is a very special and
unique gemstone. World-wide it occurs only in one specific
location. Experts say that the chance of Tanzanite occurring anywhere else in the
world is less than a million to one. The gemstone's single source and
limited supply makes it at least one thousand times rarer than a
diamond. Its
blue color which shimmers in a slightly purplish shade is magnificent
indeed.
Its name reminds of the world-wide unique occurrence in the east-African state of Tanzania. Africa – the name of this continent does not immediately remind us of gemstones. Nevertheless, Africa is a continent from where many splendid and beautiful stones find their way to the world markets. An example for this is Tanzanite, which was enthusiastically celebrated after its discovery in 1967 as "Gemstone of the 20th Century” The gemstone experts literally held their breaths when they were shown the first deep blue crystals mined in the Mererani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania.
Millions of years ago on the wide planes
near Mount Kilimanjaro, the core of these unusual valuable crystals were stored. For a long time they remained hidden in
the eyes of men, until one day some Massai-herdsmen passing by noticed
crystals sparkling in the sun and picked them up.
Today at Mererani the popular crystals are searched for in several, usually smaller mines, to some extent by means of modern methods. Generally only smaller grains are being found, but now and then the miners strike a lucky vein and produce a larger crystal – much to the pleasure of the mine-owners and the numerous Tanzanite enthusiasts everywhere in the world.
Today at Mererani the popular crystals are searched for in several, usually smaller mines, to some extent by means of modern methods. Generally only smaller grains are being found, but now and then the miners strike a lucky vein and produce a larger crystal – much to the pleasure of the mine-owners and the numerous Tanzanite enthusiasts everywhere in the world.
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