Tanzanite is one of the newest, most fascinating gemstones on today's market. Its name recalls the country, Tanzania, where gem crystals were originally discovered in the Merelani Hills during the late 1960s. A variety of the mineral zoisite, Tanzanite's primary color is blue. Many of these gemstones exhibit a mesmerizing combination of blue and violet in a scintillating play of light refraction. Generally Tanzanite is bluer in daylight and more violet in incandescent light. Its fantastic hues range from soft paste lilac through violet-blue, into richly vivid cornflower shades.