Tanzanite
A highlight of my Arusha trip was visiting the Tanzanite Museum.
The big stones have a deep violet colour within the blue, and hues of burgundy in the right light.
I could look at them all day, turning them over in my hand. Looking at a deep, variegated colours has the same sort of effect as watching the landscape shift in a train or bus.
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The only other stone that is rarer is Tsavorite, but it can be found in three countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar — because they all used to be one). Tanzanite however can only be found in the Mererani mines.
The documentary at the museum showcased ‘ethical mining’ although the footage showed some gemologists underground who didn’t have gloves or helmets; it looked like gruelling, risky work. The documentary was trying to be diplomatic about it, but basically Tiffany’s ‘exposed’ the stone by taking it to market, despite the chief gemologist wanting to keep it a secret to give them more time to understand supply and the stone’s properties. Tiffany’s also named it Tanzanite, which is another example of big corporations being the modern day colonisers.
It seems like a popular local investment — almost everyone I spoke to said they had some, and are holding onto it for another ten years when it’s completely mined and the secondary market kicks in.
If this article seemed shit it’s because I’m tired of this whole thing. I am TIRED. I am OUT OF IDEAS. I am tired of sharing.
