Vanishing tanzanite stone - the best investment

The color of tanzanite ranges from sapphire blue to deep purple. Existing yellowish-brownish specimens are not popular in the jewelry industry.

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In addition, the stone has an alexandrite effect and changes color depending on the lighting and even viewing angle.

Who found tanzanite

It is said that tanzanite was discovered by the Maasai Ndugu Juman Ngoma in the spring of 1966 in Tanzania, on the slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, Merelani Plateau, in an area called Kiteto. No, the Masai’s name was Ali Juyawati, others say. One way or another, it was a man from the Maasai tribe. The glorious warrior Ndugu Ngoma (or Ali Juyawati) brought a pebble to a merchant and jeweler - in case he bought it. I didn’t buy it, I decided it was a piece of painted glass.

Around the same time, adventurer and prospector Manuel De Souza was looking for rubies. He also encountered transparent bluish-purple stones, which he mistook for sapphires. Well, he can be forgiven, the prospector is not a gemologist.

True, the color of the stone seemed to him pale for sapphires. However, the prospector had business acumen, and he took the pebble to the laboratory. They authoritatively stated that this is a type of zoisite. Moreover, until then an unknown variety.

The little man made a fuss and straightened out the documents for the four sites where he would be digging officially. For a short time he was the monopoly miner of tanzanite; after him, a former Greek military man wanted to mine a hitherto unknown stone...

Mining has begun.

Tiffany rules

As expected, after the small miner-prospectors, the sharks of the jewelry market entered the business. The first was .

She competently marketed the new gem:

• the gem was offered as a replacement for more expensive sapphires;
• the tanzanite market was sensitively regulated - demand should be higher than supply;
• Elizabeth Taylor became the face of the promoted stone; her stunning necklace with tanzanites and diamonds made the perfect advertisement for the new gem.

As a result, at the end of the last century, prices for tanzanite became equal to prices for sapphires.

Informative: the stone received its name from the top manager of the company G. Plata. The gem was named after the country in which the stone was found - Tanzania.

Product care

Some care recommendations will help preserve the original appearance of your expensive jewelry:

• jewelry should be stored in separate boxes, having previously placed each one in a bag made of velvet fabric;
• It is prohibited for the stone to come into contact with sharp objects;
• The mineral should be cleaned only when absolutely necessary, using warm water and mild detergents;
• It is undesirable to expose the gem to toxic chemicals, steam, or ultrasonic waves.

A little thrift will preserve the unsurpassed beauty of tanzanite.

Physics-chemistry of the new star mineralogy

Tanzanite is a silicate of aluminum and calcium. Chemical formula Ca2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH).

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Physical characteristics of tanzanite stone:

1. The color ranges from blue to violet, with yellow-brown crystals occurring.
2. BG variance 0.03; CF variance 0.011.
3. Fluorescence is weak, red, gray.
4. Mohs hardness 6.5-7.
5. The cleavage is perfect.
6. The crystals are transparent.
7. Light refraction 1.69-1.7.
8. Pleochroism: purple, brown, yellow, blue.

The blue and violet color of tanzanite is given by impurities of vanadium and chromium.

Sometimes gems have a cat's eye effect and an alexandrite effect.

All these properties of the stone now delight jewelry lovers.

Compatibility with other minerals

Tanzanite is a naturally beautiful, bright gem that does not need the proximity of other minerals. The stone is self-sufficient, so other gems spoil it, diverting attention to themselves. The only successful combination is tanzanite with diamonds, which will emphasize the meaning and luxury of the mineral.

Also read: Moissanite - attracts good luck

From the point of view of a magical tandem, a combination of tanzanite with citrine or amethyst is acceptable - this will help in the search for love.

Any career heights can be achieved by a person who combines the mineral with topaz. For girls, purple tanzanite will be a successful match. With the help of this couple, the young lady will achieve success in love and career.

Where was tanzanite born?

So far, there is only one known deposit of the gem on the planet. The mineral occurs in veins of gneiss rocks in Tanzania, near Arusha (a city in the north of the country).

This place is unique. Almost 600 million years ago, the split of Gondwana began here, and the Great African Rift began to form. The geological conditions here are unique. Scientists have concluded that such conditions no longer exist on the planet. Therefore, the chances of finding new deposits of vanishing tanzanite are small.

Informative: experts believe that the reserves of tanzanite in the deposit will last no more than 10-15 years - at the current rate of production. If new reserves of the gem are not discovered, crystal prices could skyrocket.

There is only one deposit of tanzanite, and the reserves of the gem in it are decreasing every day. This makes the gem the rarest mineral. Prices for stones are rising steadily. Therefore, purchasing a product with tanzanite can be considered as a good investment. True, the stones must be large (at least 10 carats), or collectible samples. Purity and quality must be very high.

Color variety of the mineral

Tanzanites mined from the depths of the earth most often have a brown or brown tint. To give a deep blue color, stones can be heat treated. Minerals that are found on the surface are already endowed with an unusual blue-violet color, as they were exposed to natural temperatures.

All mined specimens are divided into two types. In some, blue predominates, in others, purple. The relationship to one or another species determines the amount of chromium and vanadium in the chemical composition of the mineral.

Nature also presents small samples of pink and lavender shades, and sometimes completely transparent. There are large green crystals. Often there is a combination of several colors in one nugget.

The magic of a new mineral

The magical properties of tanzanite have been little studied.

• Some esotericists believe that it was not by chance that the stone was found at the transition from one era to another, at the turn of the millennium. The era of Pisces gave way to the era of Aquarius, and the stone, so unexpectedly found, will be a symbol of this change of eras and a spiritual guide for humanity.
• Therefore, the gem will be useful to those who are engaged in esotericism and spiritual practices.
• Earrings with tanzanite in silver will help a lonely woman find her soulmate.
• Astromineralogists decided that the stone is important for those who are prone to laziness. He will force them to work, help them implement their plans and projects.

It’s curious: some esotericists believe that the stone will bring prosperity to the family only to faithful spouses. For those who like to “go left,” the pebble will provide constant troubles in life, which will breed like rabbits in the spring.

Vanishing tanzanite stone - the best investment

Tanzanite is a unique stone in every way.

Becoming the owner of even a small tanzanite is already an incredible success. Many experts believe that this stone, and not sapphires and rubies, is the best investment.

In my article I will tell you what is unique about this stone.

1. Perhaps the most surprising thing about tanzanite is its rarity. Diamonds are considered the rarest stones, but tanzanites are 1000 times rarer than diamonds, which are mined on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

The fact is that so far only one, relatively small deposit of tanzanite is known - on the Merelani plateau, near Kilimanjaro. One single section, a small strip 5-6 kilometers long

2. The number of stones is steadily falling. Experts believe that in another 20-25 years the vein will be completely depleted. They speak with caution about the prospects of finding more tanzanite deposits. Most likely, such a unique combination of conditions may simply never happen again.

3. While many precious stones have been known to people for thousands of years, the history of tanzanite is barely half a century old. It was discovered in 1967 by prospector Manuel de Souza, who was looking for rubies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. At first the stone did not arouse any interest.

Perhaps tanzanite would have remained unknown if it had not caught the eye of Henry Plath, Tiffany's vice president. He was simply fascinated by this blue-violet stone. It is Tiffany who should be thanked for the “promotion” of this stone. The company's specialists spent a lot of time and effort to stir up interest in tanzanite. For example, a necklace with five large tanzanites was created especially for Elizabeth Taylor. The efforts were not in vain, and soon all bohemia wanted to have at least a small tanzanite stone. Accordingly, prices for this mineral have skyrocketed.

4. The most unique thing about tanzanite is its color. In general, in the jewelry world there are few precious stones that have a beautiful blue color, and in tanzanite it also has a complex shade that combines rich blue, lilac, violet and purple shades.

Triple coloring is a unique phenomenon in itself, but some crystals also exhibit an alexandrite effect: in daylight the stones are blue, and in artificial light they are violet. Tanzanites with a cat's eye effect are also found.

5. Deeply colored stones are most valued, but not all tanzanite mined has the desired blue-violet hue.

The color of the majority (about 95% ) of mined tanzanites is an unattractive yellow-brown. But they are successfully refined: a short heat treatment leads to a decrease in undesirable shades in the color of the stone and the appearance of beautiful shades of blue and purple in the stone. The secret of this color is simple: stones that have been lying under the scorching sun of Africa for some time are naturally dark blue in color, but those extracted from the depths of the earth require human intervention.

There are also paler tanzanites: pale blue, pinkish, lilac, sometimes almost translucent. And although they are much cheaper than brighter and more saturated stones, it is still tanzanite, which means it is a rare and valuable stone.

6. Since the discovery of tanzanite, its price has only grown, not counting a short period of time after the 2008 crisis, but now they continue to gain value. And of course, natural blue and violet-blue stones are more expensive than those that have undergone heat treatment.

At auctions, the starting price of the stone starts at $120 per carat (1 carat - 0.2 grams). There is no upper limit. Wealthy collectors who want to purchase it can pay very high prices. However, the final price is determined taking into account many factors, from size to sample shade.

Prices can be viewed in the table.

Weight in carats Low and medium quality stones in dollars Average and high quality in dollars

7. And, most importantly, tanzanite, with its unique optical effects, has not yet been learned to be grown artificially. Of course, there are fakes, but most of them are so clumsy that it is not difficult to recognize the deception. Thus, the unique triple stone is highly likely to be tanzanite

8. Medicinal properties of tanzanite . Traditional healers advise looking at this stone to relieve eye strain and get rid of headaches. Also, tanzanite can relieve the owner from colds and runny nose.

Some experts claim that if this stone is worn for a long time, it can cure any skin disease, including teenage acne, and also relieve back pain.

9. The magical properties of tanzanite. It is believed that tanzanite was found for a reason almost at the turn of the century and during the transition from one era to another. He acts as a spiritual guide. If you constantly wear jewelry with tanzanite, it helps to activate the hidden abilities of the body, allows you to understand the meaning of life and answer questions that have long worried all of humanity.

Also, there is an opinion that this stone can bring comfort and mutual understanding to the family.

10. Who is tanzanite suitable for? Tanzanite is suitable for a woman who wants to attract as much attention as possible from the opposite sex. Another category of people for whom this beautiful stone is intended are entrepreneurs and everyone who wants to improve their financial situation.

Astrologers have not yet given preference to any zodiac sign in wearing tanzanite. Therefore, anyone who owns jewelry with it will be happy and prosperous, since the stone will “take care” of this.

INTERESTING FACTS:

The most famous example of tanzanite “took” part in the filming of the 1997 film Titanic (J. Cameron) under the guise of the Heart of the Ocean diamond.

The most famous cut tanzanite in the world belongs to Michael Scott, the first CEO of Apple. The stone is part of the luxurious Queen of Kilimanjaro tiara, surrounded by over 900 diamonds. The weight of the blue crystal is 242 carats.

Astrologers think...

Astrologers have not come to a single conclusion - which zodiac sign is suitable for a “newbie” in the jewelry world.

Therefore, until experts come to a common conclusion, we will assume that according to the horoscope, tanzanite is suitable for everyone without exception.

Earrings with tanzanite

The future will show who he will help and who he will hinder. And the stars will tell astrologers which of them patronizes tanzanite.

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Already, many astromineralogists believe that the planet-ruler of the gem is Saturn.

Many (but not all) believe that precious crystals are well suited for the signs of Water - Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio.

How to distinguish natural stone from fake?

No one has yet succeeded in making artificial tanzanite with the properties of natural stone. However, there are plenty of synthetic fakes, so it’s worth knowing a few tips that will help you avoid falling for scammers:

• Testing for pleochroism. The natural mineral changes hue at different viewing angles, in daylight or lamp lighting. Linden stones made from forsterite glow when exposed to ultraviolet rays. This glow is not characteristic of natural tanzanite.
• Colors. Poisonously bright, unnatural shades are a sign of a fake.
• Exposure to water. Immerse the jewelry in water - natural tanzanite will become lighter at the edges, but the fake tanzanite will not change color.
• Price. Real mineral is expensive. The only thing you can find cheaply is glass.
• Purity of shade. In jewelry, pure crystals are used that are free of any impurities through heat treatment.

Also read: Eudialyte - a mysterious charm from the bowels of the earth

The height of the art of fraud allows you to deceive the buyer by coating ordinary glass with a thin layer of tanzanite. In this case, it is impossible for an ordinary person to distinguish a fake, since formally the analogue has all the signs of a natural mineral. Therefore, it is better to make such an expensive purchase in a trusted place.

Ennoblement and fakes

Natural tanzanite often has a yellow, brown, or golden color. Such stones are usually annealed. This gives the gem a blue-violet, lilac color. But stones in blue tones often have yellowish or brownish tints. They are also easily eliminated by heating the gem.

It is extremely difficult to distinguish between natural and annealed stones.

Stones of pure blue, purple, and amethyst colors make up no more than 5% of all production. The rest have colors that are not in demand among jewelers.

Important: According to the regulations of the International Jewelry Confederation, artificial changes in the color of tanzanite crystals may not be mentioned in the specification.

So a heat-treated gem is considered natural.

But the artificial stone is definitely a fake. If you see a “tanzanite bracelet” on sale for a thousand rubles, rest assured that the stone is synthetic.

Until recently, the only fakes were grown, synthetic crystals. But science is moving forward, nanotechnology is beginning to be used.

Tanzanite-sitall

We’ll tell you what to do for those who don’t have the opportunity to shell out large sums of money for a wonderful stone, but want to wear such jewelry. Sitall will come to the rescue.

Gold ring with sital

This is a glass-ceramic mass; the most advanced technologies are used in its production. It is based on a process of controlled polycrystallization.

We do not go into technological details. But glass ceramic, which jewelers call “nanosynthetics,” is simply a godsend for simulating precious stones. And the cost of tanzanite sitall is only $5 per carat.

Informative: the name was given to glass-ceramic by the Soviet physical chemist I. Kitaygorodsky.

The synthetic crystal not only looks like natural tanzanite. It also has all the properties of the original - hardness, shine, purity, color and even pleochroism.

Therefore, those who are not interested in the magical and healing properties of natural tanzanites (not very well researched) can wear glass ceramics. Believe me, it is impossible to distinguish a ring with tanzanite from a ring with sital without special instruments.

Pleasant: tanzanite sital is suitable for any zodiac sign.

Healing properties

Tanzanite is endowed with more than just natural beauty. The nugget has remarkable medicinal properties in its arsenal:

• Effect on visual acuity. Contemplating tanzanite will help improve your vision. The mineral is recommended to be used to relieve eye strain during long periods of work at the monitor or any activity that leads to eye fatigue.
• Headache. When contemplating the stone, the nervous system relaxes, which helps overcome migraine attacks.
• Prevention of colds. Traditional healers claim that owners of the mineral are less susceptible to flu or colds than others, since regularly wearing the gem strengthens the human immune system.
• Pain in the spine. Tanzanite will become an assistant for people engaged in sedentary work - the mineral will relieve them of pain in any of the spinal regions.
• Skin diseases. With skin-to-skin contact, the gem relieves the owner of any skin diseases, including teenage rashes and acne.

Also read: Lapis lazuli is a symbol of heaven, power and justice

It should be noted that only natural minerals are endowed with healing powers. The fake will only be a decoration for the owner.

Stars in tanzanite

There is a version: the central gem-pendant “Heart of the Ocean” in the necklace that we admired in the movie “Titanic” is not a blue diamond, but a tanzanite. James Cameron rejected sapphire and diamond - the directors thought the first was too dull, the second too dark.

• Kate Winslet wears luxurious tanzanite in the film. The weight of the stone is 50 carats, and the prototype of the jewelry is the Hope Diamond.
• The film "Titanic" won the hearts of viewers. The magnificent necklace, they say, played an important role in the film.

  
  Necklace Heart of the Ocean

• After the film, the famous American jeweler Harry Winston decided to create a copy of the necklace, but with blue diamonds. The price of the decoration is 20 million dollars.
• The Academy Awards took place in 1998. The award was received by the song from Titanic “My heart will go on” (My heart will continue to beat). The single collected four Grammys and a battalion of Oscars. And Celine Dion received a necklace from her husband as a gift.
• 2011, Oscars. A world-class party where all lovers of social life dream of shining. A sea of ​​stars, jewelry, outfits from the world's leading fashion designers. Anne Hathaway, who hosted the ceremony, paired her Armani dress with charming earrings with blue tanzanite.
• Petra Nemcova, a top model from the Czech Republic, has a weakness for jewelry with tanzanite.

"Queen of Kilimanjaro"

Michael Scott doesn't seem to be a star. A business man, the first executive director of Apple Computers. But he has a tastefully selected collection of jewelry.

Queen of Kilimanjaro

The star of this collection is the tiara, which features:

• 913 diamonds;
• 803 green tsavorite;
• one tanzanite.

So he is the star of the tiara. The stone weighs 242 carats.

The general public does not know who has the right to wear this treasure. And you can see her. In the Gallery of Gold and Gems, Toronto, Royal Museum. Anyone who visits Canada can admire the tiara. I wonder which star would suit the tiara...

How to wear it correctly?

Tanzanite jewelry is worn extremely rarely and is worn very carefully. Products with minerals are always luxurious, so the outfit, as well as the event, must be appropriate.

Elite jewelry will not suit casual or sports clothing. The stone looks best with a glamorous or romantic look. If classic style prevails in everyday clothes, then modest earrings with a mineral will perfectly complement the look.

An important aspect is the selection of shoes and other accessories. Tanzanite does not like unnecessary proximity, since any flashy item or decoration will overshadow the luxury of the gem. In shoes, it is better to give preference to high heels.

The mineral will adorn a woman of any appearance, regardless of hair or eye color. However, tanzanite is more suitable for those with gray and blue eyes.

When choosing makeup, you should also adhere to minimalism. Light, everyday make-up is most appropriate. If you are going to a party, smoky ice is a good solution. It is better to put off bright lipstick and replace it with lip gloss.

Variegated mix

Geologists are confident that the tanzanite deposit will be exhausted within 20-30 years.

A study by the Tanzanite Foundation showed that it is primarily in jewelry stores that most potential buyers learn about tanzanite, with TV stores in second place.

Paula Crevoshay (jewelry designer) is delighted with the gem and its “velvet” structure. Her tanzanite collection is called “True Blue”.

A survey was conducted in the United States that showed: only a little more than half of consumers know that tanzanite is mined only in Tanzania; this is a very rare stone.

In nature, blue zoisite is found a thousand times less frequently than diamond.

Place of Birth

It is the only one in the whole wide world. This is Africa, the country of Tanzania (northeast of the country). More precisely, the Arusha region.

Tanzania

The Merelani tanzanite mines (Merelani Gemm deposit) are 2 km wide and 50 km long. They are located in the Merelani Hills, on the slopes of the Lelatema Mountains approximately 70 km from the city of Arusha.

There are quite large crystals - up to 50 carats.