Tanzanite for December

Posted by Hannah - 01 November 2017

December has three stones (just spoilt!) - zircon, turquoise and our favourite, tanzanite!

Tanzanite is classed as a semi - precious stone and measures 6 1/2 on Mohs hardness scale (not suitable for everyday wear). The gem is only mined in one place - Tanzania! It is the most sought after form of zoisite, due to its distinctive blue purple colour, which is caused by vanadium. The first tanzanite crystal was found in 1967. Tanzanite is pleochroic, which means that it will show as a different colour when viewed from different angles.

Our impressive 16ct Tanzanite Meadow ring.

Zircon measures 7 1/2 on Mohs hardness scale and is most famous for its colourless stones, which closely resemble diamonds and have been used both intentionally and mistakenly in their place! Although colourless when pure, impurities cause lots of different colours: brown, blue, green and red. Zircon was believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, honour and riches (might go get some just in case!)

Fancy cut rich orange brown zircon.

Turquoise was one of the first gemstones to be mined and has long been prized for its intense colour, which varies from sky blue to green, depending on quantities of iron and copper.  It is usually used in silver jewellery and is a very soft stone, which is why you don't see it in many of Jon's designs.

If you would like to know more about any of these stones, please get in touch!

Bye for now!

Hannah