DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE - THE TANZANITE

Tanzanite is the last stone of the year. Elle represents the month of December. Often associated with the Maasai people, this tribe offers a tanzanite to their newborns in order to bring them luck. As its name suggests, it is a stone that is found almost exclusively in Tanzania.

The virtues associated with this gem are creativity, imagination, humor, literary talent. A stone made and destined for artists!

Discovered in Tanzania for the first time, its name honors its origins. However, its first geological denomination was Zoisite introduced at the beginning of the 19th century. But even if its chemical composition shows that elle is indeed part of the Zoisite family, tanzanite is so exceptional in its color that elle was subsequently named Blue Zoisite in 1967. (Fun fact: it was the great American jeweler Tiffany & Co who named this gem tanzanite in order to market it and present it to the world. Needless to say, this masterstroke worked!)

Like most stones, elle is normally colorless. Its color comes from traces of Chrome and Vanadium! Be careful, tanzanite is often treated by heating which accentuates this magnificent blue/purple color. These stones are created thanks to the volcanic activity of the Kilimanjaro mountain range in Tanzania. There are very rare tanzanite crystals found in Pakistan. The deposit in Tanzania remains the only one commercially exploited and it is really small compared to most deposits on Earth. Indeed, it is only about twenty square kilometers.

WHAT DOES TANZANITE REPRESENT?

Tanzanite, the birthstone of December, was first discovered on the Maasai lands of Tanzania in the 1960s. This gem surfaced in the country that bears its name, following a storm near Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, on a deposit of only 20 km².

However, its first geological designation was Zoisite, due to the peculiarity of its color.

Then, tanzanite was named Blue Zoisite in 1967. Birthstones are especially prized for use in gemstone jewelry, like a birthstone ring or a birthstone pendant.

Birth gems are also sought after for mounting religious jewelry.

Tanzanite birthstones are captivating and unique gems.

They are rich in wonders, called "gemstones of a generation" for their rarity.

This makes the tanzanite birthstone a precious and incomparable gem of its kind.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF TANZANITE?

The December birthstone, tanzanite, has a very special history.

This stone, with its blue-violet or indigo colors, was born in the volcanic lands of Kilimanjaro. Blue is a divine and sacred color for the Maasai people, the history of the December birthstone is linked to this people.

Maasai women received blue clothes and pretty beads after their childbirths.

Nowadays, this custom is maintained. The chiefs of the Maasai tribe offer a tanzanite as a gift to newborns and bless them wishing them better health and a happy life.

According to a Maasai myth, nomadic shepherds were the first enthusiasts of this blue tanzanite birthstone. Because of a bushfire, it is said that the tanzanite stones would have lost their specific color. This stone, with its blue-violet or indigo colors, was born in the volcanic lands of Kilimanjaro. Blue is a divine and sacred color for the Maasai people, the history of the December birthstone is linked to this people.

Maasai women received blue clothes and pretty beads after their childbirths.

Nowadays, this custom is maintained. The chiefs of the Maasai tribe offer a tanzanite as a gift to newborns and bless them wishing them better health and a happy life.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TANZANITE

Tanzanite is tricolor, which means that 3 colors can be distinguished on all tanzanites. Its colors are distinguished depending on the angle from which the gem is observed. The three colors of tanzanite are blue, red-violet, and yellow-green brown (bronze), a unique combination for a unique stone. Some heat treatments of tanzanite can attenuate the bronze shades and the blue and violet tones are reinforced. But as each stone is unique and has a different composition, the result will never be the same.

The rarest color of a tanzanite is blue (resembling the blue of the sapphire), it is the most valuable.

As for inclusions, the birthstones of December are generally eye-clean. This gives this stone its popularity, indeed, if a stone is very included, its color is not well seen. So the fact that most tanzanites are of good clarity allows its unique color to be the center of attention.

DOES TANZANITE HAVE A PARTICULAR MEANING OR VIRTUES?

For the Maasai, the birthstones of December would be linked to the divine.

Indeed, the birthstone tanzanite is associated with meditation and spirituality. The gem is associated with the 3rd eye chakra. Tanzanite is also a symbol of perpetuity.

In lithotherapy, December birthstones would have beneficial effects on vision or hearing problems.

With these virtues, tanzanite stones are linked with Chinese and Ayurvedic sciences to the chakras located on the top of the skull, at the throat and eye points.

On beautiful gold or platinum jewelry, set in rings, gold or platinum bracelets, the precious stones of December offer imagination and creativity to their wearers.

Therefore, this December birthstone is intended for artists, but also for those born in this month.

WHAT SHADES OF COLOR DOES TANZANITE HAVE?

This December birthstone surprises with its blue-purple color and the intensity that elle gives off.

Elle has the ability to change color depending on the viewing angle, which is called trichroism.

The three colors of tanzanite are blue, red-violet and yellow-green brown (bronze), a unique combination for a unique stone.

The rarest color of a tanzanite is blue, resembling the blue of sapphire and topaz.

This blue gemstone has the most value.

Regarding inclusions, December birthstones are generally clear to the eye.

At a glance, tanzanite and blue topaz look alike.

But, by carefully examining each of the two stones, nuances, color variations and sparkles really differentiate them.

HOW TO WEAR TANZANITE?

Little known and rare, the tanzanite birthstone can be cut into personalized, unique, and exceptional jewelry. Whether it's an elegant gold necklace, a bold bracelet, or platinum earrings, tanzanite jewelry is best as a choice of elegance.

Giving a tanzanite as a wedding anniversary gift means giving a prestigious present.

Preserving its history, tanzanite is also linked to the birth of a child.

This gem is ideal as a birth gift on a small platinum or gold pendant.

Otherwise, tanzanite can be set on a cute gold charm bracelet. Whatever the jewelry chosen, you will find authentic birthstones at Celinni, a natural diamond expert, with a price of only 99 €.

The list of precious or semi-precious stones is not limited in the collection of Celinni: garnet, emerald, ruby, topaz, pearl, pink amethyst, diamonds, etc.

CARAT WEIGHT - TANZANITE PRICE PER CARAT

Due to the global pandemic causing a reduction in travel, Tanzanite prices have dropped by 20 to 30%.

In 2020, the carat weight had less effect on Tanzanite than on other precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, or diamond. If Tanzanite One Group gains more control over the market, it plans to change the price structure more like that of diamonds which are more affected by size and quality. China has shown more interest in Tanzanite and with the vast Chinese market, the increasing demand could have dramatic effects on the price and availability of Tanzanite.

The price of high-quality materials has started to increase as the Tanzanian government tries to stop smuggling out of the country's mining area. To do this, the army has built a wall entirely around the mining area. They will try to have all rough trades processed through a government office in the mines. A large part of the rough has been smuggled into Kenya and mainly exported to India to be cut. With the disruption of normal channels, we expect the price of Tanzanite to continue to increase.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF TANZANITE?

The current price and value of tanzanite vary depending on the weight. Tanzanite with a green component will be worth much less. For richly colored AAA Tanzanite, 1 ct is worth about 250 to 350 euros per carat. 2ct sizes reach 380 to 550 euros per carat. 3 carats and more will reach 550 to 630 euros per carat.

The ongoing changes in Tanzania make tanzanite a very good investment stone. Other factors affect the value such as the depth of color, the quality of color in daylight, the clarity of the stone, the type of cut, the quality of the cut and polish, the current demand and supply of tanzanite.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF TANZANITE?

The ongoing changes in Tanzania make tanzanite a very good investment stone. Other factors affecting the value include the depth of color, the quality of color in daylight, the clarity of the stone, the type of cut, the quality of the cut and polish, the current demand and supply of tanzanite.

VALUE OF TANZANITE

AAA + is an exceptional color
AAA is a bright color
AAA / AA is an intense color
AA is a moderate color
A is a light color

The average price of Tanzanite in January 2021 is shown below:

	(AAA+)	(AAA)	(AAA-AA)	(AA)	(A)
0.00-.49ct	€270	€220	€210	€110	€75
0.50-0.79ct	€355	€295	€240	€160	€110
0.80-1.49ct	€480	€360	€310	€225	€150
1.50ct +	€630	€540	€425	€310	€225

*Prices may vary depending on the supplier

CHOOSE YOUR TANZANITE STONE AT CELINNI

The tanzanites sourced by Celinni are extracted in a controlled and sustainable manner, both ecologically and societally.

The certified diamond dealers of Celinni exclusively source from reliable sources, governed by criteria defined by non-governmental organizations.

The sole vocation of gemologists is to assist their clients in choosing the most beautiful December birthstone, the tanzanite, at the best price.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

And what if you got your own tanzanite? Visit one of our large jewelry stores in France, Morocco or Switzerland, where our diamond dealers, gemology experts, will guide you towards the most beautiful tanzanites and the ideal shape and color choice for your criteria and budget, in order to create a unique custom-made jewel with you. In our jewelry stores, you can admire the most brilliant tanzanite gemstones!