The name
Tanzanite is derived from Tanzania, which is located in eastern African. This
is only place that this December birthstone can be found, and it was first
discovered in the year 1967. It has been called the gemstone of the 20th
century and has been made quite popular by Tiffanys in New York City. When the
first glimpse of this brilliant blue stone with purple tones was seen,
specifically discovered in the northern Merelani Hills of Tanzania near Arusha,
it was quite a sight.
In Merelani
today, the search is carried on for the coveted crystals in several, smallish
mines, in some cases using modern methods. As a rule, only small grains are
found, but now and again the mineworkers succeed in fetching out a larger
crystal – to the joy of the mine owners and that of the large number of
tanzanite fans.
The
tanzanite trade is in the hands of many licensed merchants, mostly on a small
scale, who have, over the decades, built up stable, trusting business
relationships with gemstone companies in India, Germany, Israel and the USA. An
estimated 90 per cent of all tanzanite merchants are official members of the
International Coloured Gemstone Association ICA, and are thus bound by the high
ethical standards of that organisation. In this way, this exclusive gemstone is
not subject to trade via dubious channels, but instead, in spite of its rarity,
passed on along reputable trade routes to established cutting-centres and
subsequently to major jewellers all round the world.
Common Cuts:
Tanzanite
gems are most commonly, although by no means exclusively, fashioned into Oval
and Cushion cuts. All accepted gem cuts are however available.
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