Tanzanite, one of the rarest and most striking gemstones in the world, has managed to steal the hearts of jewelry lovers and gem collectors alike.

From the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the only place on the planet where it has been spotted, this unique gem impresses with its stunning blue-purple hue, which changes under different angles of light.

Its rarity, combined with its ever-increasing demand, makes it one of the most sought-after jewels of the moment.

Tiffany & Co, one of the world’s most iconic jewellery companies, has taken tanzanite almost under its…wing, changed its name to make it better “pass” in the global market and is already launching it as the ideal gemstone to give as a gift to persons having a birthday in the month of December or to couples celebrating their silver wedding anniversary.

Tanzanite, though not yet widely known, has been “pushed” just enough to take its own place in the gemstone market.

A rare and valuable mineral

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 on the outskirts of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Arusha province of Tanzania. It has become particularly well known for its striking blue-purple colour, which is the result of its chemical composition and unique structure. Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zircon and belongs to the pyroxene class, and its intense colour variation is due to the presence of vanadium and chromium ions.

It is a relatively hard mineral, with a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it suitable for jewelry and other decorative uses. Its rarity and limited extraction in only one region of the world make it one of the most sought-after and expensive gemstones. Although usually found in blue or blue-purple hues, its exact hue may vary depending on the type of processing.