TANZANITE CRYSTALS SPECIMENS

Tanzanite is a blue-violet variety of zoisite that gains its color from the substitution of vanadium within the zoisite mineral structure. It is found only in the Arusha and Manyara regions of Tanzania, Africa, which it is named after. It is well known and relatively popular in the gemstone community for its lovely color and pleochroic effect when viewing from different angles. Before faceting into a gemstone, a tanzanite's pleochroism is considered to ensure it is cut at an angle that delivers the strongest blue-violet color. Tanzanite is relatively soft for a gemstone, so its uses in jewelry are somewhat limited.