| Gemstones precious or semi-precious have | | | | another feature that makes these jewelries so |
| always attracted attention of people all over the | | | | appealing is its strong trichroism. This feature |
| world. There are several kinds of gemstones | | | | allows it to change its color (known as |
| available in the market. Tanzanite is one of them. | | | | pleochroism) from sapphire blue to violet to |
| It is a blue gem with a hint of purple. It is very | | | | burgundy, depending on its crystal orientation. |
| popular, especially in the US where it has the | | | | The world's largest tanzanite is the "Queen of |
| largest amount of sales. This stone is quite | | | | Kilimanjaro", which is set in a tiara on display at |
| uncommon and yet attractive. Hence, many | | | | the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. It is a |
| people crave to possess one of these beauties as | | | | relatively soft gem which can be easily be set in |
| an asset. This rare gemstone is found in only one | | | | necklaces and earrings. These rings can be cut in |
| place on earth- Merelani, which is in the East | | | | various shapes such as oval, pear, round, heart, |
| African state called Tanzania. It is from this place | | | | cushion, marquise, etc. This gem encircled with |
| that the gem derived its name. | | | | diamonds looks very beautiful. Women find this |
| The Merelani mines are fast becoming empty | | | | gem more appealing than others due to its color. |
| because the demand for this stone is increasing | | | | It is hardly found in any other color. Green |
| day by day. Supply is very little and hence the | | | | tanzanite is the rarest. Most of these gems are |
| price is also high. It was first discovered in the | | | | cut in India and then sold in the US market. Since |
| year 1967, since then there has been an ever | | | | the natural tanzanite has become so rare and its |
| increasing demand for this stone. In its rough | | | | stock is fast diminishing, some laboratories are |
| state it is reddish brown in color. After being | | | | now trying to produce artificial tanzanite which is |
| brought out of the mine it is treated with artificial | | | | called tanzanique. The lab created ones do not |
| heat at 600 degrees in a gemological oven. It is | | | | have the shine and sparkle of the natural ones. |
| then fitted into any kind of jewelry. The scarcity | | | | Also, it does not display the pleochroism of the |
| of these gems makes tanzanite jewelry very | | | | natural tanzanite. |
| costly. Women absolutely adore them. Yet | | | | |