Tanzanite, a type of zoisite, is a blue-violet stone discovered in Tanzania in 1967. It can be either transparent or chatoyant (banded like a cat's eye). One viewed from one direction, it will appear to be blue in color, but from other angles tanzanite stones may be violet or gray-blue. It only gains these colors after being processed. Fresh from the mines, tanzanite is an unattractive brown or yellow which requires the application of artificial heat (800-900F) to suppress the yellow to bring out the blue. Though advanced as a substitute for blue sapphires, its brittleness and inferior hardness make it unsuitable for heavy wear, such as a ring might experience. For this reason, the buyer should be careful of glass substitutes or two synthetic spinels pasted together with tanzanite colored glue. Cleaning tanzanite should also be a careful process and they should never be exposed to the ultrasonic cleaners some jewelers no employ do the delicacy of the stone.
Both communication and psychic ability are strengthened by tanzanite, and the stone offers protection in all activities. The throat, third eye, and crown chakras are influenced.
Tanzanite is said to have potent healing abilities, especially over the human reproductive system. It is also said to increase fertility.