Isolde – Tanzanites & White Topaz

Tanzanite is the violet-blue to blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite. It is mined commercially in only one place, the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, which gives the gem its name.

Birthstone

December

Hardness

6–7 (Mohs)

Everyday wear

Tanzanite has fair to poor toughness and can split if knocked, so it is best in earrings and pendants or worn with care in rings.

Care

Clean with warm, soapy water only; ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never recommended. Avoid sudden temperature changes and high heat.

Meaning and tradition

Tanzanite was only discovered in 1967 and is the gem for 24th wedding anniversaries. In modern crystal lore, many people associate it with intuition, spiritual awareness and a calm, soothing presence.

Topaz has an exceptionally wide colour range, including colourless, blue, brown, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple. Colourless topaz is plentiful and is often treated to turn it blue.

Birthstone

November

Hardness

8 (Mohs)

Everyday wear

Topaz is hard but has a cleavage direction that can split with a hard knock, so protective settings help, and it is well suited to pendants and earrings.

Care

Clean with warm water and mild soap; avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners, high heat and sudden temperature changes. Coated topaz should never be cleaned with abrasives or on a buffing wheel.

Meaning and tradition

In folklore, the ancient Greeks believed topaz gave them strength, and in Renaissance Europe it was thought to break magic spells and dispel anger. In Indian tradition, wearing it above the heart was said to bring beauty and intelligence.