Blue Topaz
Symbolizes love and fidelity
Sources
Topaz is found primarily in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Pakistan, China, and the United States (specifically New Hampshire, Utah and California)
Points of Interest
Derived from the Sanskrit word “tapas,” meaning fire. This is because Blue Topaz was considered by ancient civilizations to have cooling properties, including hot tempers.
This gemstone was credited with many healing powers, among them the ability to cure insanity, asthma, weak vision and insomnia.
To Christians, it has been known as a symbol of uprightness and virtue.
Set in gold and worn around the neck, topaz is reputed to dispel bad omens, heal poor vision and calm anger.
The Romans thought topaz improved eyesight
The Hindus believe that worn as a pendant, this gemstone will relieve thirst, sharpen intelligence and lengthen ones life.
In Egyptian practices, it is the symbol of Ra, the Sun god, who was the giver of life, and thus protected the wearer from injury.
It has been said this gem that has the power to improve one’s communication skills and make a more eloquent and confident speaker.
Dreaming of topaz may indicate that good fortune is on its way.
The three shades of Blue Topaz are Sky, Swiss and London Blue. London is the deepest blue and is often used as a less expensive substitute for Sapphire.
Tanzanite
In 1912 the “modern” birthstones were decided by the Jewelers of America. In 2002, Tanzanite was also added as a December birthstone by the American Gem Association
Symbolizes love, fidelity and new life
Sources
The world’s only commercial deposits are in Northeast Tanzania, near Mount Killimanjaro.
Points of Interest
First identified in the 1960’s
Named for Tanzania, the East African nation where it was originally found
Believed to have formed about 600 million years ago when heat, pressure and chemistry changes from major geologic events in eastern Africa caused existing minerals over a wide area to become new ones; in face a gem-rich belt 150 miles wide and 3,000 miles long.
Legend says that it was Masai cattle herders that first noticed this stone some 30 years ago after a fire caused by lightening burned areas in Tanzania. The herders noticed that brown zoisite crystals had turned a deep blue-purple due to the heat from the fire.
Celebrated New York jewelers, Tiffany & Co., gemological pioneers since the late 19th Century, heard about the remarkable discovery in Tanzania. At that time, Henry B Platt, great grandson of Louis Comfort Tiffany, and later president and chairman, was working with Tiffany’s then president, Walter Hoving, shaping and directing jewelry collections. It was Platt who first seized upon and marketed the new gemstone, naming it ‘tanzanite’ after its country of origin, and launching it at Tiffany’s in October 1968. He remarked that it was undoubtedly ‘the most beautiful Blue stone to be discovered in over 2000 years’.
1,000 rarer than diamonds
