Tanzanite Beads

Tanzanite is only found  in Tanzania Africa, and  it is estimated that within 5-10 years the mines could be depleted. Demand  for Tanzanite is growing and production is regrettably decreasing. Moreover, miners have to look more deeply every day to  discover viens of Tanzanite. Tanzanite prices  have increased considerably over the years -- even though some leveling of price  has been  noticed recently  but  are anticipated to increase as time goes by.

  Tanzanite was first discovered by Manuel D'Souza who was a tailor by trade. He noticed a sparkly blue crystal lying on the ground near his home. The German Society for Precious Stones in Ida-Oberstein performed the initial testing on the stone and discovered the chemical signature for Zoisite.

Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite (Ca2(Al.OH)Al2(SiO4)3) discovered in the Meralani Hills of northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha. It is a popular and valuable gemstone when cut, although its durability is somewhat lacking; its tendency to break precludes appropriate use as a ring stone. Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet, and sage-green depending on crystal orientation. However, most tanzanite is subjected to artificial heat treatment to improve its colour: this significantly subdues its trichroism.  Tanzanite is a natural gemstone whose color is enhanced during cutting by a process called "heat treating".  When found in nature,  Tanzanite crystals are usually a reddish-brown color.  The gemstone crystals are heated in order to bring out the rich blue,  purple and violet colors we love. The color change is permanent. 

Tanzanite is a deep blue color, ranging from ultramarine to violet-blue. And yet, tanzanite can  Tanzanite change colors  based on the angle from which it is viewed, shifting from blue to green to violet -- a property known as trichroism. A true blue stone will often be more expensive than a stone with a muddled color, because it is rarer.  Tanzanite is a relatively soft stone and should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath or with acid. In order to improve the strength of a stone, it may need to be  cleared  or cleansed.  Tanzanite is very soft. It is very impressionable to marks made by scratches. It usually falls under 6.5 in the hardness scale. Tanzanite is similar to quartz which means diamonds can definitely scratch or damage this gem. The stone is soft and fragile, so it can break if one is not cautious.  Tanzanite is ultrasound sensitive. It has low resistance to sound waves, hence, sonic cleaning may cause permanent damage to the gem. Avoid cleaning it with what the usual jewelers use to clean their jewelries.  Tanzanite is a relatively hard gemstone, but it is not equally durable. Tanzanite may chip or break if exposed to moderate blows or sudden changes in temperature. It is best suited for wear in earrings and pendants. When mounted in a ring or bracelet, special attention should be paid to ensure the stone is well-protected. Tanzanite should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam machine. Tanzanite can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and warm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning.

Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet, and sage-green depending on crystal orientation. However, most tanzanite is subjected to artificialheat treatment to improve its colour: this significantly subdues its trichroism.  Tanzanite is a rare mineral only found in the Mererani or Merelani hills tanzanite mining area of Tanzania. Located in the Simanjiro district, the Merelani mining area is 16 kilometers south of the Kilimanjaro International Airport, and 70km south-east of Arusha, at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Tanzanite  can sometimes be mistaken for blue sapphire, but tanzanite can have very pronounced pleochroism, which reflects different colors from different angles. "Pleochroism" is an optical phenomenon due to the double refraction of light which is divided into two "polarized" paths at a 90 degree angle to each other. When viewed from the top or front, tanzanite's hue will appear blue to violet-blue, and when viewed from the back it will appear violet to bluish-purple.  Tanzanite is a rare mineral only found in the Mererani or Merelani hills tanzanite mining area of Tanzania. Located in the Simanjiro district, the Merelani mining area is 16 kilometers south of the Kilimanjaro International Airport, and 70km south-east of Arusha, at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Tanzanite owes much of its beauty to an unusual gemological property called pleochroism, the ability to exhibit more than one color.  When viewed from different directions, tanzanite can look blue, violet, purple, bronze or gray. Before a tanzanite is faceted, the gemstone cutter studies the crystal and decides which directional orientation will show the best color. Most cutters will try to produce a pure blue tanzanite, but cutting to achieve a blue color sacrifices a lot of weight and results in a smaller and more costly finished gem. Yet the blue of a well-cut tanzanite is so breathtaking that most agree the sacrifice is well worth it. Tanzanite shows its strongest colors in sizes of 4 to 5 carats and larger. Smaller tanzanites are usually soft blue, light violet or lilac purple.  Tanzanite is a comparatively tough gemstone, but it is not evenly hard-wearing. Tanzanite can chip away or snap off if exposed to moderate blows or sudden alterations in temperature. It is therefore best suited for use in earrings and pendants. When mounted in a ring or bangle, special care ought to be paid to assure the gem is well-protected. Tanzanite should never be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam clean machine. Tanzanite can be cleaned with virtually any commercial jewelry cleaner or normal household soap and warm water using a gentle brush. Make certain to rinse off and dry thoroughly afterwards.