As the home to both the highest and lowest points on the continent and encompassing a portion of Africa’s largest lake, Tanzania is a region of extreme natural beauty and wonder.  It’s newly discovered gems reflect the shimmering majesty that the country has to offer. 

One of the most exciting developments in the recent history of Tanzania has been the discovery of two of the world’s most sought after gems.  Despite containing vast reserves of gold, diamonds and platinum, attention is now firmly focussed on the country’s new stars: Tanzanite and Tsavorite.  Whilst Tanzania is one of the oldest known continually inhabited areas on earth, it was not until the late 1960s that both gemstones were discovered and marketed to a worldwide audience. With the nationalisation of the mining areas and the organisation of cutting and marketing being controlled at a local level, Tanzanite and Tsavorite have generated a multi-million dollar industry. 

Tanzanite
East Africa’s largest country is home to vast swathes of natural beauty, running from the tropical vegetation of the Coastal Plains to the breezy waters of Lake Nyasa in the southwest.  The vivid blue mineral bearing its name, Tanzanite, is yet another jewel in the crown of the country’s strikingly diverse range of wonders.  Discovered by a local Maasai tailor and part-time prospector and marketed by the world-renowned luxury jewellers Tiffany & Company, Tanzanite has become one of the most sought after gems in recent history and global sales total around $500 million annually.  It is noted for its trichroism, a phenomenon in which the stone appears alternately sapphire blue, violet and burgundy depending on its orientation.  The stone is also classed as eye-flawless, meaning that no inclusions are visible to the naked eye, contributing to its high value and popularity.

Tsavorite
This deep green rare gem was discovered by a British geologist in the equally green mountains of north-east Tanzania.  The unique beauty of the landscape from which it originates – the rolling hills and arid grassland of the East African bushland – is reflected in the rare qualities that Tsavorite possesses.  The different array of green hues on offer – ranging from a spring-like light green to a deeper forest shade – twinned with its high luminosity make the mineral notoriously difficult to hide and captures the gaze of all those who come across it.  These qualities also make it ideal for jewellery as it produces great radiance in small quantities.  Unlike many other gemstones Tsavorite is neither burnt nor oiled, meaning that it is, much like its parent country, a piece of pure, unadulterated nature.  Such is the magnificence of the stone that it is often referred to by jewel connoisseurs as the best green gemstone available and a partner to match the classics: diamond, ruby and sapphire.   

Where to find Tanzania’s Gemstones      
Due to their constantly increasing popularity, both Tanzanite and Tsavorite can be purchased from respected jewellers across the globe.  However, if you want to view the stones framed by the beauty of their natural habitat, the gemstone regions of Tanzania have a lot to offer.  Tsavorite is often mined in the areas surrounding the city of Arusha in the north east of the country.  Situated beneath the imposing volcano that forms Mount Meru, Arusha is just 60km from Mount Kilimanjaro and is close to the popular tourist attractions of the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti plains.  Tanzanite is the unofficial gem of the Manyara Region (which lies just to the south of Arusha) and is only found in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. 
 

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