Tanzanite has been named the new December birthstone!
Recently, the "powers-that-be" in the gemstone/jewelry
industry have announced that tanzanite will now, and from now-on,
be regarded as the birthstone for December .
Over the years, the designated birthstone for December has
been changed several times. It USED to be turquoise, then it was
blue zircon, then we were told it was blue topaz, and
NOW, it is TANZANITE. Well, of COURSE! Tanzanite
is EXPENSIVE, and the "powers that be" want you to BUY it!
It's hardness is only 6.5, on the Moh's scale of hardness. If you
consider that diamonds' hardness is 10, and opal's hardness
is 5.5-6.5, depending on the stone, tanzanite is not a very
hard gemstone. That notwithstanding, there is no question
that tanzanite is one beautiful gemstone.
Tanzanite gets its name from Tanzania, Africa, where it was first
mined in 1967. Actually, it is blue zoisite. Top quality gemstones
of tanzanite exhibit a deep blue/purple color, and are clear and
bright. Pale tanzanites could almost be mistaken for amethyst,
but tanzanite always has a bluish tinge to it. It is our understanding,
that ALL tanzanite is heat-treated, to eliminate the brown or
yellowish overtones it has, that it naturally has. Once treated, it is
one of the most exquisite gemstones known to man.
Because tanzanite is not considered a "gemstone of antiquity", even though it has been underground a LONG time, there is not much
trivia items associated with it.
The bluish hue in tanzanite gemstones is attributed to the presence of vanadium. Tanzanite is pleochristic, and shows different overtones of slate gray, purple or blue.The supply of tanzanite appears to be severely limited to East Africa, in one region.
If you happen to be a traditionalist, then turquoise, blue zircon,
or blue topaz should be the December birthstone of your choice.
No matter which gem you choose, all of them make exquisite jewelry,
and for those of you born in the month of December - you have
more choices than the rest of us!
The chemical composition of tanzanite is Ca2Al3Si3O12OH.