Pink tanzanite 0.16 ct.

TANZANITE

Is a variety of Zoisite, a Calcium Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide. The formula is

Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH) and hardness 6.5-7.

Found in Tanzania in 1967 ( hence the name ) is one of the major gemstone who will keep and increase it’s value in the future.

Most of the tanzanite in the market are heat treated: the starting natural color is brownish,greenish,yellowish or in between; some of them are found already blue-violet, and for those there is no need of heat treatment.The heating is performed at around 500 C° and is permanent. Pleochroism is very strong: when seen from different angles, the color change from blue to violet and sometimes when can observe three different colors at the same time,depending on how the table were oriented on the C axis when the stone was cut. The only know source is Merelani, in the Arusha region,not far from the Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

A new variety of pink color has recently been found,generally the stones size are very small,under 1 ct. and rarely completely clean; the hue range from hot pink to pink purple/violet and is definetely a beautiful stone!

Size:3.2x3.2x2.2 mm.

Weight:0.16 ct.

CODE#4637