Here is a gem that in its relatively short life has made it to the top of the gemological world, sharing honors with ruby, sapphire, emerald, and opal. Although discovered only since the mid 1960's, tanzanite's rich, velvety violet blue color has won the hearts of gem lovers everywhere. No other gem has such a depth of color; it is like looking at a richly colored piece of soft velvet. Tanzanite never fails to charm everyone who sees it. No wonder it is so popular. Even the lighter shades of tanzanite are attractive and are used in commercially produced jewelry because this pastel lavender color is more plentiful and much less expensive than the top colors.

It seems that tanzanite becomes more popular as it becomes more scarce. Currently, top quality gems are going for a premium. Many dealers have little or no stock of fine quality tanzanite left but because demand for this lovely gem is high, they are actively searching for new productive sources. Tanzanite is found in only one place in the world, East Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania. The mining there is sporadic at best and plagued by mine cave-ins, primitive mining techniques, smuggling, and random hit or miss digging. Right now a new vein of good material has yet to develop; that is why prices are so high for current stock. When this material is gone, there is nothing to replace it. However, that could change tomorrow if the local miners are successful in locating a new tanzanite vein. It is a common refrain in the colored gem industry-feast or famine-prices are low during times of plentiful supply and rise when supply becomes limited.

As is true of the other highly desirable gems, tanzanite has been targeted by others to duplicate its luscious violet blue color. There is a synthetic forsterite on the market that is a good mimic of tanzanite's color except when viewed next to a fine tanzanite, then it is obvious that the velvety look is missing. Natural tanzanite is usually found in the ground as brownish or yellowish crystals but upon heating turn a deep blue. The theory is that is how tanzanite was discovered. Some crystals were found on the ground by the local residents and had turned blue under the intense African sun. This gave them the notion that other similar looking crystals could be heated as well. Tanzanite does not like extremes of temperature and should be protected from intense cold and then heat. This could cause it to fracture. Also, since it is around 6 1/2 in hardness, tanzanite should be mounted in jewelry that protects it from blows and scratches.