D-Block Mine, Merelani Hills, Manyara Region, Tanzania

Gems, 6.84 mm x 5.20 mm, 0.72 ct

A classic faceted Tanzanite with a standard "Oval Brilliant" cut and only very very slight inclusions. A good representative gem for a collector or a lovely piece of jewelry. Tanzanite is one of the most popular colored stones in the world. It is the gem blue variety of the mineral Zoisite, named after Tanzanite where it was first discovered in the Merelani Hills. The first pieces were discovered in 1968, and today the production goes deep into the earth on a large commercial scale where almost every good piece of Tanzanite can be recovered quickly, faceted at or near the mine site, and shipped throughout the world in finished condition. The beautiful color and limited quantity of the material is what keeps it so in-demand. They are truly one of the ultimate combinations of rarity and beauty in gem world. It is believed that the supply of Tanzanite at Merelani will last no longer than 10 more years, at which point the mining will cease, and no more Tanzanite may ever be mined again. Once the supply is cut off, you can expect that the price of Tanzanite will sky-rocket.