Tanzanite is a one-location wonder, born from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania—literally nowhere else on Earth produces this gem. Discovered in 1967 by a Maasai tribesman, tanzanite quickly rocketed into the hearts of gem lovers and designers alike. It was Tiffany & Co. that gave it its now-iconic name and helped launch it onto the world stage.

What makes Tanzanite so mesmerizing is its color play—deep sapphire blues melting into royal purples, with flashes of violet and burgundy depending on the angle and lighting. It's a pleochroic gemstone, which is just a fancy way of saying “you’ll never see it the same way twice.” Most are gently heat-treated to unlock their vivid hues, a stable and widely accepted process. Rare, captivating, and possibly a one-generation supply, Tanzanite is a love letter from the Earth that you won’t want to return.