“Kilimanjaro is a snow-covered mountain 19,710 feet high, and is said to be the highest mountain in Africa. Its western summit is called the Masai 'Ngaje Ngai', the House of God. Close to the western summit there is a dried and frozen carcass of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.”
― Ernest Hemingway, The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories
It wasn’t just the great late Hemingway who was enamoured with Kilimanjaro. It is an enormous, soaring mystery that delights the eye and humbles the senses.
Situated in Tanzania, standing at 19,741 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, formed of three volcanic cones, Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo. While the former two are inactive, Kibo is dormant - meaning it could erupt at any time. Underneath this enthralling landscape, enormous pressure stews to create one of mankind’s greatest desires. That is, gemstones of course!
It’s no coincidence that diamonds and other precious gems are found in these highly active (or once active) volcanic regions. Beautiful, lush, and exotic, these areas of volcanic activity have incredibly fertile soil, due to the breakdown of various minerals. Forced to the surface under immense pressure and heat, is the natural gemstone wonder of tanzanite.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Not only is tanzanite desirable for its appearance, but, since tanzanite hails from the deepest parts of our planet, it boasts an allure that resonates far and wide. Tanzanite represents a force that is truly larger than life.
Tanzanite was first discovered in the late 1960s, and was described at the time as ‘the most important gemstone discovery in 2000 years’. According to its creation story, Masai cattle herders in the region first saw the gemstone after a widespread fire, caused by a fierce bolt of lightning. The fire, consuming the land, transformed the existing crystals into the deep, mesmerising blue gemstone we know today. The herders shared their find with Manuel de Souza, a prospector who was on the hunt for rubies. Initially, de Souza mistook the stones for sapphires - however, testing soon revealed the excitement of a new discovery.
Raw Tanzanite
So, what is Tanzanite exactly?
More vibrant a blue than sapphires, tanzanite is truly diverse, right through to its makeup. The stone can come in a range of hues, shades, and tones, from blueish-lilac and violet to the deepest ocean indigo. This is due to the blue, violet, and burgundy colour variation within the stone - which is referred to as trichroic. Kaleidoscopic and with the variegated mix of a peacock's plumage, this is one spectacular stone!
What makes tanzanite desirable to collectors and jewellery lovers alike is its complete exclusivity. Naturally formed tanzanite is extremely rare - often considered 1000 times rarer than diamonds. This is due to the fact that there is only one seam in existence, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Northern Tanzania. The single deposit is a reef about 5 km long, and is estimated to be depleted within the decade.
The Tanzanite Foundation has stated that intense geological research has shown that Tanzania’s geology is unique. As such, the chance of tanzanite existing outside the current production area is less than a million to one. With those odds, you can understand why tanzanite is such a highly desirable gemstone!
This is more than an investment, it is a once-in-a-lifetime-only harvest.
For these reasons, we are delighted to have our very own range of tanzanite jewellery, exclusive to Gerard McCabe. Fittingly named the Kilimanjaro Collection, ours is a carefully curated selection of earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Each stone has been hand-picked by Justin McCabe, in a collection designed for those who are wild at heart, and for those who believe beauty and adventure are synonymous with elegance. Tanzanite really does fire up the heart in a way that is difficult to describe. Tanzanite holds a fierce fascination for us all at Gerard McCabe.
Margaret, from our Rundle Mall store, has a particular soft spot for Tanzanite:
“It is so beautiful - it’s my favourite gemstone. It has that beautiful purple under hue and the shots of red that come through the stone. Just gorgeous!”
If you would like to come in-store and see our incredible Kilimanjaro collection for yourself, pop in and speak to Margaret at our Rundle Mall store, or to our resident tanzanite specialist Tina, at our Adelaide Arcade store.
Just like us, we think you’ll love the mysterious and exquisite tanzanite range! Take a journey to Mount Kilimanjaro and wear a precious piece of the earth, available in-store and online today.
