Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a variety of zoisite found only in Tanzania -- hence its name. Tanzanite was discovered quite recently (1967) at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's an example of a gem "created" by the jewelry industry.
A vice president of Tiffany's discovered tanzanite, and the company secured exclusive rights to market the stone. Market it they did, making tanzanite wildly popular through advertising, store promotions, and the spreading of manufactured "lore" about tanzanite. Nonetheless, tanzanite is a uniquely beautiful gem stone with its own metaphysical and healing properties.
Tanzanite's exquisite shifting colors come from the presence of vanadium impurities. The stone can actually change color in different lighting, shifting from blue to gray to purple; this phenomenon is called pleochroism. Yellow and green zoisite have been found in nearby Zanania, but their hues are not up to the gem quality of tanzanite. When the tanzanite mines are depleted, there will be sudden and spectacular price increases in this lovely stone.
Tanzanite metaphysical properties make it ideal for workaholics. The quiet, soothing play of colors relaxes tensions and stresses, helping one to slow down and take it easy. It inspires poise, tranquility, balance and equanimity. Tanzanite should be worn when great pressure is on at work, in school, sports competitions, and other high-stress environments when being in command of one's emotions is vital.
Tanzanite healing properties include stress-related conditions, including high blood pressure (hypertension). It restores vitality to the entire body, particularly the hair and skin, because it encourages cell regeneration. Tanzanite seems to slow the aging process and give the wearer an "inner glow" of health and vitality.
Tanzanite's blue and purple colors vibrate in resonance with the sixth chakra, also known as the "third eye." This chakra is located between and just above the eyebrows. The 6th chakra is the one through which mental energies flow. Placing a tanzanite upon the 6th chakra opens the third eye to clear, efficient, logical thinking; enhances remembrance of past lives and ancient wisdom; and enables clairvoyance and other psychic abilities. Tanzanite is an excellent meditation stone!
Tanzanite is an alternate modern birth stone for the month of December, which also claims turquoise and blue topaz as its birth stones. Although tanzanite was discovered in 1967, it was not added to the modern birth stone list until 2002.
Tanzanite is associated with the astrological Zodiac signs of Sagittarius and Virgo.