Location: Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mts, Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, Tanzania

Size: 0.97 x 0.66 x 0.51 inches

One of December’s Birthstones

Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of the mineral zoisite and belongs to the epidote mineral group. Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania, in a very small mining area.

In its rough state tanzanite is colored a reddish brown to clear, and it requires heat treatment to remove the brownish "veil" and bring out the blue violet of the stone. Since heat treatment is done to almost every piece the treatment has no effect on price, and all cut gems are assumed to be heat-treated.

Did You Know: It was not until 2002, the American Gem Trade Association chose tanzanite as a December birthstone and that the gemstone was given it’s name by Tiffany & Co.