In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
As gems go, tanzanite is a newcomer. It turned up in the 1960s in one small patch of ground near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and it still isn't mined anywhere else. Being that new, it doesn't appear in any classical text, so whatever meanings it carries come from modern crystal lore. Below is what that lore says, what makes the stone unusual, and how to wear it without damaging it.
The beliefs around it
Modern crystal lore says tanzanite is worn for calm and a clear head. Some South Asian astrologers use it as an alternative to blue sapphire, and others don't accept it at all. Treat all of this as belief, not a guaranteed effect. We don't promise results. If you are buying for astrological reasons, agree the stone, weight, metal and finger with your astrologer before anything is set. Our rashi guide lists the usual pairings.
Three colours in one stone
Tanzanite is strongly pleochroic. Look at it from different directions and you will see blue, violet, and a burgundy or bronze shade. The cutter chooses which colour faces up. Most stones are cut to show a mix of blue and violet, and getting that balance right accounts for much of their value. Turn one slowly between your fingers and you will see it change.
Heated tanzanite is the norm
Almost every tanzanite comes out of the mine with some brown in it, and gentle heating brings out the blue-violet. That is standard practice, stable, and what the trade expects. Coating is a separate thing. A thin surface coating can wear away, so always ask whether a stone has been coated.
Iolite, glass and tanzanite
Iolite changes colour with angle too, but usually goes from violet-blue to a pale grey or yellowish tone, with no burgundy flash. Blue glass looks the same colour from every side and often has round bubbles in it. If a stone is flawless, vivid and cheap, be careful.
Wear it gently
Tanzanite is 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale and has one direction of perfect cleavage. It is happiest in pendants and earrings, or in a ring with a protective setting that you take off before heavy work. Keep it away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners and from sudden heat or cold. Mild soap and water is all it needs.
What sets the price
Depth and strength of colour matter most, then clarity, cut and size. Every stone we list is priced on its own.
Before buying
Make sure the stone is natural, the treatment is in writing and the weight is for the cut stone. We check every stone ourselves and photograph each one separately. Browse tanzanite, or compare yellow sapphire and emerald. Urdu and English names are on our gem names page. We send Cash on Delivery from Karachi to Lahore and every other city.
References
