Nicknamed “ Gem of the 20th century ” for its recent discovery, there is no precious stone as powerful as tanzanite which nevertheless likes to play its charm gently.
General identity sheet for tanzanite
Etymology
The name tanzanite is a reference to the country topotype Tanzania. It was introduced by New York jewelers Tiffany & Co in the 1970s .
Mineral species family
Silicates
Color
From ultramarine to sapphire blue
In its natural state, tanzanite can have yellowish and brown tones which disappear during the heating process (~500°C) to become deep blue.
Places of discovery
Tanzania
Tanzanite only exists in this country in the world. Quantities are limited and it is predicted that the deposits will probably be exhausted within around twenty years.
Physical benefits of tanzanite
Regeneration of skin, nails and hair, toning of the lungs, relief of stomach aches, reduction of vision problems
Psychic and spiritual benefits
Improvement of concentration and creativity, promotion of relaxation, restoration of internal balance, promotion of sleep, improvement of relationships with others
Association
Wisdom, purity, truth and faithfulness
History of the fine tanzanite stone
“At the foot of Kilimanjaro are the main deposits of tanzanite , a stone rarer than diamond. » ( Le Spectacle du monde , 2009)
In 1954, the Maasai tribe, a nomadic tribe living in the plains around Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, accidentally discovered a sparkling blue crystal at the foot of the mountain, which they initially mistook for a sapphire.
In the 1960s, torrential rains swept the hills of this region, sparking bushfires and forcing the Maasai tribe to flee their territory. When the locals finally returned, they found blue stones, which they then took as a celestial sign. Indeed, in their culture, the color blue is sacred. In reality, it was the heat that had transformed the original stones into blue gems.
Known tanzanites
- The most famous tanzanite is the Queen of Kilimanjaro . It weighs 242 carats and adorns a tiara accompanied by 803 tsavorites and 913 “brilliant” cut diamonds, which is part of the collection of Michael Scott, first CEO of Apple
- The Midnight Blue weighs 122 carats and is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC