TANZANITE · Tanzania
The Kilimanjaro Eye
A trichroic violet from the shadow of Africa's great peak
Visualisation Gallery
Raw form
Cut potential
Ring setting
Pendant setting
Prototype visualisations — photography to be added at production launch.
Stone Profile
Origin
Northern Tanzania, Tanzania
Weight
8.3ct raw / ~5.2ct cut potential
Extracted
2023
Colour
Deep violet-blue with trichroic blue, violet and burgundy flash
Passport
PASS-TZ-001-2024
Mine / Cooperative
Tanzanian artisanal mining cooperative (confirmed privately)
The Origin Story
Buried beneath 400 metres of fractured gneiss at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, this crystal spent 585 million years forming in near-total silence. It was pulled into light by a small cooperative of artisan miners on a Tuesday morning in October 2023.
Hand-extracted from a narrow ore-bearing seam in Block D of the Merelani Hills. The cooperative uses manual tools to avoid fracturing the surrounding crystal formation.
Geological Note
Tanzanite forms exclusively in a 7km strip of the Merelani Hills. The mineral requires a unique combination of Mozambique Belt geology and vanadium impurities. It is estimated that no more than 30 years of commercial reserves remain.
The Landscape
The Merelani Hills rise from semi-arid scrubland in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Below it, the earth holds one of the rarest mineral deposits on the planet.
Why This Stone Was Selected
Selected for its exceptional trichroic depth — shifting from deep midnight blue in daylight to rich violet under incandescent light.
Selected by: Atelier founder
Rarity Note
Tanzanite is found in one location on earth. Remaining commercial deposits may be exhausted within a generation.
Ethical Sourcing
Sourced from a small-scale mining cooperative under ethical sourcing guidelines. Full chain-of-custody documentation to be added when supplier verification is complete.
The Journey
Formed in the Earth
2023-10-14Merelani Block D, Tanzania · Baraka (artisan miner)
Buried beneath 400 metres of fractured gneiss at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, this crystal spent 585 million years forming in near-total silence. It was pulled into light by a small cooperative of artisan miners on a Tuesday morning in October 2023.
⚠ Verification pending — placeholder data
Discovered / Responsibly Sourced
2023-10-15Arusha, Tanzania · Cooperative assessor
Hand-extracted from a narrow ore-bearing seam in Block D of the Merelani Hills. The cooperative uses manual tools to avoid fracturing the surrounding crystal formation.
⚠ Verification pending — placeholder data
Selected for Character
2023-11-03Arusha gem market · Atelier buyer
Selected for its exceptional trichroic depth — shifting from deep midnight blue in daylight to rich violet under incandescent light.
⚠ Verification pending — placeholder data
Raw, Polished, or Cut
2024-01-10Atelier · Gemologist
At 8.3ct rough, the crystal can yield a 4–5ct oval, cushion or pear brilliant displaying exceptional vivid blue-violet colour.
⚠ Verification pending — placeholder data
Designed into Your Jewel
2024-03-01Online atelier · System
⚠ Verification pending — placeholder data
Delivered with Stone Passport
Disclaimer: Prototype origin story — to be replaced with verified supplier data and official mine certificates.
Raw or Refined
Choose the transformation
This material can stay raw — exactly as it left the earth — or be transformed through cutting, polishing and setting. The choice is yours.
Keep Raw / Natural
Stone in its natural found state. No cutting or polishing. Maximum origin character.
Pricing confirmed privately
Certificate Status
Full GIA / IGI certification and mine documentation to be attached when supplier verification is complete.
Available transformations
Chain of Custody
+2 more events — see passport