Tanzanites and Tanzanite Jewelry
Tanzanite History
Tanzanite
jewelry is the youngest of gemstone jewelry. The beautiful blue
stone was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, the only place in the world
where tanzanite is found. Tanzanite is a blue zoisite that was re-named
tanzanite by Tiffany & Co.
Tanzanite is blue with overtones of purple; the smaller stones
can sometimes be lighter and be more lavender while the larger stones
have a deeper, richer color. Tanzanite
rings have shifts of color in different types of lighting. In
the sunlight, the stone should have its true color during midday
and in the mornings and afternoon, it has red, yellow or orange
tones. With light bulbs or candlelight, the blue may look violet
or purple and the gray may look brownish. In fluorescent light,
the tanzanite may look bluer. Halogen lights could make tanzanite
more purple.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, tanzanite ranks a 6 to 7. Since
it is fragile, it should be protected from hard knocks to prevent
chips.
Almost all tanzanites have been heat treated to 500�C to turn
the tanzanite into a beautiful blue color because the rough form
comes in a brown-yellow color. Heating is a common practice and
is accepted in the jewelry industry. Only those stones that do not
have a lot of inclusions can be heat-treated or else the stone will
be damaged with cracks or fissures.
Tanzanite is recommended for the 24th wedding anniversary.
How to Buy Tanzanite Rings and Jewelry
The coveted color of tanzanites is blue with a purplish hue. Typically
they have several colors in one stone. It is important to look at
the stone with different types of backgrounds to see if the stone
is washed out when on a white background or if colors disappear
with a black background. Look at the stone in different types of
lighting to see the many shades and to see if the color is uneven.
Always look at the color through a 10x power loupe so you can truly
see the subtle differences in color and shading.
Just like diamonds, the 4 C's are important. Compare the cut,
clarity, color, and carat weights of the tanzanite you want to purchase.
Compare carat weights of different tanzanite stones you are thinking
of purchasing. Always remember to compare the price per carat so
you can get the best deal for your money.
Some imitation tanzanites are glass, synthetic corundum and synthetic
spinel. Watch out for imitation tanzanite
rings.
Some questions to ask when purchasing gemstones are:
- Has the stone been treated?
- Is the stone natural or synthetic?
- Are there any noticeable scratches, chips or inclusions?
- Is the color even throughout the stone?
- How good is the color?
As with all purchases comparison-shop and see how much different retailers
are selling the same item. Research information on tanzanite rings to make sure you get the best value for your
purchase.
Tanzanite Care
Tanzanite can be washed with lukewarm soapy water. Never use a sonic
cleaner or steamer.
The stones are relatively fragile and must take care of protecting
the stone from bumps and hits to prevent cracks or chips.
Tanzanite stones are very sensitive to extreme and sudden change
in temperatures. Do not emerge the gemstone into hot water after
it was exposed to a cold air conditioner or vice versa. The stones
can crack if in a sudden temperature change.
Always store your tanzanite jewelry in a fabric-lined box to keep
it safe from other pieces of jewelry. Never wear your jewelry when
doing rough work or working with harsh chemicals.
With these tips, your beautiful tanzanites should last you for
many years.
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