Tanzanite is a very highly prized stone found only deep in the mines of Tanzania, Africa. There is speculation that the mines will soon be depleted and no other sources of Tanzanite has been discovered. Legend has it that the Masaai tribe discovered tanzanite after lightning had struck the plain brown stone, turning it a dazzling shade of violet. It is said that the Masaai traditionally give tanzanite as a gift when a baby is born.

Brought to consumers by jewelry legend Tiffany and Co. shortly after it's discovery in 1967, tanzanite has been a popular choice for jewelry ever since.

A tanzanite pendant can be a beautiful addition to your jewelry box. Ranging in size from one to usually no more than ten carats, a tanzanite pendant can be delicate and small or bold and big. The larger the stone, the more it will usually cost per carat.

Tanzanite has the amazing capacity to display shades of purple, blue, and even green and red, depending on it's cut and the way the light hits the stone. The most valuable stones are the ones with the deepest saturation of color.

Take care not to expose your tanzanite pendant to prolonged heat or elements such as seawater. Never put your tanzanite pendant in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Your jeweler can advise you of the best way to clean your tanzanite, or they can simply do it for you. If your tanzanite pendant becomes smudged, simply polish gently with a soft cloth.

Tanzanite is preferred in pendants and earrings because of it's Moh's scale ranking. Coming in at 6.5, tanzanite is not as durable as other common gemstones. Tanzanite rings are more likely to be damaged than a harder gemstone. Pendants and earrings do not usually take as many jostles and hits the way rings might in everyday situations, so tanzanite is a fine choice for these types of jewelry.