Tanzanite - knowledge base, jewelry
Properties of tanzanite, physiological effects, zodiac signs and tanzanite jewelry.
Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of the mineral zoisite.
This colors caused by small amounts of vanadium. The name comes from Tanzania, because just in here you can finde in a very small mining area. First the Tiffany & Co. used gem- quality pieces this mineral than it’s called zoizite. Later the Tiffany renamed it tanzanite, because this name sounded much more better for the costumers. Today, gemstones marketed as tanzanite are usually blue in color, this color is enhanced by heating. The most valuable tanzanite is original blue.
Chemical and physical properties of tanzanite:
Formula:
(Ca2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)) + (Cr,Sr)
Crystal system:
orthorhombic
Category:
silicate
Color:
royal blue, indigo, violet, purple
Streak:
white or colourless
Transparency:
transparent, translucent
Cleavage:
perfect
Fracture:
uneven, conchoidal
Mohs scale hardeness:
6,5 – 7,0
Specific gravity:
3,10 – 3,38 g/cm³
Major metaphysical healing properties attributed to tanzanite:
It strengthens the nerves, has a healing effect on kidney function, relives sensory problems about head, throat and chest, improves memory and concentration.
Use of tanzanite
It’s popular in the jewelry industry to make necklaces, bracelet and earrings. Due to it’s low hardness, it is easily scratched, so it is rarely used in rings.
Occurrence of tanzanite
It’s only in Tanzania.