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tanzanite

tanzanite

1 9.9
A rare blue-violet gemstone from Tanzania used in jewelry
  • noun
  • /ˈtæn.zə.naɪt/
: tanzanita
  • The jeweler displayed a stunning tanzanite ring in the shop window.
  • tanzanite ring
  • tanzanite and diamond

Examples

  • At the gem show, I found a beautiful tanzanite ring that showcased its vibrant color and clarity.

  • She wore a stunning necklace featuring a deep blue-violet tanzanite surrounded by sparkling diamonds.

  • Collectors prize tanzanite for its unique blue-violet color and rarity.

  • She received a necklace with a sparkling tanzanite pendant for her birthday.

  • She wore a stunning tanzanite necklace to the gala.

  • The tanzanite ring sparkled beautifully in the sunlight.

  • The jeweler explained that the price of a tanzanite depends greatly on its size and color quality.

How Rare

tanzanite
1 9.9
diamond
677 1.4
ruby
68 4.3
amethyst
17 6.0
quartz
19 3.7

Surface Forms

tanzanite singular
tanzanites plural

Morphology

tanzanite = Tanzania (semi-transparent) = tanzan + ite

Formed from the place-name Tanzania + the mineral-forming suffix -ite, which signals a mineral origin but does not by itself tell learners the word refers specifically to a blue‑violet gemstone.

Etymology

The word tanzanite comes from Tanzania, the country where the gemstone was first found, and the ending -ite is common in mineral names like graphite. Because it was discovered only there and is rare, tanzanite now means that special blue-violet gemstone.