Tanzanite
Tanzanite Information
WEARABILITY* Good
ENHANCEMENTS Virtually all tanzanite is heat treated
*Wearability is graded as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Poor, and Forget It!
CHEMISTRY Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH)
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Orthorhombic
REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.692 - 1.700
HARDNESS 6 - 7
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 3.35
CLEAVAGE Perfect
HEAT SENSITIVE Yes
SPECIAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS Avoid rough treatment
For more details see the article on "Hardness and Wearability."
... Truly a modern gemstone, transparent zoisite of a naturally reddish brown color which can be heated to a stable blue to violet, was discovered in the shadow of Mt. Kilamanjaro in 1969. Although other varieties of opaque zoisite were well known, they made no impact on the gem market. Tanzanite's rise to prominence among retail jewelers and the general public has been rapid and dramatic. Naturally trichroic, the species shows different colors when viewed through each of its three crystal axes: blue, red-violet and yellow-green.
... Although the occasional blue-violet stone is found in the rough state (Mother Nature in this case has already provided the heating); the majority of them must be heated to create this color. Usually stones are cut and polished prior to heating to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit, as abrasions, fractures and inclusions in the rough can cause cracking. This means that the cutter has to attempt to orient the stone for best color prior to the color change. It is the yellow-green color which is converted to deep blue by this treatment. Another important decision which must be made by the cutter is the choice to go for size (usually the more violet orientation yields the largest stone) or blueness (blue orientation yields smaller gems). A very small fraction of Tanzanite rough heat treats to a green or blue green color and such stones are valued by collectors.
... In the trade, all Tanzanites are assumed to be heat treated and the color is stable. Initially, blue stones were valued as a substitute for sapphire, but gradually appreciation for the more violetish tones has risen. Tanzanite is used frequently as a ring stone, but with its hardness of 6.5, and it's tendency to cleave, daily wear will dull the finish and its brittleness is a hazard. This lovely and expensive stone is better suited to earrings, pendants, tie pins and occasional wear rings or those with protective settings. Recent disastrous weather conditions, government embargos and continuing political tensions have restricted the supply, especially of larger fine colored stones.
