Tanzanite, Short Cut To Fame
You often hear that a gemstone was known centuries or even thousands of years ago. The popularity of such gems is quite easy to understand, they were worn or collected not just for their beauty but also, for metaphysical properties that were credited to them. Tanzanite, is one gem that made it's debut on the gemstone scene as late as 1967, it was unknown in the world of fashion and style before that. The gemstone is commercially sourced from a small stretch of land in Tanzania, the area lies at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Most gem experts agree on the fact that, there is much less gem quality tanzanite on the planet as compared to diamonds. Simply put, tanzanite is rarer than a diamond - with no new source of tanzanite being found ever since the first piece was mined in 1967, things are unlikely to change. Interestingly, most of the rough tanzanite that is mined makes it's way to Jaipur, the gem town in India. This is where the rough stone is heated to bring out the exotic purple-blue color, it is then cut and polished before being exported to important gem and jewelry centers across the globe. The consistently robust price points of tanzanite reflect the beauty of the stone and it's rarity.
Today tanzanite is an extremely popular gemstone, high end jewelry designers set this gorgeous gem in exquisite gold and platinum designs. Don't be surprised of you see fine tanzanite rings being worn to celebrate a wedding or an engagement. So how exactly did this Tanzanian gem become so popular in such a short time. Before we credit market hype for the consistently high demand that tanzanite has enjoyed, let us talk about the gem itself. Tanzanite rough in it's natural form is a dark greenish brown stone, not beautiful, not gorgeous and certainly not the color that we know the gemstone to flash. Once this rough is heated, some of it acquires a stunning violet-blue color, this is the gemstone as we know it. The amazing color of tanzanite is not seen in any other natural stone it, seems like a blue gem with a spicy edge. This was one color that could flirt with all metal hues and designers jumped on it with great verve and excitement. It is often said that for a gemstone to succeed, it needs to be sufficiently durable, have a good color and be quite rare. The term 'quite rare' for tanzanite is an understatement, the gem happens to be rarer than a diamond. While all experts agree that tanzanite is that rare, some feel that it is 100 times rarer than a diamond and others swear that it is at least a 1,000 times rarer! The durability factor in tanzanite is not a tough thing to handle, the right type of design and some care when wearing and cleaning the stone is all that is required.
So the gemstone has all this goodness, no doubt then that it hit the high spots in a short time span. But let's not forget the Tiffanys factor here. It is well known that Tiffanys was the place to go with any exciting gem development and tanzanite, first made it's way to the reputed jeweler. Hoping to become the sole provider of this stone which is in fact a variety of the mineral zoisite, Tiffanys echoed the name Tanzanite after the nation (Tanzania) in which the stone was mined. Millions of dollars in terms of marketing costs ensured that, tanzanite became well known at least in the higher rungs of the world of style. Tiffanys did not succeed in getting total control of the supply chain of Tanzanite but, they did manage to put this stunning gem in the mainstream of high end fashion.
Claddagh365 celebrates this stunning gemstone from Tanzania in the fine Claddagh Tanzanite Ring Collection, the jewels also showcase one of history's most meaningful jewels - the 4 centuries old Claddagh Ring. Each jewel is handcrafted in gold or 925 silver by some of the best artisans and craftsman. Backed by an intense research into the history and significance of this historic jewel, the Claddagh365 claddagh ring retains all the features and meaning of the first ring made by a humble Irish slave.
Today tanzanite is an extremely popular gemstone, high end jewelry designers set this gorgeous gem in exquisite gold and platinum designs. Don't be surprised of you see fine tanzanite rings being worn to celebrate a wedding or an engagement. So how exactly did this Tanzanian gem become so popular in such a short time. Before we credit market hype for the consistently high demand that tanzanite has enjoyed, let us talk about the gem itself. Tanzanite rough in it's natural form is a dark greenish brown stone, not beautiful, not gorgeous and certainly not the color that we know the gemstone to flash. Once this rough is heated, some of it acquires a stunning violet-blue color, this is the gemstone as we know it. The amazing color of tanzanite is not seen in any other natural stone it, seems like a blue gem with a spicy edge. This was one color that could flirt with all metal hues and designers jumped on it with great verve and excitement. It is often said that for a gemstone to succeed, it needs to be sufficiently durable, have a good color and be quite rare. The term 'quite rare' for tanzanite is an understatement, the gem happens to be rarer than a diamond. While all experts agree that tanzanite is that rare, some feel that it is 100 times rarer than a diamond and others swear that it is at least a 1,000 times rarer! The durability factor in tanzanite is not a tough thing to handle, the right type of design and some care when wearing and cleaning the stone is all that is required.
So the gemstone has all this goodness, no doubt then that it hit the high spots in a short time span. But let's not forget the Tiffanys factor here. It is well known that Tiffanys was the place to go with any exciting gem development and tanzanite, first made it's way to the reputed jeweler. Hoping to become the sole provider of this stone which is in fact a variety of the mineral zoisite, Tiffanys echoed the name Tanzanite after the nation (Tanzania) in which the stone was mined. Millions of dollars in terms of marketing costs ensured that, tanzanite became well known at least in the higher rungs of the world of style. Tiffanys did not succeed in getting total control of the supply chain of Tanzanite but, they did manage to put this stunning gem in the mainstream of high end fashion.
Claddagh365 celebrates this stunning gemstone from Tanzania in the fine Claddagh Tanzanite Ring Collection, the jewels also showcase one of history's most meaningful jewels - the 4 centuries old Claddagh Ring. Each jewel is handcrafted in gold or 925 silver by some of the best artisans and craftsman. Backed by an intense research into the history and significance of this historic jewel, the Claddagh365 claddagh ring retains all the features and meaning of the first ring made by a humble Irish slave.