Purple Tanzanite

Purple Tanzanite 

Purple tanzanite is a rare, trichroic color variation of the mineral zoisite, found exclusively in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. Prized for its intense pleochroism—displaying flashes of violet, deep blue, and reddish-purple—its final hue is heavily influenced by the gem cutter's orientation and the lighting conditions. 

• Color Profile: All tanzanite has both blue and purple undertones, but gems categorized specifically as "purple tanzanite" are cut to emphasize their lush violet and reddish-purple axes. 
• Pleochroism: One of tanzanite's most fascinating traits is its ability to shift colors under different light sources. They often look intensely purple in warm incandescent light and more violet-blue in cool daylight. 
• Treatments: Nearly all tanzanite on the market is gently heat-treated to remove naturally occurring brownish-yellow tones and permanently bring out the deep, rich purples and blues. 
• Rarity: Because it is mined in only one small area of the world, tanzanite is considerably rarer than a diamond. 
• Durability: Tanzanite ranks between 6.5 and 7.0 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is relatively soft and has perfect cleavage, making it slightly more fragile than sapphires or rubies.