All about tanzanite

It is impossible to remain indifferent, looking at the tanzanite sparkling in all shades of blue and purple. This crystal bewitches, bewitches and, like the ocean, lures into the abyss of its charm. Although the stone is not precious, but only semi-precious, it is in great demand in the jewelry market. Even the cinema could not resist his charm. But first things first. First, we will tell you when and where this mineral was discovered, what types of tanzanite are. You will learn about its useful properties and how to distinguish an original from a fake.

Tanzanite was discovered relatively recently - in 1967. Before that, only representatives of the Maasai tribe, the indigenous inhabitants of the East African state of Tanzania, on whose territory it was found, knew about the stone. It was the Maasai who showed this wondrous mineral to the Portuguese explorer Manuel de Sousa. He went on an expedition to Tanzania to look for rubies, and eventually discovered a completely new stone. Although I did not immediately understand this.

At first, they thought that it was an ordinary glass. Then it was suggested that the stone is one of the rare varieties of sapphire, to which it is very similar in appearance.

At first, they did not attach much importance to this find. Tanzanite was actively discussed only a year later. This happened after the vice-president of the famous Tiffany jewelry house, Henry Platt, saw the stone. The beauty of the astonishing gem inspired him to create a special collection dedicated to the newly discovered crystal. And it was Platt who gave him the name - tanzanite, consonant with the name of the homeland of the blue mineral of Tanzania.

Tanzanite is officially called blue zoisite in scientific circles. As scientists have found out, this mineral is more than 500 million years old. It arose as a result of a tectonic collision of two ancient continents.

However, for a long time no one knew about it, since tanzanite of a bright blue hue is very rare in nature. Most often, brownish-yellow specimens are found, which, due to their color, merge with the grass burnt out by the scorching heat, so they remained invisible for a long time.

The stones turn blue as a result of heating when the mineral is exposed to temperatures above 500 ° C. But even after the crystal cools down, it does not lose its deep sea color. Natural tanzanite of this color is the result of centuries of exposure to the sun, lightning, fires and volcanic processes. It is valued much higher than the specimens obtained by heat treatment, and, accordingly, is more expensive.

There are also lilac and dark red tanzanites - also rare minerals, but they are not in high consumer demand. And also there are greenish and even pink varieties, and sometimes almost transparent crystals. But all the same, the color of the sea is more appreciated in the jewelry world.

Tanzanite has a so-called alexandrite effect, that is the stone changes its color tone depending on the lighting (In daylight, it is predominantly blue, and under lamps and soffits it turns red-violet). And he is also characterized by pleochroism - the crystal shimmers in various shades and facets, depending on the position in space and the viewing angle.

Tanzanite, unlike diamond, is very soft and fragile, like glass. The hardness of the blue mineral on the 10-point Mohs scale is only 6.5 -7. Therefore, not all cutters decide to work with it - the slightest careless movement can lead to the fact that the stone will split into small pieces. But those who undertake the processing of a rare mineral create real masterpieces of jewelry art.

There is only one place in the world where blue zoisite is mined - the Merelani plateau, which is located on the slope of the Kilimanjaro volcano in Tanzania. The total area of ​​the deposit is only 5 km. It is divided into 4 zones: A, B, C and D. Tanzanite is mined by companies from England, South Africa and Tanzania, with the latter owning more than 60% of all mined minerals.

Other deposits of this rare stone have not yet been discovered, perhaps they are nowhere else on the planet. Therefore, the cost of tanzanite is very high. And taking into account the fact that in 15 years the only deposit to date will be exhausted, the price and value of the exotic mineral will further increase over time.

Tanzanite is not only divinely beautiful, but also useful - it helps in solving life's difficulties and health problems.

This unusual stone is credited with valuable magical properties.

• He maintains harmony and understanding in family relationships., helps to resolve emerging conflicts between spouses. However, the stone also "punishes" the traitor.In case of betrayal of one of the spouses, troubles will haunt him, as retribution for insincerity and meanness. But if everything is good in marriage, then tanzanite will, on the contrary, protect and strengthen the family union.

• For lonely girls who dream of meeting their "prince", he helps to fulfill this desire. The attention from the opposite sex to the bearer of the blue stone is growing, which means that the chances of finding your soul mate are significantly increased.

• If there are financial problems in your life now, tanzanite will help solve them. This stone attracts wealth and prosperity to life. And he also favors those who seek to reach new career heights. Just do not just sit and admire the stone all day, hoping that everything will work out by itself. Tanzanite loves active, determined and motivated people. And this is how he sends good luck, favorable circumstances and well-deserved success.

• If you can’t find your purpose in life, you don’t know what kind of activity to choose, then tanzanite will help you self-determine and find application for your talents. If you have already decided what you want to do, then the stone will attract opportunities, the necessary circumstances and people into your life, and will help to realize your desires. Tanzanite is especially favored by creative people, giving inspiration, developing imagination and abilities.

• Tanzanite is considered a mystical stone, therefore it is often worn by psychics as an amulet. It helps to better develop supernatural magical abilities in those who actually possess them. But for people who are far from extrasensory perception, it will be useful, as it contributes to the development of intuition. And sometimes it is worth listening to this feeling even more strongly than to the voice of reason.

Tanzanite is able to alleviate the physical condition of certain diseases and even cure them.

1. African crystal may well replace the headache pill or enhance its effect. The iridescent blue-violet stone relieves excessive stress, relieves migraine attacks and prevents the appearance of a new one.
2. Contemplation of tanzanite has a beneficial effect on vision. Admiring the blue mineral is useful for those who work at the computer for a long time - this is a wonderful rest for the eyes in every sense. But tanzanite can also improve visual acuity: a person who sees a blue crystal every day begins to see better.
3. Tanzanite bracelet relieves back and joint pain. Only you need to wear it constantly.
4. Tanzanite strengthens the body's defenses, helping it fight various colds and viral diseases. It reduces the symptoms of SARS and promotes a speedy recovery.
5. Acne and blackheads on the face, especially in adolescents, can be a source of serious anxiety and psychological complexes. Blue mineral will help clear the face of hated inflammations. To do this, it is recommended that you wash your face every morning with water, in which the stone has been for some time. Wearing a tanzanite pendant will also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
6. If you can still argue with the previous points, then the effectiveness of tanzanite as a sedative, albeit very expensive, has been proven and confirmed by many people. Contemplation of the stone relaxes the body and mind, calms the nervous system, relieves anxiety, making a person more balanced, allows him to react to difficult stressful situations more adequately, without panic and unnecessary emotions. Tanzanite also helps with insomnia and depression.

First of all, the mineral of the color of the ocean is suitable for watermarks (Pisces, Cancers and Aquarius). He is their talisman, patronizes them and helps in different life situations.

Tanzanite is also recommended to be worn by people who are unrestrained, those who find it difficult to control their emotions, who often throw them out on others.These are, as a rule, signs of the fire element: Leo, Sagittarius and especially Aries are the hottest and most temperamental of them. The blue crystal will make its owner more balanced and less affected by momentary feelings and impulses.

As for the rest of the representatives of the zodiacal constellation, they can also wear jewelry with tanzanite: it enhances the positive qualities and weakens the negative ones.

Tanzanite earrings or pendant help to enhance the feminine charm, so they are recommended to be worn by girls who want to meet a loved one or simply attract the attention of the opposite sex, causing awe in men's hearts.

Such an incredibly beautiful and exclusive stone is deservedly in high demand, which means that fraudsters are tempted to forge it, which is what they are doing.

Underneath tanzanite, ordinary glass may be hidden. On top of it, a very thin layer of natural tanzanite is applied, which can deceive an inexperienced buyer and convince him that, in fact, blue zoisite is in front of him. It is very difficult to identify such a fake, especially when the stone is already inserted into the jewelry.

Tanzanite is sometimes referred to as a blue sapphire of artificial origin, but this fake is more expensive, so this method is used less often.

There are several ways to distinguish real tanzanite from its cheap "clones".

• If the stone is too unnatural in color, too bright and defiant - in front of you, most likely, a fake. The color of real tanzanite is calmer, deeper and more intense.

• Pleochroism is one of the most important characteristics of tanzanite. This item is the quickest and easiest way to check, you just have to turn the jewelry with a stone in your hands. It should sparkle with blue and purple tints, changing color depending on the position and how the light falls.

• In this way, you can only check the stone for fake at home. To do this, you need to put it in water. If the crystal retains its color, then you bought real tanzanite. And if during the immersion the stone brightened completely or some of its parts became light, then this indicates the work of fraudsters.

• If you are offered to buy a stone at a suspiciously low price, this is the first reason to think about its “fake”. Faceted natural tanzanite is expensive. Overcome the urge to save money so that you do not become that stingy who eventually pays twice. The cost of 1 carat of tanzanite varies in the market from 300 to 1000 dollars.

• The stone must be clean and transparent. This means that no foreign impurities should be present in the faceted crystal. Transparency is achieved by exposure to high temperatures during processing

To reduce the risk of buying fake tanzanite, you need to be very responsible when purchasing it. It is best to contact well-known jewelry companies that have already established themselves in the market. Or contact an experienced specialist who will check the stone for authenticity.

Almost simultaneously with the appearance of tanzanite on the catwalk in the famous Tiffany collection, his "film career" began.

The American actress Elizabeth Taylor, the famous "Cleopatra", made a tangible contribution to the popularization of this stone. She loved to wear tanzanite jewelry, because this stone, like no other, matched the violet color of her eyes, emphasizing their singularity and beauty.

But the most famous tanzanite jewelry in cinema is, of course, the pendant from James Cameron's Oscar-winning film Titanic, which was presented to the heroine Kate Winslett by her fiancé.Yes, yes, the role of the rare blue diamond "heart of the ocean" was played by none other than tanzanite!

The largest raw tanzanite was discovered in 2005. Its dimensions: 280x80x70 mm. The weight of the stone is almost 17 thousand carats or more than 3 kg. The crystal was named Mawenzi after the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro, at the foot of which it was found.

The most famous cut tanzanite in the world belongs to Michael Scott, Apple's CEO. The stone is part of the luxurious Queen Kilimanjaro tiara, surrounded by over 900 diamonds. The blue crystal weighs 242 carats.

Another large cut blue crystal weighing 122.7 carats is in the museum collection of the Smithsonian Institution in the USA.

Since tanzanite is a very fragile stone, it requires maximum respect for itself and delicate care. Here are some basic rules for handling it.

• Tanzanite is stored separately from other jewelry in individual packaging: it can be a velvet bag, but it is better to use a box or casket. The stone must not come into contact with other jewelry and hard objects, otherwise they can easily damage it and leave scratches on it.
• Tanzanite is contraindicated in high temperatures and high humidity, so before going to the sauna, you must take off your tanzanite jewelry. Too low temperatures for the crystal are also undesirable.
• It is necessary to clean the stone with a wet cloth dipped in soapy water. At the same time, soap should also be gentle - it is best to use baby soap, as it is more delicate and natural. The water should be slightly above room temperature, but never hot.
• Tanzanite must not be cleaned with aggressive chemicals or harsh sponges!

A luxurious stone like tanzanite should only be part of an evening dress. It will shine most brightly with all its facets under artificial lighting. At the same time, you should not use too bright makeup, an excess of accessories and small details in a dress is also harmful - the stone alone will cope with the task of riveting all the attention to its owner. It will look great even against the background of an ordinary black dress, bringing a unique flavor to the image.

Any woman will look gorgeous with him! It is best to use a stone in a set: wear, for example, a necklace and earrings or a ring with earrings.

Tanzanite is not suitable for everyday bows, unless you are in the form of a glamorous diva - then the stone will perfectly complement it. But it is still better for wearing during the day, so as not to look too vulgar, to use jewelry with small crystals, and it is advisable to choose one product - a ring, bracelet or earrings.

Only diamonds can be worthy neighbors of tanzanite. They will emphasize the splendor of the blue crystal, make it even more spectacular and brighter. Despite the high cost and value, diamonds in tandem with tanzanite will play a secondary role, becoming for him only a brilliant and very expensive frame.

However, if you want to wear tanzanite as an amulet, then combination with other stones can enhance certain of its magical properties. So, it is recommended to combine tanzanite with amethyst in one piece of jewelry if you want to achieve success on the love front. Good luck in business and promotion will be promoted by the close "friendship" of topaz and tanzanite.But for young girls it is best to combine tanzanite with ruby ​​- this promises success in both areas: both personal and professional.

Even the most colorful description does not convey all the dazzling beauty of tanzanite, which easily won the hearts of many people.

For the properties of the stone of the new millennium, see below.