Tanzanite
The Violet-Blue Voice of Truth
Also known as: Blue Zoisite
About the stone
Discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, blue zoisite was renamed Tanzanite by Tiffany & Co. because 'blue zoisite' was pronounced 'Blue Suicide'. It is a member of the epidote group. It is both trichroic, showing 3 colors, and displays pleochroism, showing multiple colors depending on the angle of light hitting the stone. Almost all Tanzanite is heat treated, which removes the brown/red color, making it dichroic, only showing blue and violet. It is rare, highly sought after as a gemstone, and has never been created artificially in a lab. Lower grades of stone are sometimes coated in cobalt to improve the color, but the coating usually wears off, leaving a much duller stone behind.
Mineral data
- Chemical composition: Tanzanite is the blue-violet gem variety of zoisite, a calcium aluminum silicate of the epidote group, with the formula Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH), colored by trace amounts of vanadium.
- Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
- Color: Blue to violet-blue, showing trichroic flashes of blue, violet and (before heat treatment) brown or red, depending on the viewing angle.
- Specific gravity: 3.35
- Refractive index: 1.691-1.700
Metaphysical data
Tanzanite, treasured for its twilight blues and its association with honest expression, has been utilized in metaphysical practices to bring mind and heart into a calm, truthful partnership.
Centering and Calming Energy
- Tanzanite is thought to bring a quiet, centered clarity, helping one stand in the truth of the present moment with mind and heart working together as one steady circuit.
- Its insight into emotional issues is said to prevent endless dwelling, calming the mind so that one can step back from a situation instead of being swept along by it.
Emotional Healing
- Tanzanite is believed to awaken compassion, love and joy, and to soothe the frayed feelings that follow long periods of stress or emotional exhaustion.
- It is said that one cannot deny or conceal the truth from oneself while working with this stone, making it an honest if gentle companion for emotional reflection.
Harmonizing Energy Centers
- Tanzanite is associated with the throat chakra, where it is thought to support honest self-expression and the ability to speak one's truth with kindness.
- It is said to integrate the mind and the heart, and it is counted among the twelve Synergy Stones that practitioners combine to amplify one another's energies.
Zodiac Associations
- Tanzanite is linked to the zodiac signs Pisces and Sagittarius, pairing the intuitive dreamer with the truth-seeking explorer, two spirits well suited to its qualities.
- It is said to vibrate to the number 2 in numerology, a number of balance and partnership that echoes the union of heart and mind.
Spiritual Growth
- Tanzanite is often used in meditation to encourage honest self-knowledge, helping the practitioner see what is true without the need to hide or soften it.
- Its changing colors are thought to remind the wearer that many perspectives can live inside one stone, and one person, at the same time.
Physical Healing
- Tanzanite is not a substitute for professional medical advice, but it is traditionally believed to soothe exhausted adrenals and ease the strain of long-term stress.
- Some practitioners keep it close during times of tension headaches or migraines, or when working through difficult habits, always alongside qualified medical and professional care.
Care and handling
Tanzanite is relatively soft for a gemstone and has a direction of cleavage, so it can chip or split if knocked. Clean it with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, sudden temperature changes and harsh chemicals. Because lower grades may be coated with cobalt, avoid abrasive cleaning and do not use coated stones in water.
Individual experiences with Tanzanite vary, and its effects are deeply personal. Approach it with a mindful, open heart, and allow it to support your own search for truth and compassion.