Tanzanite: The Rare Blue-Violet Gemstone Found in Only One Place on Earth
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Few gemstones possess the visual drama and rarity of Tanzanite.
With colours shifting between deep blue, violet and purple depending on the viewing angle, Tanzanite has become one of the most distinctive modern gemstones in fine jewellery. Even more remarkable is its origin: commercially mined Tanzanite comes from essentially one small mining area in northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro.
Its combination of rarity, saturated colour and relatively recent discovery gives Tanzanite a very different character from ancient gemstones such as jade, ruby or sapphire.
What Is Tanzanite?
Tanzanite is the blue-to-violet gem variety of the mineral zoisite.
Mineralogy
Mineral: Zoisite Mineral Group: Epidote group Chemical Composition: Calcium aluminium silicate hydroxide Formula: Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH) Mohs Hardness: Approximately 6–7 Typical Colour: Violet-blue, blue-violet to violet-purple Specific Gravity: Approximately 3.35 Refractive Index: Approximately 1.691–1.700
GIA identifies Tanzanite as violet-blue to blue-violet zoisite and records a Mohs hardness of approximately 6–7.
This makes Tanzanite sufficiently durable for jewellery when worn with care, although it is not as resistant to knocks as sapphire or diamond.
Tanzanite Origin: A Gemstone from One Extraordinary Location
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Tanzanite gemstone is its extremely restricted geographic source.
Commercial Tanzanite deposits are associated with the Merelani Hills in northern Tanzania, in the Lelatema Mountains area of the Manyara Region.
Unlike gemstones such as quartz, garnet or tourmaline that occur in many countries, Tanzanite's commercially important source is concentrated in this single region.
This extraordinary geographical limitation is a major reason Tanzanite has developed such a strong identity in the gemstone world.
The Discovery and History of Tanzanite
Tanzanite is surprisingly young compared with most famous gemstones.
The stone was discovered in Tanzania in 1967, and after gemological examination it was identified as a transparent blue-violet variety of zoisite. Tiffany & Co. subsequently popularised the name “Tanzanite”, referencing its country of origin.
Its entry into the jewellery market was remarkably fast.
By the late 1960s, Tanzanite was already being introduced to international consumers as an exotic new gemstone with a colour unlike almost anything previously available.
Today it is also recognised as one of the December birthstones.
Why Does Tanzanite Change Colour?
One of Tanzanite's defining characteristics is pleochroism.
Pleochroic gemstones display different colours when viewed from different crystallographic directions.
Tanzanite can show combinations of:
Blue
Violet
Purple
Greenish or yellow-brown tones in some untreated material
This means that a skilled gemstone cutter must carefully orient the rough crystal before cutting it.
The chosen orientation can influence whether the finished Tanzanite appears predominantly blue or predominantly violet.
GIA notes that predominantly blue face-up Tanzanites can be more difficult to cut while retaining maximum weight, helping make strong blue examples particularly desirable.
Is Tanzanite Heat Treated?
Yes — heat treatment is extremely common with Tanzanite.
Many naturally occurring crystals initially show brownish, greenish or muted tones.
Controlled heating can reduce these unwanted colours and enhance the characteristic blue-violet appearance associated with Tanzanite jewellery.
Mindat notes that a significant proportion of Tanzanite on the market has been heated to enhance its blue-violet colour.
Heat treatment is therefore generally accepted within the gemstone trade.
However, buyers should still be informed about treatment whenever reliable information is available.
How to Identify Tanzanite
A genuine Tanzanite should not be identified purely by colour.
Several gemstones and synthetic materials can imitate its blue-violet appearance.
Gemologists may evaluate:
Pleochroism - Strong changes between blue, violet and related hues may be visible from different directions.
Refractive Properties - Professional refractometer testing can help identify zoisite.
Inclusions - Natural internal characteristics may be visible under magnification.
Specific Gravity
Spectroscopic Properties
Laboratory Testing
For valuable Tanzanite jewellery, an independent gemstone laboratory report can provide significantly more confidence than commercial descriptions such as “AAA”.
Importantly, GIA notes that labels such as AAA, AA or A are not internationally standardised Tanzanite grades. Different sellers may apply these terms differently.
Different Types of Tanzanite in the Market
Although Tanzanite is one gemstone variety, jewellery sellers commonly differentiate pieces according to colour and treatment.
Blue Tanzanite
Strong royal-blue examples with violet flashes are among the most highly sought-after.
Violet Tanzanite
These stones display a more obvious violet or purple face-up colour.
They can be exceptionally elegant, particularly under warm indoor lighting.
Blue-Violet Tanzanite
Perhaps the colour combination most closely associated with classic Tanzanite.
The gemstone changes beautifully between blue and violet depending on light and viewing angle.
Heated Tanzanite
This represents much of the commercial market.
Heating is used to improve or stabilise the desirable blue-violet appearance.
Unheated Tanzanite
Unheated material exists but may display additional brown, yellow or green components.
Pieces with attractive natural colour and reliable documentation may appeal particularly to collectors.
Pale or Pastel Tanzanite
Lower colour saturation creates lighter lavender-blue shades.
These pieces can offer a softer and more contemporary appearance than intensely saturated stones.
Tanzanite Quality: What Should You Look For?
Unlike diamond's internationally familiar grading system, Tanzanite does not have one universal AAA-style grading standard.
When choosing Tanzanite, consider:
Colour
Rich blue-violet colours with strong saturation are generally highly desirable.
Clarity
Eye-clean transparent stones are usually preferred for fine jewellery.
Cut
A good cut should maximise brilliance while displaying an attractive face-up colour.
Carat Weight
Large Tanzanite stones can show particularly dramatic depth of colour.
Treatment Disclosure
Ask whether any treatment information is available.
Tanzanite Meaning and Historical Beliefs
Because Tanzanite was only discovered commercially in the twentieth century, it does not have thousands of years of ancient folklore like jade, lapis lazuli or turquoise.
Its symbolism is therefore largely modern.
Western Symbolism
In contemporary crystal traditions, Tanzanite is often associated with:
Transformation
Intuition
Personal growth
Calmness
Communication
Spiritual awareness
Its transition from relatively ordinary-looking rough material into striking blue-violet gemstone has also helped create its modern association with transformation.
These meanings belong to cultural and metaphysical traditions rather than established scientific effects.
Chinese Perspective
Tanzanite does not have a significant traditional role in ancient Chinese gemstone culture because it was unknown until modern times.
However, modern Chinese crystal practices sometimes interpret gemstones through their colour using Wu Xing — the Five Elements.
This offers a contemporary way of incorporating Tanzanite into Chinese elemental symbolism.
Tanzanite and Wu Xing — Five Elements
Tanzanite's dominant blue and violet colours can be interpreted through the Five Elements system.
Primary Element: Water 水
Deep blue is strongly associated with Water.
Water traditionally represents:
Wisdom
Adaptability
Flow
Reflection
Communication
Depth
For this reason, strongly blue Tanzanite may commonly be interpreted as having significant Water energy.
Secondary Influence: Fire 火
Violet and purple contain warmer visual qualities and are sometimes associated with Fire symbolism.
This creates an interesting symbolic balance:
Water — calmness, wisdom and fluidityFire — expression, inspiration and transformation
Rather than belonging to an ancient Tanzanite tradition, this is a modern colour-based interpretation of Wu Xing.
Tanzanite Crystal Benefits and Symbolism
Within modern crystal practices, Tanzanite is commonly chosen by people seeking symbolism connected with:
Emotional Calm
Its blue-violet colour is often associated with peacefulness and emotional balance.
Communication
Blue gemstones are traditionally linked with clear expression and communication in many modern crystal systems.
Transformation
Tanzanite's relatively recent discovery and dramatic transformation through cutting and, commonly, heating have made transformation one of its most recognisable symbolic themes.
Intuition
Purple and violet gemstones are frequently associated with intuition and introspection.
Personal Growth
Some collectors use Tanzanite as a symbolic reminder of change, development and entering new chapters of life.
Important: Crystal healing and metaphysical benefits are traditional or spiritual beliefs and are not scientifically established medical treatments.
Who Might Enjoy Wearing Tanzanite?
Tanzanite can be particularly appealing for:
December birthdays
Lovers of blue and purple gemstones
Collectors of geographically rare gemstones
Those seeking an alternative to sapphire
Anniversary jewellery
Statement rings, pendants and earrings
Collectors interested in modern gemstone history
GIA lists Tanzanite as both a December birthstone and a gemstone associated with the 24th wedding anniversary.
How to Care for Tanzanite Jewellery
Tanzanite requires more thoughtful care than harder gemstones.
Because its hardness is around 6–7 and it can be vulnerable to hard impacts, avoid wearing Tanzanite jewellery during activities where it could be knocked against hard surfaces.
For cleaning, GIA recommends warm soapy water as a safe method.
Avoid:
Hard impacts
Extreme temperature changes
Aggressive ultrasonic cleaning unless suitability has been professionally confirmed
Harsh chemicals
Wearing Tanzanite during heavy physical activities
Rings deserve particular care because they experience more accidental impact than pendants or earrings.
Did You Know?
Tanzanite is one of the few internationally famous gemstones whose modern commercial history can essentially be traced back to a single generation.
It was discovered only in 1967, yet rapidly became recognised around the world.
Even more remarkably, its commercially significant deposits remain concentrated in the Merelani mining area of Tanzania.
Another interesting fact: although jewellery retailers may advertise Tanzanite as “AAA”, “AAAA” or similar grades, there is no universal industry-wide Tanzanite grading system using these labels.
When comparing pieces, look beyond the grade name and examine the actual colour, clarity, cut, size and documentation.
Why Tanzanite Feels So Luxurious
Luxury does not always come from tradition.
Sometimes it comes from rarity.
Tanzanite combines three extraordinary characteristics:
A remarkable blue-violet colour.A highly restricted geographic origin.A gemstone history beginning only in the modern era.
That gives Tanzanite a distinctive identity: contemporary enough for modern jewellery, yet rare enough to feel truly exceptional.
A beautifully cut Tanzanite does not simply appear blue.
As it moves through the light, violet and purple begin to emerge — giving the gemstone its unmistakable depth and character.
Discover Tanzanite at D’Crystals
Whether you're drawn to Tanzanite for its remarkable colour, Tanzanian origin, December birthstone connection or modern symbolism, it is a gemstone that deserves to be appreciated both scientifically and aesthetically.
Explore our crystal and gemstone collections at:
Natural beauty is never completely identical from one piece to another — and that individuality is part of what makes gemstones extraordinary.
References
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — Tanzanite Gem Encyclopedia and Tanzanite Description.
GIA Tanzanite Buyer's Guide — quality factors, treatment, durability and grading terminology.
Mindat.org — Tanzanite mineral data and Merelani Hills locality information.
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) — Tanzanite history and December birthstone background.
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