Tanzanite
Tanzanite Gemstone Origin
Tanzanite is the blue-purple variety of the mineral zoisite. The name comes from its only origin in the world, Tanzania. The only known source of Tanzanite in the world locates in a 4km strip of land near Mount Kilimanjaro, northern Tanzania.
Unlike many well-known gemstones with long historical values, tanzanite’s history is relatively modern. Its deep royal blue to violet color makes this gemstone unique and attractive. In addition to that, its recent discovery and limited source make Tanzanite's popularity rise and become one of the favorites among gemstone collectors.
The story of Tanzanite began with Maasai herders who were tending livestock and founded blue crystals in the Merelani Hills near Arusha, Tanzania in 1967. They notified a prospector named Manuel d’Souza, who promptly registered claims with the government to begin mining. d’Souza thought he was mining sapphire gems, but the crystal was soon identified as a variety of the mineral zoisite.
Later, Tiffany & Co. recognized this blue gem’s potential to be more valuable than sapphire. In 1968, for its publicizing and exclusive marketing of this "blue zoisite", they named the gemstone "tanzanite" to highlight its only known geographic origin.
Tanzanite as the December Birthstone
December 1 - 31
Tanzanite is one among three December Birthstones. Alongside Turquoise and Zircon, Tanzanite is a perfect festive gift option for a December baby.
Color, Shades, and Varieties
Like most colored gemstones, Tanzanite becomes higher in value when it has an intense, saturated color. Tanzanite has one of the finest violet-to-blue hues in the gemstone world, even compared to sapphire. The tone in tanzanite refers to the stone’s lightness or darkness and ranges from Intense (AAA+) to Faint (A).
Tanzanite is the only trichroic gemstone, meaning having the ability to display three different colors (blue, violet, and red) within the same gemstone.
Tanzanite Symbolism:
Tanzanite can bring someone into a sense of deep meditation and divine healing.
Helps open minds and hearts to any psychic abilities someone has.
Encourages regeneration of skin, hair, and cells.
Infuses you with strength and also helps the body detox.
Helps someone to overcome their fear, and let go of worries.
The stone is referred to as the third eye and throat chakra. The throat chakra is the seat of our intimate truth and how we communicate our authentic selves to other people, keep someone shying away from who we are, and helps us to live in the light of the self.
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Turquoise
Turquoise Gemstone Origin
Since ancient times, turquoise has become a very popular stone due to its distinct color appearance. Archaeologists believe that turquoise is one of the most ancient gems. Its earliest evidence comes from Egyptian tombs dating back to 3000 BCE, where Egyptians called them "mefkat", meaning "joy" and "delight."
Turquoise is the national gem of Tibet. Tibetan Turquoise is hugely mined in the Himalayas and Tibetan believe that these stone ornaments can bring protection to travelers and warriors.
Turkish were the pioneer to bring the turquoise stone to Europe via the Silk Road in the 13th century and makes it popular with the French. They influenced the gemstone’s name. The gem’s name comes from the French expression pierre tourques, or “Turkish stone.”
Turquoise as the December Birthstone
December 1 - 31
Together with Tanzanite and Zircon, Turquoise is the birthstone of December. Gifting someone a Turquoise means “forget me not” in European traditions.
Color, Shades, and Varieties
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. The ideal Turquoise is a sky blue color of a medium tone and saturation, however, this gemstone comes in various intensities of blue and sea greenish-blue. Turquoise often has a brown, gray, or black matrix that is sometimes recessed below the polished surface of the stone.
Turquoise is plentiful and available in a wide range of sizes. It’s used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and inlays.
Turquoise Symbolism:
Represents luck, wisdom, tranquility, protection, good fortune, and hope.
Persians believe that this stone helps bring victory.
Dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences or pollutants in the atmosphere.
Strengthen your connection to intuition, and it is also helpful for protection and purification.
Helps you become more open to love and forgiveness, and release patterns of self-sabotage.
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Zircon
Zircon Gemstone Origin
Zircon counts to be the oldest mineral on Earth. Originally formed by crystallization from magma or in metamorphic rocks, zircons are so durable and resistant to any chemical attack that they rarely go away, making it the oldest mineral on Earth, dating back more than 4.4 billion years. Most zircon is mined in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand.
The name Zircon derives from the Persian zargun, meaning "gold-hued". Because it occurs in nearly every color of the rainbow, zircon is a popular gemstone among collectors. The colorless variety of zircon has been the most popular kind, as it is the most similar-looking stone to diamond. Sadly, nowadays, zircon is often misunderstood by cubic zirconia, the laboratory-grown imitation diamond, that has a lower value.
Zircon as the December Birthstone
December 1 - 31
Blue Zircon is considered one among three birthstones for those born in December.
Color, Shades, and Varieties
Zircon is a popular gemstone among collectors and is known for its range of colors, with blue as the popular variety. Blue zircons can range in color from a pastel blue to a very bright blue. While blue becoming the most favorable hue of zircon, other colors such as orange, yellow, red, green, gray, brown, and colorless are also available in the market. The color of zircon ranges differently formed by impurities and contains stabilized radioactive.
Zircon Symbolism:
Believed to help the wearer to have a good sleep
Brings prosperity, honor, and wisdom.
Increase one's self-confidence.
Aid the wearer in loving themselves as well as others, as it opens up the heart and brings compassion.
Inspires and motivates, and gives guidance when needed.
Bring prosperity, especially with stones that contain golden or yellow colors