The Science of Tanzanite: What Makes Its Colors So Unique?
One of the rarest gemstones, Tanzanite is a geological wonder nestled in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Since its discovery in 1967, Tanzanite has cast a magical spell on the minds of jewelry enthusiasts with its mesmerizing blue and violet hues. Its fascinating play of colors is what gives it a unique chromatic brilliance and rarity. Let’s find more about the intriguing science behind the colorful magic of Tanzanite. The Origins of Tanzanite Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite, a calcium aluminum silicate. While zoisite occurs in several colors, Tanzanite’s vivid blue-violet and sometimes burgundy shades are unparalleled. Intense heat and pressure beneath the Earth’s surface transform zoisite crystals over millions of years. This geological marvel was first brought to light by Masai tribesmen, who discovered shimmering blue crystals in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania after a lightning strike ignited a grassland fire. The Magic of Pleochroi...