Tanzanite is a beautiful blue gemstone found only in Tanzania, East Africa. The word "tanzanite" is spelled as /ˈtænzənaɪt/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable is pronounced as "tan" with a short "a" sound and the second syllable is pronounced as "zuh" with a short "u" sound. The final syllable is pronounced as "nait" with a long "a" sound. Correct spelling is important to ensure that the gemstone is properly identified and valued.
Tanzanite is a precious gemstone that is known for its stunning blue-violet color. It is a variety of the mineral zoisite and is primarily found in Tanzania, near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is where its name is derived from. Tanzanite is an incredibly rare gemstone, making it highly valued and sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.
The characteristic color of tanzanite can range from a deep, rich blue to a vibrant violet-blue shade, with the most prized gems displaying a vibrant violet hue. It is often referred to as a trichroic gemstone due to its ability to exhibit different colors when viewed from different angles, presenting shades of blue, violet, and even burgundy.
Tanzanite is known for its pleochroic nature, which means it displays different colors when viewed under different lighting conditions. The gemstone is most commonly found in cushion and oval shapes, and its clarity can range from eye-clean to heavily included.
Due to its rarity and exquisite color, tanzanite is a highly desirable gemstone for both collectors and jewelry designers. It is often used in various types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Its beauty and scarcity make tanzanite an exceptional addition to any jewelry collection, and its unique blue-violet hue continues to captivate gemstone enthusiasts worldwide.
The word tanzanite is derived from its place of origin, Tanzania. Tanzanite is a gemstone that was discovered in the Mererani Hills of northern Tanzania in the 1960s. The name was coined by Henry Platt, the former vice president of the jewelry company Tiffany & Co., to highlight the gemstone's African origins. The suffix -ite is often used in mineral names, so when combined with Tanzania, it forms tanzanite.