Tanzanite: Information and Buying guide

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The gemstone variety of Zoisite

Tanzanite is one of the newest gemstones on the market. Discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania it was celebrated as The Gemstone of the 20th century'

Tanzanite the beautiful purple blue stone

Tanzanite is rare and has only been found in one small area on this planet. Some say the known mines are starting to play out.
Tanzanite is considered and excellent investment as the mines close down, that price for fine Tanzanite will only go up.

Tanzanite on sale

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Tanzanite is HOT stuff.

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Magnificent untreated tanzanite crystal.
Crystal: Bill Larson collection; Photo: Jeff Scovil

Tanzanite occurs in colors of gray, brown, violet, blue, reddish-purple, and tints of green.

As of right now there is no longer any naturally occurring violet-blue Tanzanite being mined.
All known sorces of deep Violet Tanzanite have played out. Other colors are still being mined,
but color and quality are suffering as less and less good rough is being found.

Today rough Tanzanite of a lighterr color must be heated to 620°C to produce that rich violet-blue color.
Many Tanzanite gems on the market today are more Lilac in color rather than Violet.

ALL new purple Tanzanite gems on the market now are heat treated and should be disclosed as such.

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Rare un heated Canary Yellow Tanzanite

Great must have items for the gem lover

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Something lost along the way.

When Tanzanite is heated is looses pleochroism.

Pleochroism means a gem can look different colors from different angels or sides.
Pleochroism in Tanzanite gives it fire.
After it's heated if no longer looks as sparkly.

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See how these treated Tanzanite look washed out.

What is Zoisite

Zoisite is also refered to as Epidote

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Epidote cabochons

Zoisite is a calcium aluminium hydroxy sorosilicate belonging to the epidote group of minerals.

Zoisite was discovered in 1805 and is named after Baron Sigmund Zois von Edelstein the Slovene scientist who discovered it.

Zoisite comes in many colors,
gray, pale green, brown, white, greenish brown, greenish gray, pink.

Hard to beleive that these gems come from the same family as the beautiful Tanzanite gems.

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Thanks!

  • iij123321 Sep 27, 2011 @ 4:32 am | delete
    thanks for sharing information of Tanzanite

    your lens provide good resource of knowledge;

    Jewellery designing
  • goldrings Nov 10, 2010 @ 3:10 am | delete
    Other than tanzanite, sapphire, pearls, topaz, emerald, etc. are the precoius gemstones. If you like to know about these gemstones, visit bidgoldrings.
  • Nov 5, 2010 @ 10:00 pm | delete
    Nice lens! Great information. Your readers might also be interested in wedding locations and wedding venues information. Feel free to visit and leave a feedback!
    Good luck!
  • paperfacets Sep 11, 2010 @ 6:00 pm | delete
    Gems are so beautiful. There is so much to choose from. I have a very small collection.
  • IcedLilac Dec 14, 2008 @ 5:43 am | delete
    Great Lens! Love Tanzanite also!
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