Beautiful Tanzanite is a rare, violet-blue gemstone and yet another December birthstone alongside turquoise and zircon, as well as the gemstone for a 24th anniversary.
It's fascinating to think that it was only recently discovered in1967 by a Masai tribesman in the hills of Merelani in northern Tanzania.
More Fun facts:
* Tanzanite’s only known source in the world is along a 3 mile strip of land near Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. This single, limited source renders it at least 1000 times more rare than diamonds, yet it's less expensive.
* According to local lore, Masai herders discovered the stones when lightning struck their fields and set them ablaze.
* Tanzanite has been attributed with qualities of good luck and prosperity, and associated with celebrations of new life and new beginnings.
* Tanzanite is becoming increasingly recognized as an heirloom due to its very limited supply and rarity.
Among the Maasai, the color blue is seen as sacred and spiritual. This, coupled with its characteristics of new life have brought about a tradition where Tanzanite is given to Maasai women after the birth of a child as an offering of health, positivity and prosperity to the child.
Wear Tanzanite to balance the mind, body, and soul.