Miner finds rare tanzanite gemstones

A Tanzanian mining entrepreneur was rewarded with $3.35 million after miners at his operation in the east African country discovered the two largest tanzanite gemstones ever recorded. Tanzania is the only place in the world where tanzanite is found.

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About Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of the mineral zoisite (a calcium aluminium hydroxyl sorosilicate), caused by small amounts of vanadium.

Tanzanite belongs to the epidote mineral group.

Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania, in a very small mining area near the Mererani Hills. The gemstone is named after Tanzania, the country in which it was discovered.

Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately blue, violet and burgundy depending on crystal orientation.

About Tanzania

Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas.

Tanzania is mountainous and densely forested in the north-east, where Mount Kilimanjaro is located. Three of Africa’s Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania.

The county includes the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain.

Offshore lie the tropical islands of Zanzibar, with Arabic influences, and Mafia, with a marine park home to whale sharks and coral reefs.