Skip to Main Content
  • Christmas Delivery cut off for in-stock gifts is Dec 20th. Due to high volume, Call for availability before placing orders. Instore Pick-up available Dec. 20 - 24. View Hours & Learn More
  • Seasonal Hours Learn More

TANZANITE Education

TANZANITE FEATURED GEM

tanzanite

Lush blue velvet. Rich royal purple. Exotic tanzanite is found in only one place on earth, near majestic Kilimanjaro.

Named for Tanzania, the country where it was discovered in 1967, tanzanite is the blue-to-violet or purple variety of the mineral zoisite. It's become one of the most popular of colored gemstones.

BIRTHSTONE: DECEMBER
overview
Found in just one place on earth, tanzanite is a relatively recent discovery. This blue variety of zoisite was named for Tanzania, the country where it was found, by Tiffany & Co. Because crystals show different colors depending on viewing direction, cutters can choose bluish purple or the more favored pure blue or violetish blue hue depending on how much weight they want to retain from the rough.
 
Tanzanite Earring
Tanzanite Ring
MERELANI

Tanzanite has only one source: the hills of Merelani in northern Tanzania.

1967

Masai tribesman Ali Juuyawatu is credited with finding the first tanzanite crystal.

PLEOCHROIC

Tilt tanzanite and you’ll see three distinct colors in three crystal directions.

QUALITY FACTORS 
Assessment of the following characteristics determines tanzanite's value.
color
Color Gemstone

A deep saturated blue is the most valuable color of tanzanite. Paler tones are more affordable.

clarity
Clarity Gemstone

Eye-visible inclusions decrease the value of tanzanite, particularly in lighter colored stones.

cut
Cut Gemstone

Tanzanite is available in a wide range of shapes but cushion and oval cuts are most common.

carat weight
Carat Weight Gemstone

Tanzanite color is less saturated in smaller sizes. Gems must be above five carats in size to have fine color.

Use this space to save the products you like. To add a product here, simply click the icon.

©2024 Alter's Gem Jewelry, All Rights Reserved
Alter's Gem Jewelry Close

We value your privacy

On our website, we use services (including from third-party providers) that help us to improve our online presence. The following categories of cookies are used by us and can be managed in the cookie settings. We need your consent before being able to use these services. Alternatively, you may click to refuse to consent, or access more detailed information and change your preferences before consenting. Your preferences will apply to this website only. You can change your preferences at any time by clearing your browser history/cache or visiting our privacy policy page.

By authorizing third-party services, you allow the placement and the reading of cookies and the use of tracking technologies required to keep our website reliable and secure.

These cookies are required to run available services and to provide basic shopping functions. These cookies are exempt from consent according to the exceptions provided by the Article 82 of Data Protection Act.
These cookies provide a custom experience on our website.
These cookies allow us to measure visitors' traffic. They help allow us to understand which products and actions are more popular than others.

Review and set your consent preferences for each partner below. Some personal data is processed without your consent, but you have the right to object.

Rolex (Adobe Analytics and Content Square)

Privacy policy: https://www.rolex.com/legal-notices/cookies.html
Purposes (consent)
Legitimate interest Purpose(S)

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.