DECEMBER: TANZANITE

Written by Baroque Rocks

December has four birthstones: Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Tanzanite and Zircon. Each gemstone is prized for its striking colour and remarkable history in jewellery. From the serene blue of Turquoise and the celestial depth of Lapis Lazuli, to the vivid violet-blue of Tanzanite and the brilliant sparkle of Zircon, December offers one of the most colourful and captivating birthstone collections of the year.

December Birthstone: Tanzanite
December’s tantalising Tanzanite, is celebrated for its extraordinary violet-blue hues and remarkable rarity. The Tanzanite gemstone belongs to the Zoisite mineral family and is famed for its striking colour, which shifts between Sapphire blue, violet and flashes of burgundy depending on the light — a phenomenon known as pleochroism.

Discovered in 1967 in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Tanzanite is one of the most recent additions to the gemstone world.  Its rarity is extraordinary: the gemstone is found in just one small region of the Earth, making it far rarer than Diamonds.  Little wonder that this vibrant jewel has quickly become one of the most coveted gemstones of the modern era.

Healing Properties:
Tanzanite has long been associated with transformation, intuition and spiritual awakening.  Believed to inspire clarity, creativity and emotional balance, and often regarded as a gemstone of insight and higher consciousness.  In short: superstyle Tanzanite for its vivacious violet-blue glow and let creativity awaken.

Potted History & Magical Myths:
The story of Tanzanite is as extraordinary as the gemstone itself.  According to local legend, Maasai herders first discovered the brilliant blue crystals after lightning strikes set fire to the grasslands of northern Tanzania, revealing the vivid gemstones beneath the earth.

Recognising the stone’s beauty, Tiffany & Co. introduced Tanzanite to the world market in the late 1960s and gave the gemstone its now famous name in honour of its single geographic origin — Tanzania.

Because Tanzanite occurs in only one location on Earth, many gem experts believe that the existing supply may eventually be exhausted.  This rarity has only increased the gemstone’s desirability among collectors and jewellery lovers alike.  Tanzanite is the most fascinating gemstone of the modern age!

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