Tanzanite meaning & facts
Tanzanite is a birthstone for December. Tanzanite is associated with transformation, insight and calm.
- Birth month
- December
- Colour
- Violet blue
- Mineral
- Zoisite
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6–7
- Main sources
- Only the Merelani Hills of Tanzania
Tanzanite facts
- Tanzanite is found in only one place on Earth: a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
- It was discovered in 1967 and named by Tiffany & Co. after its country of origin.
- It can look blue, violet or burgundy depending on the angle you view it from.
Birthstones by month
Frequently asked questions
What does tanzanite mean?
Tanzanite is associated with transformation, insight and calm.
What month is tanzanite the birthstone for?
Tanzanite is a birthstone for December. The other December birthstones are Turquoise and Zircon.
How hard is tanzanite?
Tanzanite rates 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).
Gemstone meanings are traditional beliefs, shared for interest rather than as proven properties.