TANZANITE

What is the new birthstone of December? For all you lucky December babies, you now get to call Tanzanite your birthstone. The story begins with the local Massai legend of how Tanzanite was discovered. Tanzania is a country rich in folklore and legend and at the time of tanzanite's discovery, local Maasai communities wove bold and colorful stories around the creation of this exceptional stone. They told that the land was set ablaze by a bolt of lightning, and that the heat from this magic 'fire from the sky' transformed crystals on the ground into shimmering blue-violet gems. When the last cinders dissolved into the earth and the thick smoke settled, awestruck tribesmen filled their pouches with the mystical

stones, intuitively knowing that these jewels would bring a better life. The actual discovery of Tanzanite remains something of a mystery. Although there are numerous versions, it is not known for certain who found the first crystal. The most widely accredited narrative suggests that in July of 1967, Ali Juuyawatu, a local Maasai tribesman, found a piece of translucent crystal near Mount Kilimanjaro. Fascinated by its blue-violet hue, he shared his find with Manuel D'Souza, a tailor by profession and prospector by passion, who was looking for rubies in the region.

The world's only known source of Tanzanite occurs beneath the sweeping grasslands in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, East Africa.

Spawned during the Pan-African Event, when massive geological activity ripped Africa from India and set Asia adrift from North America, tanzanite's geology is so unique that it has been described as a geological phenomenon. Being discovered in 1967 makes Tanzanite one of the youngest gemstone species to be enjoyed by collectors today. Its rich violet blue hue is sure to entrance most everyone who sees this gem.

Coffin and Trout is always searching for the finest gems available and Tanzanite is one of our favorite blue gems. We have excellent long term relationships with our gem cutters from around the world, which provides us with the best choices possible. We invite you to view this remarkable gem and to explore the many creative possibilities Coffin & Trout has to offer.

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