Tanzanite is a member of the Zoisite family of minerals. The name for the gemstone known as Tanzanite is taken from it’s place of origin, the country of Tanzania. Tanzanite is an exotic, vivid blue, kissed by purple hues. Legend has it that tanzanite was first discovered Masai herders driving cattle noticed the beautiful blue color and picked the crystals up. Tanzanite has the beauty, rarity and durability to rival any gemstone and has become quite popular. In fact Tanzanite is so popular it has the honor of being the first gem added to the birthstone list (December) since 1912 by the American Gem Trade Association.