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The
Tanzanite Gemstone is a fairly recent find. Tanzanite
Gemstone is the blue/purple variety of the mineral
zoisite discovered in the Meralani Hills of northern
Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha. Tanzanite
Gemstone is a popular and valuable gemstone when cut,
although its
durability is somewhat lacking. Tanzanite Gemstone is
noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing
alternately sapphire blue, violet, and sage-green
depending on crystal orientation.
The Tanzanite Gemstone is quite hard but at the same
time is brittle. This brittleness makes the Tanzanite
Gemstone require special care when wearing Tanzanite
Gemstone jewelry.
One fact that is not so well known is that, the
Tanzanite Gemstone in its original rough form is
brownish in color. Heat treatment is used to bring out
the blue and purple colors of this
gorgeous Tanzanite Gemstone.
However, most Tanzanite Gemstone is subjected to
artificial heat treatment to improve its colour; this
significantly subdues its trichroism. |
