Tanzanite At Tiffany's

Photo: TazaniteJewelryDesign
Some people like to breakfast at Tiffany's. (Know the waiting list is a year long.) Recently I had a ball perusing Tiffany's fine jewelry collection, my research for THE SAVVY SHOPPER. The first floor of Tiffany's is set up with showcases of one beautiful, flawless stone set in trinkets after another. Under the glass and lights, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other fine gems are ultra translucent in all their glory. I like to tell a sales associate that he is selling the stones, I wish I could buy instead of the ring I'm wearing!😍 Unlike some high end retailers, Tiffany employees are very kind to smile when I say it. They are well aware that most of us who walk in their door are only lookers. And yet, I see high-rollers! Hellooo serious buyers, pleased to meet you!🙂


Let's talk about a jewel, which Tiffany & Co. named after the country where it was discovered: Tanzanite, a blue and violet stone, consisting of the mineral zoisite. Unlike my favorite, sapphires💙(which usually require greater heat treatment for clarity), tanzanites tend to be more "eye clean." 

Just like diamonds, tanzanites are valued according to the four "c"s: color, cut, clarity and carat. The most desirable color is a vivid violet blue, which is what I saw at Tiffany's. Nothing but!
Photo: Macy's

The gemstone was discovered in 1967 by Manuel de Souza, a part-time gold miner, in the hills of Northern Tanzania, and thus far, it is the only place on earth where the rock is found. The government in Tanzania has taken steps to stop the smuggling of tanzanites out of the mining area of the country. A wall completely surrounding the mines was built by the country's army. With regulations in place, the price of tanzanites per carat which now is lower than diamonds and sapphires, is expected to climb in the future.

Tiffany & Co. takes great care to buy their stones from ethnically minded countries where business is carried out in a humane way, which is to be greatly admired. 

Tanzanite measures a 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. (Diamonds are a 10 while pearls rate a 4.) So as with all fine jewelry, caution must be taken not to scratch this brilliant stone.
Photo: Effy for Macy's
On my fun day at Tiffany's, I found tanzanites to be as stunning as sapphires. The upscale store is also a safe place to gaze at them, because all are priced well above my budget. Still it's eye-opening to behold top of the heap jewelry. Thank you, Tiffany & Co., I had a lovely time trying on your beautiful tanzanites!


You may also enjoy:
About Morganite
For The Love Of Sapphires
Always Buy Good Jewelry Design
Royal Engagement Rings: Let's Take A Look

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