Tanzanite: The Gemstone Discovered in Our Lifetime

In the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, a Maasai tribesman named Ali Juuyawatu stumbled upon some unusual blue crystals in 1967. He had no idea he had just discovered what would become one of the world's most sought-after gemstones.

A Single Source

Tanzanite is found in only one location on Earth: a small mining area near Arusha, Tanzania, roughly 4 kilometers wide and 2 kilometers long. This geological rarity makes tanzanite about 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.

The Tiffany Connection

Tiffany & Co. recognized the stone's potential and named it "tanzanite" after its country of origin. Their marketing campaign introduced this violet-blue wonder to the world, and it quickly became one of the most popular colored gemstones.

Trichroic Beauty

Tanzanite displays remarkable trichroism—showing different colors when viewed from different angles. A single stone can appear blue, violet, or burgundy depending on the lighting and orientation. This optical phenomenon adds to its mystique and collectibility.