The natural Tanzanites you see are courtesy of Nomad’s for the purpose of education.
WHAT IS TANZANITE?
Tanzanite has a very short history compared to most all colored gemstones. It is said that a Massai tribesman discovered this charismatic stone in 1967. A year later, Tiffany & Co made this blue-violet mineral (zoisite) a sensation when it introduced it to the world as “Tanzanite”.
While it is only found in Tanzania, its pleochroic color possibilities range beyond blue and violet hues!
There is a wonderful story that a lightning strike caused a fire in the grasslands, whose heat transformed the naturally brownish-greenish-yellow zoisite into the intensely ravishing blue-violet we know well.
We’ve outlined points to help you understand value and what to ask to make an informed decision on a piece of jewelry you will LOVE!
LOOKING AT WHERE TO BUY TANZANITE JEWELRY FOR YOU OR AS A GIFT FOR HER?
As your fine jewelry guide, we specialize in pieces that empowers you to be seen and taken seriously. The Brilliant Concierge service gives you peace of mind in choosing jewelry for your wardrobe needs or a jewelry gift that will loved and worn.
Ever see a Tanzanite crystal as it comes out of the Earth…
…and pleochroism in action?
What color is Tanzanite?
Ideal Tanzanites display an intense variation of a blue-violet or violet-blue hue, depending on the angle the stone is viewed and the kind of light. This optical phenomenon is called pleochroism, which means sometimes a stone will appear more blue and other times more violet depending on these conditions.
As mentioned above, Tanzanite is of the mineral group zoisite, which naturally has more earthy brownish-greenish-yellow tones. Heat treatment transforms stones into the rich blue-violet range, but sometimes exceptional stones are found in an array of beautiful colors in their natural state. These are rare and therefore can be more valuable than their blue-violet siblings.
Another factor that affects value is clarity. While stones with inclusions can be stunning, those that have a clear, intense color are the most prized. Tanzanites that display more pale hues also have a lower market value.
Regardless of what is the market “ideal”, what matters most is the stone that moves you!
This fluid fine jewelry concierge includes curating:
cocktail rings
go-to stud earrings
layering necklaces
bracelets
responsibly sourced Tanzanite for bespoke jewelry
Learn more about our specialized service.
Tanzanite is found in an area about 2.5 miles wide and 1.25 miles long among the Mererani Hills at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
This tiny area is the only known place on earth that formed zoisite in such unique circumstances 585 million years ago. It is believed that the odds of finding Tanzanite anywhere else on earth is one in a million.
For these reasons, it is a finite resource, although it is not known how much material remains or when the mine will be depleted.
The origin of gemstones: TRACEABILITY
Just as we know where our food comes from and who made our clothes, why not jewelry? The breathtaking gems you see here are courtesy of Nomad’s.
Below is an example of their proprietary Provenance Report, demonstrating their commitment to transparency, trust, and traceability. Beyond the descriptive details about each gemstone, the report discloses the history of the origin and a specific gemstone’s journey to the cutting wheel - literally mapping and disclosing the supply chain.
A sample report outlining details of a single Nomad’s gemstone, as well as the history of origin and traceability story.
What does ethically and sustainably sourced jewelry mean?
Women and men at the forefront of this global conversation will have slightly different perspectives, but there is a shared ethos: responsible sourcing.
This encompasses traceability, conflict-free, protecting people, their skills, and the environment - be it land or sea.
An ongoing initiative worth following is the Jewelry Glossary Project.
The purpose is to create shared definitions of key terms within the jewelry industry for use by the trade and the public. The project was launched to increase transparency throughout the supply chain, by building consensus on definitions for key terms and creating accountability for their usage.
As it comes out of the Earth, Tanzanite exhibits more brownish-greenish-yellow tones.
Heat treatment is what transforms stones into the rich blue-violet range that we are familiar with. It is a common, accepted practice and the majority of what we see in the market is heat-treated.
Sometimes exceptional stones are found in an array of beautiful colors in their natural state. These are rare and therefore can be significantly more valuable than their blue-violet siblings.
The MOHS SCALE:
How hard is TANZANITE?
hard, but susceptible to everyday scratches
The Mohs scale of hardness is important to consider when choosing a particular stone for a particular kind of wear.
It is the degree of mineral “hardness”, measured by the resistance which a smooth surface offers to abrasion: 1 (soft) to 10 (hard). For example, an 8 will scratch a gemstone that is a 7 or below. Simply put, the softer the stone, the more careful you need to be about wearing that stone in jewelry that may be exposed to more wear.
Does Tanzanite scratch easily?
YES.
This is a question you’re most likely to ask when buying gemstones and jewelry. Knowing how hard it is (or any other stone) will help you to determine whether it is an everyday gemstone or an occasional piece.
While this gemstone is in the hard range at 6 - 7, it is very susceptible to everyday scratches and damage with accidental bumps. Choosing kinds of jewelry (i.e. cocktail rings, necklaces, or earrings) that will encounter less contact with harder surfaces is a good option.
While it can be enjoyed as an everyday ring, be aware it is vulnerable to scratches over time, and at some point, it may require polishing.
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How to care for Tanzanite jewelry
A few jewelry care basics can keep your pieces looking their best, avoid damage and loss of gemstones.
WEAR: When dressing for day or night, jewelry should be the last thing on and the first thing off. Contact with chemicals such as fragrance, hairspray, nail polish remover, household cleaners, and chlorine can harm jewelry. Especially emeralds, as these can damage any enhancements or oiling.
Remove jewelry when cleaning, gardening, swimming, or playing sports, as contact with hard surfaces can scratch, damage, or loosen stones in prongs.
CHECK SETTINGS AND STONES: Inspect jewelry before wearing it to check if the stones are chipped, loose, or rattle in settings.
CLEANING: All precious metals, gemstones, and pearls should be cleaned regularly, but require different care. For example, ultrasonic cleaners can crack emeralds - and shatter Tanzanite, pearls, and opals. Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners with Tanzanite.
● For gemstones on the Mohs scale at 7 or above, a simple cleaning solution is warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. For those at 6 or below, replace the toothbrush with a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
● A soft polishing cloth will keep any precious metal looking its best.
● Take any investment pieces to a trustworthy professional jeweler once a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.
● See our full guide to How To Clean Fine Jewelry.
STORAGE: Keep jewelry individually stored in a pouch or box to avoid scratches and abrasions from other gemstones and metal, as well as general tangles and dents.
INSURANCE: For any jewelry of significant value, be sure to have it appraised, file any provenance and gemstone report in a secure place, and be sure to have it insured.
