Tantalizing blue

Tanzanite formation started 500 million years ago when Mt Kilimanjaro erupted in today8217;s South African area and caused a distinctive permutation of chemicals and conditions remaining constant all these years, fueling the augmentation of this extraordinary gemstone. The Masai cattle herders that don blue attire and beads to celebrate life at the birth of a new one are allegedly the first ones to notice this exotically coloured stone after a fire caused by lightening burned areas in Tanzania and the heat had turned the zoisite nearly opaque and brown crystals to blue. Though mineral zoisite was discovered in1805 by Baron Zoisvon Edelstein but zoisite failed to proclaim gemstone status. Eventually in 1967, Manuel D8217;Souza a tailor of Indian origin and a hobbyist prospector accidentally led to the discovery of this tantalizing blue. Through links he made Henry Platt, grandson of Louis Comfort Tiffany to take notice. Platt christened the stone as Tanzanite and recognizing its potential reserved first exclusive rights for 10 years for Tiffany 038; Company. Pioneering its career as a substitute for the cornflower blue sapphire it8217;s still revered for the particular tone.

Tanzanite exhibits an intrinsic trichroic nature tri-coloured thus making it one of the trickiest stones to examine. When you come across a deep dark blue with overtones of purple and mystifying tinge of lavender, then it is the exotic tanzanite. Colour, carat, clarity and cut avoid native cuts in the particular order should be observed. For investment angle, purchase loose pieces to determine the 4 Cs optimally. Popular cuts include cushion, round, trillion, pear and ovals. Tanzanite displays colour variation under different light patterns, hence, after you8217;ve determined the tone ensure under neutral-fluorescent light it preeminently mimics the mid- daylight to make your absolute selection. Cluster purchase is always recommended at one go. The much revered natural dark blue is rare thus most other colours are enhanced to obtain the desired tone by heating them above 500 degree Celsius. Being brittle by nature, avoid pressure, knocks and extreme temperature changes. In 2002, it was officially made an additional stone for the December born. The phenomenal demand of this arresting but receding gemstone has made it the subsequent fastest selling in the world. As opposed to stocks and other ostensible investments, gemstone costs keep pace with inflation. When the singular source of tanzanite is mined out, speculations are that it will be irreplaceable. Thus, the prospect of tanzanite paying off as a concrete investment is exceptionally high. It8217;s also the hottest colour this season!

The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02gmail.com