Jewelry Guide - Gemstones
Tanzanite
-
Mohs hardness rating: 6-7
- Found in Tanzania.
This extremely rare purple gemstone is found only in East Africa. Its official name
is Zoisite, after a major collector Zois.
The first major source of this dreamily translucent blue-violet gemstone was discovered
in 1967 in Tanzania. Tiffany & Co. gave Zoisite its trade name, "Tanzanite,"
in 1969.
Modern lore holds that the wearer of Tanzanite is protected from overstressed mental
and emotional states, helping one to focus and organize difficult tasks better.
It is said to elevate the wearer’s mood and to promote a clear, well-balanced
outlook on life.