While diamonds are forever and nothing says “I love you” like one, let’s face it: they’re not exactly rare. If you’re in the market to give your loved one a gift as unique as they are, consider one of these four gemstones that are rarer than the diamond.
Tanzanite
Discovered in 1967 in the small East African country of Tanzania, the stone tanzanite is 1000 times more rare than a diamond. It is part of the mineral zoisite family and can only be found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Although most stones present a range of breathtaking violet to azure hues, tanzanite is pleochroic, meaning if you tilt it at just the right angle, it will show off its luscious shades of golden yellow, lilac, and peacock.
Because tanzanite is a single source gemstone and in such high demand for what is already in limited supply, the Tanzanite Foundation has announced that it won’t be long before there is no tanzanite left in the ground.
In 2002, it was declared the December birthstone. If you’re commemorating an anniversary, tanzanite is the choice for the 24th year.
Alexandrite
Often described as an “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite belongs to chrysoberyl, a mineral family that possesses the ability to change colors. Discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830, it was named after Czar Alexander because of its likeness to Russia’s imperial colors at that time which were red and green. Alexandrite’s ability to change colors derives from the trace amounts of chromium within its structure. Depending on the light under which alexandrite is viewed, this gem can vary from a turquoise green to bronzed eggplant. In recent years, it has become June’s birthstone and increased so much in popularity that it is often found in synthetic form in jewelry.
Paraíba Tourmaline
Renowned for its brightly saturated hues that come in a wide range from cobalt to teal, deep violet to magenta, paraíba tourmaline is derived from thin veins below the Earth’s surface and gets its variety in coloration from copper. Tourmaline is a rather young gem, as it was first discovered in Brazil in 1989, and more recently in Nigeria and Mozambique in the early 2000s. With the discovery of the stone in another place beside Paraiba, came the controversy of calling it by that name. In 2006 it was accepted that “paraiba tourmaline” refers to the variety name, regardless of its origin.
Jadeite/Jade
Although some people confuse jadeite with jade, they are actually quite different in their chemical, optical, and physical properties. Jadeite is one of two minerals that make up jade, with jadeite being rarer and more valuable than nephrite. Because of jadeite’s chemical makeup, it can appear in many different shades, including lavender, yellow, even black, but perhaps the most valuable is what is called “imperial green” and what many associate jade with. Known for its translucence and texture, jadeite can appear to be a stone full of water and, according to Chinese folklore, believed to bring good fortune and happiness.
Visit Sylvan’s Jewelers in Downtown Columbia to explore our selection of gemstones!