Feature: December Birthstone Tanzanite

December has a bounty of birthstones, with turquoise, zircon and tanzanite all beckoning to December babies. As the month wanes, we figured we’d pay tribute to the most striking December birthstone Tanzanite. Tanzanite was named by Tiffany for its country of origin and is a reddish brown in its rough state; however when heated it turns its characteristic blue violet.

Tanzanite’s mystical properties help the wearer most by contributing to their sense of self. Tanzanite strengthens the ability to stand out from the crowd and to do what’s right for its wearer, rather than what is expected. It also is rumored to turn negative energy into positive. Essentially, tanzanite is a “creative” stone that brings its wearer clarity and inspiration – it also may or may not cure physical ailments. Mystical properties aside, tanzanite is a breathtakingly hued stone that should be handled with care – it’s only a 6.5 on the Mohs scale – making it ideal for special occasion rings, earrings and necklaces. Found only in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzanite is indeed one of the absolute rarest gemstones.