old and was discovered in 1967? But with its stunning violet-blue hue, tanzanite has managed to garner a lot of attention in a short span of time. Its rarity has also made the gemstone desirable. In fact, tanzanite is believed to be rarer than diamonds! Intrigued by the blue gemstone? Read on to find out more such interesting facts about tanzanite.
1. Tanzania Is the Only Source of Tanzanite
Unlike other gemstones that can be found in several places around the world, tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania. In fact, the striking blue gemstone can only be found along the foothills of the famous Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, which is roughly about a 4 km stretch. To honour the place where it was found, the blue gem was named tanzanite.
2. It Is Rarer Than Diamonds
Since tanzanite is only found in one place on earth, it won’t be wrong to call it one of the rarest gemstones. It is said that the tanzanite is 1,000 times rarer than diamond. While the blue gem was discovered in 1967, it is believed that tanzanite formed over 500 million years ago! Looking at the increasing demand and limited supply, geologists say that all the mines will be depleted in the next 10-20 years. These factors make tanzanite a truly rare and special gemstone.
3. Tanzanite Displays Trichroism
Tanzanite is one of the few gemstones that display trichroism. A crystal is called trichroic when it exhibits three different colours from different angles and under varying light sources. When held against different light sources, tanzanite displays blue, violet and burgundy hues depending on the orientation of the crystal. This unique and unusual feature makes tanzanite even more desirable.
4. The Largest Rough Tanzanite Was Mined in 2020
In June 2020, a small-scale miner Saniniu Laizer found two rough tanzanite stones weighing 9.2 kgs and 5.8 kgs. He became a millionaire overnight after selling the stones for $3.4 million to Tanzania’s mining ministry. Prior to this, the largest ever discovered tanzanite stone weighed 3.3 kgs.
5. Recognized as Precious Heirloom
Looking at the ever-increasing popularity of tanzanite and limited supply, gemologists believe that the gemstone will soon become a precious heirloom. Since all the tanzanite will be depleted in the next decade or two, no new natural ones will be available for first-time buyers. So, if you wish to own the rare and gorgeous gemstone, now is the perfect time to get your hands on it.
Did You Know?
- Tanzanite is the official birthstone for December and the gemstone for the 24th wedding anniversary.
- It is believed that wearing tanzanite brings you good luck and prosperity.
- Tanzanite scores 6.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it a relatively soft gemstone.
Also Read: Tanzanite Stone
5 Interesting Facts About Tanzanite FAQs
- Does Tanzanite Break Easily?Tanzanite is not a tough gemstone; it ranks 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. While it won’t break easily, the gemstone is susceptible to scratches. This means it should be worn with care.
- How to Identify a Real Tanzanite?Here’s a simple trick to check whether your tanzanite is real or fake. Hold the gemstone against natural light or under incandescent light. If the tanzanite is real, it will display blue color with a hint of purple against natural light. Whereas under incandescent light, it will display purple hue with a tinge of red or pink.
- Can You Swim Wearing a Tanzanite?Tanzanite is a rare, valuable and relatively soft gemstone. While swimming won’t damage the gemstone, it is wise to remove tanzanite jewelry before going in the pool. The harsh chemical in the pool water can sometimes affect the gemstone or the metal of the jewelry.
