Tanzanite

Tanzanite was added to the official list of birthstones by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002, the first such addition since the early part of the twentieth century. This new December birthstone is found only at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. It adds 20 million dollars annually to the income of the African state of Tanzania.

Tanzanite was designated an alternate birthstone for the month of December by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002, the first change in the official list in ninety years. It is the bluish purple variety of the mineral zoisite, and is found only in Tanzania, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mining of this gem brings in 20 million dollars annually to the African state of Tanzania. Most tanzanites on the market are heat treated, which does not lower the value. The best stones are flawless to the naked eye.

Legend has it that Masai cattle herders discovered tanzanite. At first there was confusion over its identity. The first person to identify it correctly was Ian McCloud, a Tanzanian government geologist. The discovery occurred in 1967. There has not been enough time for a body of myth and folklore to grow up around this stone. Crystal healers associate it with spiritual perception, truth and happiness.

The mining of tanzanite is fraught with difficulties. The crystals are widely dispersed in hard rock. A combination of picks and shovels, iron bars and jackhammers is used, which destroys some fine specimens. The crystals fracture easily. The mines are dangerous, poorly constructed, and subject to flooding.

Tanzanite was presented to the public by the Tiffany Company of New York, and was received with great enthusiasm. Today, tanzanite is among the top gemstones used in high end jewelry Good stones command extremely high prices.

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 and added to the official list of birthstones by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002. This bluish purple zoisite is found only in Tanzania, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Good stones can sell for one thousand dollars a carat or more.