By Daisy Tinker
TanzaniteOne, the world's largest and most modern miner of ethical tanzanite, has launched its first online boutique.
Historically, the company has only sold its vivid blue stones to eight select companies, but now consumers around the world will be able to purchase the company's ethically produced stones online, as well as tanzanite-set gold jewellery.
Originally discovered by a Masai tribesman in 1967, tanzanite has become well loved by a number of prestigious jewellers. Tiffany & Co christened the stone after its country of origin and introduced the vibrant gem to the world in 1968, just one year after it was first discovered.
Found only at the foothills of Mount Killamanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, Tanzanite is one of the rarest gemstones on earth. The blue-violet stone is estimated to be 1,000 times rarer than diamond. The rarity of the stone will only increase in future as the area mined by TanzaniteOne measures just 17 square kilometres and is expected to be exhausted in as little as 30 years.
All TanzaniteOne's online pieces come with the Tanzanite Foundation's Mark of Rarity and a TanzaniteOne certificate of Authenticity and Origin, guarenteeing the stone's ethical status, authenticity and conflict-free origin. The online boutiqe is also a member of the World Responsible Jewellery Council.
Says Linda Kennedy of TanzaniteOne's new online boutique: "Our involvement in every step of our tanzanite's journey is absolutely unique and allows us to guarantee that it is ethically mined and authentic. This gives buyers peace of mind that all the people involved in producing our gemstones have benefited from their involvement in the process. We know this is increasingly important to the socially conscious consumer."
