Tanzanite is a rare gemstone discovered in Tanzania in 1967. It turns blue when heated and is highly valued. The gemstone industry in Tanzania has had a troubled history, but the government regained control in the 1990s. Tanzanite remains rare and expensive.
Tanzanite is a rare gem that has been celebrated as one of the most exciting finds of the 20th century. Manuel D’Souza discovered the gem in 1967 in Tanzania. He was directed to a cache of stones by Maasai tribesmen, so the original credit for the discovery should really go to the Maasai. D’Souza at first believed that he was going to discover a rich new supply of sapphire, but instead he was surprised to find this beautiful and rare gem.
At first, tanzanite does not seem so impressive, it resembles a brown glass slab. However, when heated, it turns a brilliant blue, sometimes with shades of purple. The best quality stones have been compared to the color of Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes.
Although the Tanzanian government controlled most of the mines in the 1970s, by the 1980s numerous unscrupulous miners were robbing mining sites and employing unsafe mining practices that risked and often cost their workers lives. There were also territorial fights over mines that caused bloodshed. As such, tanzanite has earned a nasty reputation. Tiffany & Company, which had been the leading exporter of tanzanite in the early 1970s, stopped buying it, as the corporation did not want to support the illegal gem trade.
Tanzania regained control of most of the mines in the 1990s. Therefore, today’s Tanzanite gems are not tainted by the dirty practices of the 1980s. Although increased control of the Tanzanite industry has led to Due to safer mining practices, tanzanite remains a rare gem due to initial fighting and the scramble around control of the mines.
The rarity of exceptional quality gemstones translates into considerable expense. Stones in the deepest shades of blue are the most prized, and are the most important consideration when buying a stone.
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