Tanzanite – The Stone of Transformation

Tanzanite, with its spellbinding blue to violet hues, is a relatively new gemstone to the world, discovered only in the late 1960s in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, Africa. Its unique color, which can shift from sapphire blue to amethyst violet, makes it highly prized.

Etymology

Named after its only known source, Tanzania, “tanzanite” was coined by Tiffany & Co. in 1968. Before its commercial introduction, it was known locally as “blue zoisite,” named after the German mineralogist Johann Karl Wilhelm Zois von Edelstein.

Cultural Resonance: Literature

“Tanzanite: Born from Lightning” by Didier Brodbeck and Hayley Henning is an in-depth exploration of tanzanite, from its serendipitous discovery in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to its rise as a coveted gemstone. The authors weave a narrative that combines the geological birth of tanzanite with the human stories of those who discovered, mined, and traded it. The book details the cultural significance among the Maasai, the marketing brilliance of Tiffany & Co. that propelled tanzanite into the global spotlight, and the ongoing challenges and changes in the mining industry, including efforts to ensure sustainability and ethical practices. It’s illustrated with stunning images of tanzanite in jewelry by renowned designers, offering a visual feast alongside its informative content.

Mining restrictions on Tanzanite

Recent years have seen stringent restrictions placed on tanzanite mining due to concerns over illegal mining activities, smuggling, and the desire to preserve this rare gemstone’s supply. The Tanzanian government has introduced measures such as building a wall around the mining area to control access, enforcing export bans on unprocessed stones, and requiring all mining operations to be conducted in partnership with the state, aiming to curb exploitation and ensure that the benefits of this precious resource are retained within the country. These restrictions have significantly altered the landscape of tanzanite mining, focusing on sustainability and national economic benefits.

Stainless Steel | 18k PVD Gold Finish

Material Composition: The base material of these earrings includes high-grade stainless steel, commonly types 304 or 316L, known for excellent corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic qualities. Over this, an 18k Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) gold finish is applied, giving the appearance of real gold while enhancing durability.

Manufacturing Process:

• Material Selection: Opt for high-quality stainless steel for the base, which ensures longevity and resistance to tarnishing.
• PVD Coating Preparation: The stainless steel is cleaned and prepared for the PVD process to ensure adhesion of the gold layer.
• PVD Application: Gold atoms are vaporized in a vacuum chamber and deposited onto the steel in a process that bonds the gold at an atomic level, creating a hard, durable gold coating.
• Cutting & Shaping: After coating, the steel is cut and shaped into the desired forms, like fish/french hooks for earrings.
• Polishing & Finishing: The gold-coated steel is polished to enhance the finish’s luster and smoothness.
• Quality Control: Each piece is checked for uniformity of the gold layer, adherence to jewelry standards, and overall integrity.

Why They Don’t Oxidize

The stainless steel base forms a protective chromium oxide layer which prevents rust. The PVD gold coating adds another layer of protection, making the jewelry highly resistant to oxidation, even in humid or salty environments.

Magnetic Properties

Similar to plain stainless steel, the 18k PVD gold finish does not alter the magnetic properties significantly. The stainless steel might still have slight magnetic qualities based on its composition or processing, but this is not affected by the PVD layer.

Hypoallergenic Assurance

The gold PVD coating further seals the nickel content within the stainless steel, reducing the likelihood of skin reactions. This combination ensures that the earrings are suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies to base metals.

Stainless Steel | 18k PVD Gold Finish

Material Composition: The base material of these earrings includes high-grade stainless steel, commonly types 304 or 316L, known for excellent corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic qualities. Over this, an 18k Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) gold finish is applied, giving the appearance of real gold while enhancing durability.

Manufacturing Process:

• Material Selection: Opt for high-quality stainless steel for the base, which ensures longevity and resistance to tarnishing.
• PVD Coating Preparation: The stainless steel is cleaned and prepared for the PVD process to ensure adhesion of the gold layer.
• PVD Application: Gold atoms are vaporized in a vacuum chamber and deposited onto the steel in a process that bonds the gold at an atomic level, creating a hard, durable gold coating.
• Cutting & Shaping: After coating, the steel is cut and shaped into the desired forms, like fish/french hooks for earrings.
• Polishing & Finishing: The gold-coated steel is polished to enhance the finish’s luster and smoothness.
• Quality Control: Each piece is checked for uniformity of the gold layer, adherence to jewelry standards, and overall integrity.

Why They Don’t Oxidize

The stainless steel base forms a protective chromium oxide layer which prevents rust. The PVD gold coating adds another layer of protection, making the jewelry highly resistant to oxidation, even in humid or salty environments.

Magnetic Properties

Similar to plain stainless steel, the 18k PVD gold finish does not alter the magnetic properties significantly. The stainless steel might still have slight magnetic qualities based on its composition or processing, but this is not affected by the PVD layer.

Hypoallergenic Assurance

The gold PVD coating further seals the nickel content within the stainless steel, reducing the likelihood of skin reactions. This combination ensures that the earrings are suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies to base metals.