Alluring Tanzanite!

“The rings were the hit of the season. They fit. They look beautiful. My daughters knew they were being made but were still surprised and pleased to find them in their stockings. Thanks so much.” — Marianne G. (left two rings)

“They both said,  ‘This is exactly how I wanted it to be!’ And wept. Thank you for a lovely Christmas gift that will be with them always.” — Annie P. (two rings on right)

An unusual thing happened last fall at Elaina Designs. Two mothers who did not know each other, wanted me to design rings for their two daughters using tanzanites acquired on recent trips to Tanzania. I designed with the four young women, each of whom wanted something totally unique and suited to their personalities.  We utilized credit from their melted gold and integrated old diamonds from one of their grandmothers. These designs brought me great joy and illustrates our ability to accommodate varied styles and budgets and demonstrates the possibilities that lie in loose gemstones and old jewelry.Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite (a calcium aluminium hydroxy silicate) discovered in the Mererani Hills of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. Naturally-formed tanzanite is extremely rare, still found only in the Mererani Hills. The mineral was named by Tiffany & Co. after Tanzania, the country in which it was discovered. In 2002, the American Gem Trade Association chose Tanzanite as a December birthstone, the first change to their birthstone list since 1912.I’ll be at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show February 1-7 in search of gems & pearls. Contact me by phone or email at (678) 662-6156 or lp@elainadesigns.com if you are interested in something special.

Blessings– Lainey