TANZANITE, the gemstone variety of zoisite

VARIETY INFORMATION:

VARIETY OF: Zoisite, Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH), Calcium Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide.
USES: Gemstone
COLOR: various shades of blue to lavender, deeper along the crystal axis.
INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.68 - 1.72
BIREFRINGENCE: is good
HARDNESS: 6.5-7
CLEAVAGE: perfect in one direction
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: orthorhombic
For natural tanzanite mineral specimens see our For Sale or Sold lists
For Tanzanite Jewelry, see --> TANZANITE JEWELRY

Tanzanite is relatively new on the gemstone market, but has left its mark. Its blue-lavender color is rather unique and a wonderful addition to the gemstone palette. Found in Tanzania (hence the name) in 1967, it has since become a well known and widely distributed gemstone. It has become so popular that in October of 2002 the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced that tanzanite had joined zircon and turquoise in the traditional list of birthstones for the month of December.

It has better fire than the tourmaline elbaite or peridot and an adequate hardness. Its only one direction of cleavage is somewhat of a problem because it is oriented with the direction of strongest pleochroism. This would be a problem in most gemstones because that is the direction the gemcutter would usually select to maximize the color. However, with tanzanite the color is usually strong enough anyway.

Pleochroism is very pronounced in tanzanite and is seen as three different color shades in the same stone. In the viewing of a tanzanite stone from different angles, the colors dark-blue, green-yellow and red-purple can all be seen as a result of the pleochroism. Lesser stones may have a brownish color due to the mixing of blue, purple and green. These stones are usually heat treated to a deep blue color. Iolite is a blue-violet gemstone variety of the mineral cordierite, has strong pleochroism and can be confused with tanzanite. However, iolite is usually less strongly colored, its pleochroic colors vary from blue-violet to yellowish gray to blue and it has less fire.

Nearly all tanzanite has been heat treated to generate the beautiful violet-blue color this stone is known for. When first mined, most stones are a muted green color. The only known source of Tanzanite is a five square mile hilltop at Merelani, ten miles south of the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

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Tanzanite Jewelry - Hover over an item for more information

Emerald Cut Tanzanite Silver Bracelet
Metal:ÿSilver .925Size / Style:ÿ7.5"Metal Finish:ÿRhodium / PolishedStone/s:ÿTanzanite + CZBrand:ÿSilver Best Buy Co.ÿThis item usually arrives in 2-3 business days. Arrival date depends on the item selected.Shipping via FedEx Express Worldwide.ÿOnly $569.40 at

Emerald Cut Tanzanite Silver Bracelet
$569.40
Silver Best Buy

Modern Flower Ring Round Tanzanite Sterling Silver Ring with Green Tourmaline & Peridot
Six, sparkling petals surround a seventh round-cut stone. The bezel setting gives a stylish, modern feel to a classic, star-shaped flower ring.Only $183.00 at

Modern Flower Ring Round Tanzanite Sterling Silver Ring with Green Tourmaline & Peridot
$183.00
Gemvara

Australian Opal Ring with Tanzanite
Metal:ÿSilver .925Size:ÿAll sizes are available. If not we resize them for free of charge.Metal Finish:ÿRhodiumStone/s:ÿAustralian Opal + Tanzanite + CZÿThis item usually arrives in 2-3 business days. Arrival date depends on the item selected.Shipping...Only $163.54 at

Australian Opal Ring with Tanzanite
$163.54
Silver Best Buy

14k Gold Plated Opal Tanzanite Silver Pendant
14k Gold Plated Opal Tanzanite Silver Pendant. Very elegant sterling silver high quality rhodium plated pendant to wear any time of the day.Metal:ÿSilver .925 + 14K Gold Plated\nDimensions:ÿ22 mm x 13 mm\nMetal Finish:ÿRhodium /...Only $244.40 at

14k Gold Plated Opal Tanzanite Silver Pendant
$244.40
Silver Best Buy

Rhone Band (2mm gem) Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite & Amethyst
Seven, 2mm round-cut gemstones gleam and flow along the channel of this sleek, modern band.Only $163.00 at

Rhone Band (2mm gem) Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite & Amethyst
$163.00
Gemvara

Opal and Tanzanite Heart Ring
Metal:ÿSilver .925Size:ÿAll sizes are available. If not we resize them for free of charge.Metal Finish:ÿRhodiumStone/s:ÿAustralian Opal + TanzaniteÿShipping Information:\nThis item usually arrives in 2-3 business days. Arrival date depends on the item...Only $129.74 at

Opal and Tanzanite Heart Ring
$129.74
Silver Best Buy

The Triumph Ring Tanzanite Ring
Round Tanzanite Three Stone Ring in 14k White GoldOnly $629.00 at

The Triumph Ring Tanzanite Ring
$629.00
Angara.com

Tanzanite Ring
Metal:ÿSilver .925Size:ÿAll sizes are available. If not we resize them for free of charge.Metal Finish:ÿRhodiumStone/s:ÿTanzanite + Simulated DiamondsÿShipping Information:\nThis item usually arrives in 2-3 business days. Arrival date depends on the...Only $154.44 at

Tanzanite Ring
$154.44
Silver Best Buy

Tanzanite Silver Ring
Simulated tanzanite sterling silver ring with approximately 1 carat gemstone made with .925 sterling silver and a rhodium finish to give it a white gold look.Metal:ÿSilver .925\nSize:ÿAll sizes are available. If not we resize them for free of...Only $170.04 at

Tanzanite Silver Ring
$170.04
Silver Best Buy

Tanzanite Heart & Diamond-Accent Earrings 10K White Gold
Fabulously feminine earrings feature heart-shaped tanzanite stones set off by sparkling diamond accents and exquisite leaf detailing in a demi hoop drop, all set in elegant 10K white gold. Metal: 10K gold Metal Color: White Stone: Tanzanite Other...Only $225.00 at

Tanzanite Heart & Diamond-Accent Earrings 10K White Gold
$225.00
jcpenney

Kira Ring Oval Iolite Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite
Polished, tailored and modern, this three-stone style has a streamlined design. This style's sleek bezel settings are especially perfect for the active woman.Only $220.00 at

Kira Ring Oval Iolite Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite
$220.00
Gemvara

Tanzanite & Diamond-Accent Heart Pendant at JCPenney
Pretty pendant features a heart-shaped tanzanite stone framed within another heart that s enhanced with diamond accents and topped by a triple-leaf bail. Metal: Sterling silver Metal Color: White Stone: Tanzanite Other stones: Diamond accents Clasp:...Only $255.00 at

Tanzanite & Diamond-Accent Heart Pendant at JCPenney
$255.00

Ross-Simons 1.10 ct. t.w. Tanzanite Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver
Imagine the possibilities with these shiny 1.10 ct. t.w. tanzanite hoop earrings, for dressy times, casual times or all the times in between! Hinged post, sterling silver earrings.Only $86.25 at

Ross-Simons 1.10 ct. t.w. Tanzanite Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver
$86.25

Sterling Silver Tanzanite Tennis Bracelet Jewelry
This Bracelet was handmade by a master artisan and is one of a kind.Only $525.74 at

Sterling Silver Tanzanite Tennis Bracelet Jewelry
$525.74
JeGem.com

Slim Band Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite & Rock Crystal
This sleek stackable band has ten gems channel set for a slim profile that makes it extremely comfortable to wear.Only $242.00 at

Slim Band Sterling Silver Ring with Tanzanite & Rock Crystal
$242.00
Gemvara

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