Tanzanite Meaning: Healing Properties, Uses, & Benefits

Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite. It is also known as blue zoisite but was renamed by Tiffany & Co jewelers as Tanzanite.  It is a member of the silicate family and is a calcium aluminium silicate stone. Its color ranges from violet-blue to deep blue and it scores a 6-7 on the Moh's hardness scale. Tanzanite is known as the gemstone of transformation. 

Shimmering in soft shades of beautiful blue and with mesmerizing mystical energy, Tanzanite is a rare and precious gem that helps us to kick out old patterns and helps us to manifest our powers for the higher good. If Tanzanite doesn’t tantalize your soul, check out our healing crystal guide to essential gems and find a stone that calls to you.

The Gemstone of Transformation

Be dazzled by the violet hues of Tanzanite. Mined from the mirage of colors that make up the Merelani Hills that sit at the base of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, this rare gem was first discovered back in the late ’60s. It was stumbled upon by Manuel d'souza who at first glance at the deep blue stones thought he had found a wealth of sparkling sapphires. Instead of the supposed sapphire, he had discovered a deep blue zoisite stone.

Tanzanite actually achieves its hue through heat treatment. According to local legend, this was only discovered by a seeming cosmic event that changed the fate and fortune of the previously overlooked Tanzanite stone. The stone that naturally appears as a smooth brown pebble scattered the floor of the volcanic basin of Merlani. Until one day lightning struck and caused a bushfire to fan the area with flames. After the smoke had cleared, a Masai herder was out grazing cattle and saw a gemstone sparkling in the sun.

This stone snagged the attention of the famous New York ‘Tiffany & Co’ jewelers who decided to rename the rare gem and introduce it to the American and European markets. 

The discovery of Tanzanite was believed to be one of the most exciting events of the 20th century for gem lovers. The stone certainly captured hearts with its indigo hues, its strength and soul, and above everything - its rarity. But despite the rarity of this scarce stone, its newness and the excitement it roused caused everyone to forget to correctly price it per carat. This means that the cost of Tanzanite can vary. 

Tiffany & Co declared Tanzanite one of the most beautiful stones to ever be discovered. One glance at Tanzanite and it's hard to argue. The gemstone has a trichroic structure, meaning that it changes color with every slant of sunlight. It can soften into violet and indigo or deepen into the darkest richest hues of blue. Along with its beauty, it also comes with a ripe array of healing benefits and big vibrational energy. It is full of composure and harmony and helps us to slow down, get still, and dissolve old thoughts and patterns that weigh us down like anchors. 

Tanzanite benefits 

Mystery and majesty sit at the heart of the Tanzanite stone. Thanks to high vibrations and high energy, this gem can bring you into a sense of deep meditation and divine healing. Tanzanite not only helps us to find our sweet inner calm and clears out old patterns, but it also sets us up to open our minds and our hearts to any psychic abilities we have. Connecting with the universe and nurturing clairvoyant and cosmic possibilities helps us to recover and rekindle our own power. Take a look at all the ways that Tanzanite can stimulate joy, balance, and higher purpose. 

Physical healing

Tanzanite is an awesome immune booster. This gemstone encourages regeneration meaning that skin, hair, and cells can all find their perfect flush of health once more. The soft indigo gem is also a good stone to have close by if you are recovering from an illness or medical procedure. The gorgeous violet light gem infuses you with strength and also helps the body detox and can be used as a talisman or amulet for those who are trying to overcome dependency issues on alcohol or anything else. Finally, thanks to that gentle serene joy, Tanzanite can help with issues of stress, nerves, migraines, and other tension related issues.

Emotional healing 

Feed your soul all the pleasure that you deserve and let the Tanzanite stone shine down its love on you. This beautiful radiant gemstone is all about letting worries melt away. It does this by reminding us that we can be drivers in our own lives and that we aren’t powerless when it comes to the choices we make. It instils a quiet sense of ownership and confidence - one that doesn’t have to be big and showy but can be authentic, centered, and heart connected. With all of this, it also helps us to overcome fear, let go of worries we may have been clutching to the chest, and moves us through the idea of crisis with ease. 

Metaphysical 

The metaphysical is where the Tanzanite stone truly shines. As a deep indigo and blue gem, Tanzanite is connected to the third eye chakra and the throat chakra too. It’s always a sign of big healing when a stone works closely to both of these chakras. The throat chakra is the seat of our intimate truth and how we communicate our authentic selves to the outside world. When we have a clear line of energy running from our heart to our throat and to the third eye, it keeps us from shying away from who we are and helps us to live in the light of the self. The third eye is another incredibly important chakra and is the gateway to our well of inner wisdom. When open, we are able to trust that we have the answers and to give ourselves over to any psychic abilities we may have been pushing down in the past. 

Zodiac properties 

Check out our Sagittarius Zodiac Pack

Whispering with the fierce beauty and raw power of winter winds and velvet clear solstice skies, the Tanzanite gemstone is a December birthstone. Suited beautifully to all those born under the banner of Sagittarius, Tanzanite can help those centaur types to let their strengths shine and to overcome any areas that may be holding them back. Sagittarians are loyal, kind, and highly intelligent beings and Tanzanite keeps all of the above ticking nicely. This stone ensures that they stay open-hearted, generous, thoughtful, and connected to their own internal desires and dreams. Sagittarians find huge value in living their truth and Tanzanite makes sure that they continue to follow the threads of their truth so they can always find their way home to the body.  

How to use Tanzanite Stones 

Tiffany & Co saw huge value in the Tanzanite stone being used in jewelry and for good reason. While the NY jewelry store may have been simply interested in inspiring people to buy a beautiful gemstone, ancient lore tells us that having crystals as jewelry is a great way of tapping into their fullest and most unique power. But there are other ways to use the Tanzanite stone, you can welcome it into your home, your office, or into any of your clairvoyant or healing practices. Here’s how you can get the best from the Tanzanite gem...

Jewelry 

As mentioned, one of the best ways to celebrate crystals and all their healing energy is to wear them as jewelry. Healing stones against the skin means there is nothing that gets in the way and interrupts the flow of vibrational energy. It makes sure that the healing vibes can go exactly where they are needed. Wearing Tanzanite as a pendant can encourage the stone to stay in close contact with the throat and clear any blockages that can build up in this area. A pair of Tanzanite earrings will also rouse the third eye chakra and keep you connected to your own inner wisdom. Wearing a Tanzanite bracelet helps the gem pressed against the pulse, which will send rippling vibrations of intention and healing across the whole body. 

For those who want to pair their Tanzanite stone with other gemstones that work in blissful harmony, there are plenty of beautiful choices out there. Amethyst is an amazing partner for Tanzanite and completes that whole higher chakra block. Amethyst shares the serenity of Tanzanite and with its crown chakra cleansing vibes, it also makes sure that you are forever nurturing your higher consciousness and that your truth is linked to the cosmic bigger picture. On a physical level, Amethyst also supports healing the body, balancing the nerves, and making sure you aren’t weighed down by worry, migraines, or lack of sleep.

Tourmaline is another good gem for Tanzanite. As a protective and grounding stone, Tourmaline can make sure that you stay safe and have one foot on the floor even when accessing higher spirit work. It also has creative and joyful elements which can strengthen the sense of happiness that Tanzanite builds within us. Garnet is a gorgeous pairing for Tanzanite too. It’s a gem that offers glowing guidance along with warmth and nurturing. Aquamarine will also work wonders with a Tanzanite stone as it helps open the throat chakra and encourages flow, trust, and the ability to let go. 

Home & office 

Tanzanite brims with the beauty of water energy and this brings peace, clarity and flow into your world. In Feng Shui practice, you can place the Tanzanite stone in any space that needs peace, stillness, and reflective prayer and thought. It’s a great stone to place in any workspace or office as it encourages communication and communion. Tanzanite is a violet fire stone too which means that it activates fire energy. It brings warmth, illumination, and a brightness that is utterly enchanting. While it has water energy in Feng Shui, the violet rays stimulate big fire energy. This yang energy is active and helps you to achieve all your bliss and more without falling into passivity. 

You can also use Tanzanite in any kind of spiritual work as it's a cosmic gemstone. Tanzanite can be a great amulet to have close by whenever you are working with angel or tarot cards, whenever you are dowsing or future seeking when unraveling dreamwork or journaling, and of course as part of your Reiki or crystal grid practice. It’s a stone of deep meditation which also makes it a good gem to have around when you want to slip into prayer.

How to Cleanse Tanzanite Stones 

Keeping your precious Tanzanite cleansed and charged is the best way to make the most of that violet flame magic. Like all crystals, Tanzanite can cloud over or become heavy or stagnant when it has been involved in big energy work. You can shake all that stacked up energy loose and get your crystal pack to the pinnacle of its power with a simple cleansing ritual. One of the best ways to cleanse Tanzanite is to run it under tepid water. As a water stone in some ways itself, it reacts very well to water. A soft brush can also work if you feel like it needs an extra dose of energy clearing. 

There are other ways to cleanse and charge up your Tanzanite and here are a few that we adore…

• Smudge your Tanzanite stone with sage or any other energetic smudge stick
• Place your Tanzanite in the light of the full moon
• Bury your Tanzanite in soil or place it in a pot with a plant to let the earth regenerate it
• Keep your Tanzanite in good company with cleansing crystals such as Clear Quartz

Geological Properties

Final Thoughts 

Tanzanite is a powerful and positive stone. It has big work to do but it isn’t interested in making you carry a heavy load while doing that work. Instead, Tanzanite wants you to become lighter, softer, and more attuned to who you are. When we walk in the sparkling rays of truth, when our wisdom holds us in place, and when we stay surrounded in sweet and calm joy, we can achieve amazing things. 

What are your thoughts on Tanzanite? Do you agree with Tiffany & Co that it's the most beautiful gem of the 20th century or is there another violet flame stone that speaks to your heart? Share all your thoughts in the comments.