How Does Tanzanite Measure Up? Exploring Its Mohs Scale Hardness

Have you ever wondered what the hardness of tanzanite is? But before that, let’s understand what a Tanzanite is. It’s a pretty blue-violet gem that belongs to the mineral group.

Think about strolling through a jewelry store, and your eyes land on that breathtaking tanzanite necklace. But wait, how can you be sure it won’t easily scratch or lose its sparkle? That’s where hardness comes in.

Hardness measures a gem’s resistance to getting scratched. The harder, the better. Now, let’s reveal the truth about Tanzanite’s hardness. We’ll find what makes this gem unique and how it compares to other well-known gems.

As we get deeper, you’ll find the science behind the Mohs scale, the hardness ruler. We’ll crack the code of Tanzanite’s toughness.

What is Tanzanite?

Choose a super rare and super pretty gem named Tanzanite. They found it 1967 near a big mountain in Tanzania called Mount Kilimanjaro.

People all over the world liked it a lot. It’s got this nice blue-purple color that looks different when the light changes. It can seem like it changes colors when you look at it from different sides. Tanzanite happens when heat and pressure mix with a special rock called zoisite.

It’s not just good-looking, it’s also really hard to find. You can only get it from one place, a spot in Tanzania called the Merelani Hills. That’s what makes it even more rare. Since it’s new and not many are around, both folks who collect stuff and those who like fashion really like Tanzanite.

Understanding Tanzanite Hardness

Tanzanite is a fine purplish-blue gem that people like to put in jewelry because it’s rare and looks great. But it’s important to know that it’s not super strong.

But have you ever thought about how to measure its hardness? Use a tanzanite Mohs scale. On a scale from 1 to 10 that measures toughness, tanzanite is about 6.5 to 7. That means it’s not as tough as diamonds or sapphires, but it’s still okay.

Don’t hit it hard or put it in hot or cold places because it could break. Also, it’s a good idea to keep it away from harder gems so they don’t scratch it. To keep it shiny, you can clean tanzanite jewelry with mild, soapy water and a soft brush. But if it needs to be fixed, let experts do it.

If you know how tough tanzanite is, you can enjoy its beauty for a long time. Wearing tanzanite jewelry is like celebrating how pleasant nature is, but you must be careful to keep it stunning.

How to Take Care of Tanzanite

1. Gentle Handling

Be careful with tanzanite jewelry because it’s not very strong like other gems. Don’t hit it hard or press it too much, or it might break. Removing it when playing sports cleaning or using harsh chemicals like jewelry cleaner is better.

Treat it like a precious treasure that can get hurt easily. Check if the stone is tight from time to time. If it’s loose, ask someone to fix it so it doesn’t worsen.

2. Storage

To ensure your tanzanite jewelry stays super pretty, keep it separate from tougher gems and metals so it doesn’t get scratched.

You can put it in soft bags or gentle jewelry boxes to protect it from scratches.

3. Cleaning

If you’ve got tanzanite jewelry and want it to look awesome, here’s what you can do. Get some gentle soap and mix it with water, nothing too strong. Find a soft brush, like the one you use for your teeth, and dip it in the soapy water. Then, use the brush to scrub your jewelry gently. That’ll help remove dirt and make your jewelry shiny like before.

Avoid steam or machines that shake a lot, as they can damage the tanzanite. After scrubbing, give your jewelry a good rinse with clean water.

4. Chemicals

Tanzanite is a unique kind of precious stone that can be easily damaged. It gets hurt if it meets strong chemicals, so it’s better to keep it far from tough cleaning stuff, nice-smelling perfumes, and stuff you put on your face.

Don’t forget to remove your tanzanite jewelry before cleaning your house or swimming in pools with pool-cleaning stuff.

5. Temperature

Tanzanite is a lovely gem, but it can snap if it goes from super hot to super cold suddenly. So, before you hop into a sauna or a hot tub, do yourself a favor and don’t wear any tanzanite jewelry.

It’s like the tanzanite gets all worried by the quick change in temperature and might end up with a crack.

6. Settings

Don’t forget to check your tanzanite jewelry regularly so it stays safe. Just give a little peek at how the gem is attached. If it looks loose or wobbly, that’s not a good sign. It could get hurt or even pop out.

Taking a little time for this can help you keep wearing your lovely jewelry and enjoy it for a long while.

7. Professional Inspection

Remember to occasionally take your tanzanite jewelry to a jewelry expert, especially if you’ve been using a jewelry-making kit to craft your pieces. They’re like jewelry doctors who can find and fix any issues.

These experts are good at spotting problems and making things better. So, visit the jewelry expert occasionally to keep your tanzanite jewelry sparkling and lovely.

Conclusion

Tanzanite is a truly fascinating gemstone. We’ve learned that its hardness, measured on the Mohs scale, is around 6.5 to 7, which means it’s not the hardest but still quite durable.

This makes it suitable for jewelry that can be worn every day. But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. It’s not too soft to be easily scratched, but it’s not so hard that it can’t be shaped into beautiful jewelry. Y

ou can enjoy its strong blue-violet beauty without worrying about it getting damaged. It’s a gem that combines style and durability, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate style and substance.

So, remember to keep it safe if you’re an admirer of Tanzanite or simply excited about gemstones.