Tanzanite

The beautiful violet-blue crystals of the mineral Zoisite were discovered in 1967 in Tanzania. When the gems became commercially available two years later, they were named “tanzanite” by Tiffany & Co. Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 and is trichroic, meaning that three different colors—sapphire blue, violet, and reddish-brown—may be seen by looking at three different views of the stone. Tanzanite is said to align the heart and mind, helping one gain insight into emotional issues, encouraging feelings of compassion. It can also generate relief from worry and feelings of happiness.