Tanzanite is found exclusively, as the name suggests, in Tanzania at the foot of the Mirerani Hills about 25miles South East of Arusha. The stone has an unmistakeable, unique, bright blue violet shade and is an incredibly rare stone. It is also quite fragile, but for that colour, we'll forgive her!

Whilst staying with a family friend in Arusha, Tessa travelled to a stone market to see this name sake mineral in her natural habitat. Here she couldn't help but collect a few tanzanite crystals and she's been dreaming up designs to make with them ever since. The large rough piece in the photo is one of these treasures she brought back.

Colour: Blue/violet/purple

Mohs scale: 6.5

Crystal Formation: Orthorhombic

Country of origin: Tanzania