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Tanzanite Keeps The

Wave Moving Across India A peacock with tanzanites and slices By Preeta Agarwal created by Bina Goenka.

uby, and blue are recognized The Popularity any astrological effects so they work as the three main stones in the world of Tanzanites very well with Indian consumers when and can be found at almost every jewelry shop The vacuum for a deep blue being paired with and around the globe. But when it comes to Indian in the gemstone family in India has combinations of other .” jewelry, the preferences in gemstones take a different been filled by tanzanite. Discovered A gemstone that started out as a Rroute. Indian jewelry is mostly full of and emeralds. Not in a four square kilometer area of the substitute for blue sapphires, has now because Indians don’t like blue sapphires or because a blue Merelani Hills of , East Africa in created an identity for itself in India. gemstone doesn’t suit traditional attire, but mainly due to 1967 and promoted by Tiffany & Co., this Jewelers across the country now stock strong astrological reasons that mar the sales of this gorgeous blue gem was named after the only place various collections featuring tanzanite and House of Rose’s kundan polki necklace with deep blue beauty. in the world where it is found – Tanzania. in combination with other gemstones, emeralds and tanzanite Although discovered in the late making it one of the most tumbled drops crafted in 22K yellow . The Science Behind Blue Sapphires 1960s, gemstone production trending gemstones in India Astrology has deep roots in the Indian belief was held back due to and a strong competitor Tanzanite, diamond system, and certain gemstones work as solutions to government orders and to emeralds and rubies. and from astrologically predicted problems. Of all the gemstones it is only in the second With a 6.5 mark on the Ghanasingh Be True. that are advised for wearing, blue sapphires – also decade of the 21st century Mohs scale, tanzanite can known as Neelam – have the most extreme effects. that it has become popular. be carved. Jaipur, India’s The results can be good or bad, depending on Intense geological colored gemstones center, the position of Saturn (the ruler of ) in research has shown Tanzanite’s is full of pretty tanzanite carved one’s birth chart. One of the strongest and the geology to be unique and that the leaves, flowers and Mughal inspired fastest acting gemstones, blue sapphire is seen chances of it occurring outside the amulets. Every season provides new as being able to fulfill all the dreams of the wearer current production area is less than a million to one and that mesmerizing renditions of these designs. but, adversely, can even turn a king into a pauper. the world’s supply of tanzanite will be totally exhausted within Its chameleon personality helps tanzanite look good when It is recommended to carry out a test run by keeping a the next decade or so. Tanzanite is approximately a third of set in white as well as rose and yellow gold, and in particular with blue sapphire under the pillow for a the price of sapphires. the gentle rose gold that is also a strong trend in India currently. week, and if bad dreams or small Tanzanite comes in inky blue to violet shades with purplish A multi-use gemstone, tanzanite goes well in combination incidents happen then the overtones and also shows differing tonalities when viewed in with most gemstones like , emeralds, rubies, shades of stone is probably not right for different directions due to . This deep blue sapphires and other blue gemstones. Farah Khan in particular that person. Thus, customers are color, availability of large sizes and affordable prices make it has paired tanzanite with an entire array of colored gemstones hesitant in buying blue sapphire the closest possible replacement gemstone to blue sapphires. that line the display windows of her Mumbai boutique. jewelry leading to less demand Thus it has become an overnight success in India among The stunning blue- chemistry makes and and, consequently, supply. jewelry designers and customers wanting a blue gemstone to tanzanite combinations one of the fastest sellers – from kundan match their blue outfits. Because of its international popularity, polki to large diamond chandeliers and cocktail tanzanite was added as the December list in 2004. rings. Pastel shades in pink, green and blue are the new trends Leading Indian designer Farah Khan agreed, saying, in bridal attire in India and when clubbed with this striking blue Yellow gold set with uncut diamond chaandbalis “Tanzanites are beautiful blue substitutes for sapphires to be gemstone jewelry, they add an extra contrast and sparkle to (moon shaped earrings) used in jewelry; even more so because they do not have the whole attire. with tanzanite bead drops from The House of Rose.

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“Though the properties of blue sapphire make it a ‘gem Traditional-style yellow gold of gems’, tanzanites are gaining popularity because of their earrings with closeness in shade to more expensive blue sapphires for which created by Amrapali. they can act as a substitute,” commented Sanjay Jagwani of Notandas Jewellers in Mumbai.

The Blue Spectrum The gamut of blue gemstones is also filled by lighter and more vibrant like , blue , aquamarines and lapis lazuli. These gemstones were previously only used in jewelry, but these blue gemstones are now enjoying the company of diamonds. While Ganjam’s Turquoise Star necklace and Riverdance collection uses high-quality turquoise and aquamarines giving a new dimension to jewelry design, Farah Khan Earrings set with gives them emphasis by adding small rubies and rubellite accented with diamonds by Farah Khan.

A one-of-a-kind 44.18- Paraiba surrounded by diamonds in a by Farah Khan.

Aquamarine and diamond earrings from Velvetcase.com. or emerald elements, giving a new accent to these watery gemstones. Deep blue and opaque lapiz lazuli with its gold shimmer in particular looks very good when paired with yellow A star necklace made by Ganjam with gold for Indian motifs like the Amrapali earrings. turquoise cabochons, While Iolite and kyanite are two more gorgeous deep diamonds and pearls. blue gemstones that could be used in Indian jewelry, their low popularity makes jewelers reluctant to stock them. But they are surely next in line waiting to be discovered and marketed as tanzanite was previously. Another hot-selling blue gemstone is the Paraiba discovered in the 1980s in the Brazilian state of Paraiba. This electric swimming pool blue gemstone has topped all international gemstone charts from bestseller to most expensive gemstone. Its magnificence has slowly started to appeal to Indian jewelers. While very few jewelers are currently bringing

Farah Khan’s cupid Paraiba to India, we hope that soon we will see it gracing handcrafted with blue topaz, traditional Indian motifs. rubelites and diamonds.

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