Tanzanite Earrings Handcrafted Sparkling Purple-Blue Kilimanjaro Tanzania Africa

Description

Two Excellent Quality Genuine Natural Faceted Periwinkle Purple-Blue Round Cut Faceted Tanzanite Precious Gemstones.
Set into High Quality Solid 14kt Gold “Rose Blossom” Style Ear Studs.
CLASSIFICATION:
Two Round Cut Faceted Handcrafted Tanzanites. Mounted into contemporary high quality 14kt gold studs.
ORIGIN:
Tanzania, late 1970’s. Hand cut and faceted in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
SIZE
: Diameter: 4mm. Depth: 2mm. All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT
: 0.65 carats (the pair).
NOTE
:
These earring settings are also available in 14kt gold fill (5% gold over 95% silver) as well as in sterling silver. If you prefer, upon request, other setting styles are available such as french hooks, lever backs, euro clicks, kidney wires, ball/stud dangles, etc., as are sterling silver or 14kt gold fill settings.
DETAIL:
Tanzanite is a rather rare semi-precious gemstone, found in commercial qualities and quantities only at a single mine in the Merelani Hills in the shadow of Tanzania’s Mount Kilamanjaro. Geologists say that the best estimate is that the mine will be exhausted within the next 15-20 years, and it is believed extremely unlikely that significant deposits exist elsewhere on earth. Since its introduction in 1969, tanzanite has become one of the the most popular gemstones in the world after diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Here are two very pretty purple-blue tanzanites from Tanzania hand faceted into these beautiful round cut gemstones.
Given the enormous demand for this gemstone in the past several decades, reasonably good specimens are hard to find. While these are not absolutely flawless specimens, they are very nice and are clean to the eye. Of course in the accompanying photo enlargements it is possible to discern a few blemishes composed of colorless crystalline material, quite characteristic of natural tanzanite, nonetheless to casual scrutiny they are seemingly without blemish. The gemstones were hand crafted and faceted by a Russian artisan, part of a centuries-old heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia.
The earring settings are of contemporary origin. They are high quality settings manufactured by one of the USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers. They are constructed of solid 14kt gold. If you prefer, we could reset them into simple posts, fancy studs, french hooks, lever backs, euro clicks, kidney wires, ball-stud dangles, upon request if you prefer something other than these rose-motif studs; and if you prefer a more affordable alternative, then 14kt gold fill 95% gold over 95% silver) or sterling silver earring settings are also available in an equally wide variety of styles.
As might be expected under magnification the gemstones show the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the handcrafted finish is considered appealing to most gemstone aficionados, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of such gemstones. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, many believe that such hand-crafted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today’s mass-produced, laser-cut gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of a handcrafted gemstones such as these is the cultural legacy passed onwards by artisans who lived centuries ago.
Handcrafted though they may be these gemstones possess great luster and sparkle, and are absolutely transparent, but they are not entirely flawless. True, the blemishes they possess are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and to use trade jargon the gemstones can be characterized as “eye clean”. However magnified as they here there are few very tiny internal blemishes, not noticeable with the naked eye, but discernible in the accompanying photo enlargements. However the gemstones do possess the gorgeous periwinkle tones that have caused such a craze amongst gemstone aficionados. Notwithstanding the minute internal blemishes they are transparent and given that a characteristic of natural tanzanite are just such minute internal blemishes composed of colorless crystalline material, they are good quality tanzanite.
With respect to these minute blemishes, of course much the same may said about almost any gemstones of natural origin. An absolutely flawless gemstone simply is not the rule in nature. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be revealed to be synthetic. You might also notice under magnification occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally these characteristics are absolutely to be expected with hand-finished gemstones. However for most, the unique nature and character of handcrafted gemstones such as these more than makes up for minute internal, cutting or faceting blemishes, which by and large of course, are (if at all) only visible under high magnification.
HISTORY OF TANZANITE:
The 1960’s saw the discovery of many new gemstone varieties in East Africa. It seems likely that the most significant of these discoveries was the discovery of Tanzanite in 1967 by Portuguese-Indian prospector (originally from Goa, India) Manuel d’Souza in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, in the shadow of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. This breathtaking location is the only known mining site on earth for the exotic gemstone which would come to be named “tanzanite”. The stone was so named after its country of origin by Tiffany & Co. in New York, which introduced the gemstone to the marketplace in 1969. Tanzanite is the blue to violet gem variety of the mineral zoisite, the color provided by traces of vanadium. No gemstone discovered in East Africa has had more of an impact on the world gemstone market than tanzanite.
By the turn of the century, only a few decades after from its introduction, tanzanite had become one of the most popular gemstones in the world today after the “big four” (diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald). Acute shortages have developed from time-to-time, as there is really but one source of this exotic gemstone. Very small deposits have been found in Kenya, but until recently were not considered large enough for commercial purposes. With the insatiable demand for and short supplies of tanzanite, even these small deposits are now being mined and have even been the source of armed disputes. But they contribute insignificant amounts of material compared to the demand for this rare gemstone. New mining techniques and the liberalization of the Tanzanian economy has helped to boost production in the past few years to make tanzanite more available than ever before in the history of the gemstone.
Nonetheless tanzanite remains relatively rare, significant production coming from only one place in the world. Geologists estimate that the entire present source of tanzanite will be exhausted within the next fifteen to twenty years. Geologists say the chemical environment required to form tanzanite is so unique, chances of finding the same conditions elsewhere are next to impossible, the odds of discovering another tanzanite deposit is put at less than one in a million. The rich purples and blues of tanzanite often have a depth comparable to the finest sapphire. Paler tanzanite has a delicate periwinkle color. Tanzanite is occasionally found in green and less often yellow. Tanzanite is trichroic; that is, it shows different colors when viewed in different directions. One direction is blue, another purple, and another bronze, adding subtle depths to the color. When tanzanite is found in the ground, the bronze color dominates.
However, with gentle heating, the blue color blooms and deepens within the stone. Tanzanite can also appear differently when viewed under alternate lighting conditions. The blues appear more evident when subjected to fluorescent light, and the violet hues can be seen readily when viewed under incandescent light. According to legend, the affect of heat on tanzanite was first discovered when some brown zoisite crystals lying on the ground among other rocks were caught in a fire started by lightning that swept through the grass-covered Merelani Hills. Masai cattle herders in the area noticed the beautiful blue color of the crystals and picked them up, becoming the first tanzanite collectors. The most valuable tanzanite is medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet-blue. Some people desire the more purplish to violet Tanzanite shades which are more available and affordable.
Rarely pure blue, the gem almost always displays signature overtones of purple. In smaller sizes, it tends toward lighter tones, with lavender the most common. In larger sizes, the gem typically displays deeper, richer blues and purples. It is this mesmerizing saturation of color that has made tanzanite so sought after. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Tanzanite delivers. If you can appreciate a gem that is unique, less known, and rare, since it is found commercially in only one place, tanzanite is the colored gem for you. Ranging in color from a “sapphire blue” to an “amethyst purple”, this very special member of the gem family delights its owner, and provides a great conversation piece with friends. A notable 122.7-carat faceted stone is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the “Papyrus Ebers” offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. Tanzanite was unknown in the ancient world, however contemporary practitioners believe that tanzanite can encourage recovery from severe illness or stress. It is believed to be a detoxifier, to strengthen the immune system, regenerates cells, and treat ailments of the heart, spleen, pancreas, lungs, head, throat, and chest.
Tanzanite is also is believed to neutralize over acidification, reduce inflammation, stimulates fertility, and heal diseases of the reproductive organs. On the metaphysical plane, tanzanite is said to facilitate raising consciousness, aid in realizing one’s own ideas, and transform destructive urges into constructive ones. The gemstone is said to encourage awareness of the comparison between how one lives and how one could choose to live more consciously. Bringing together communication and psychic power, tanzanite is believed to aid the wearer connect with their clairvoyant powers and stimulate their ability to see visions of higher spiritual realms and to accurately communicate them. Tanzanite is said to open channels to the spiritual world of ancient tribal communities, and to elicit revelations of the primeval collective consciousness.
On a more practical level, tanzanite is said to dispel lethargy and bring repressed feelings to the surface so that they can be expressed. It is believed to help enable the wearer to transform negative energies into positive ones, and assist the wearer in manifesting their own true self rather than being influenced by others or trying to conform to the norm. If you’d like to learn more about tanzanite, there was an exceptionally good article in Time Magazine in 2007 which can be viewed
here
.
SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS
:  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.
If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less non-refundable PayPal/eBay payment processing fees.  Please note that PayPal does NOT refund fees. Even if you “accidentally” purchase something and then cancel the purchase before it is shipped, PayPal will not refund their fees. So all refunds for any reason, without exception, do not include PayPal/eBay payment processing fees (typically between 3% and 5%) and shipping/insurance costs (if any). If you’re unhappy with PayPal and eBay’s “no fee refund” policy, and we are EXTREMELY unhappy, please voice your displeasure by contacting PayPal and/or eBay. We have no ability to influence, modify or waive PayPal or eBay policies.
ABOUT US
: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Europe and Central Asia several times a year. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient jewelry and gemstones. Prior to our retirement we traveled to Russia every year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for.
My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset.  Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting.
Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill.  When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.