Gemstone Knowledge | 水晶科普 | 坦桑石：發現與命名 Tanzanite: Discovery and Naming

Legend has it that the blue-purple glow of tanzanite is a gift from god. On the vast plains of Tanzania, a powerful thunderstorm accompanied by lightning struck a rock. After being scorched by the lightning, this ordinary brown-yellow stone transformed into a stunning blue-purple gemstone.據說，坦桑石的藍紫色光芒是神賜予的。在坦桑尼亞的廣袤草原上，一場猛烈的雷暴伴隨著閃電擊中了一塊岩石，經過雷火的焚燒後，這塊普通的棕黃色礦石變成了美麗的藍紫色寶石。

• Discovery Time: Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, East Africa. 🌍
發現時間：坦桑石於1967年首次在東非的坦桑尼亞被發現。✨

• Origin: Tanzanite is exclusively found in the Merelani region near Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, making it the only source in the world, thus its supply is extremely limited. ⛰️
產地：坦桑石僅產於坦桑尼亞北部靠近乞力馬扎羅山的梅雷拉尼礦區，這是全球唯一的產地，儲量極為有限。

• Naming: The American jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. named it “Tanzanite,” meaning “gemstone from Tanzania,” and promoted it to the international market. 💎
命名：美國珠寶品牌蒂芙尼（Tiffany & Co.）將其命名為“Tanzanite”，意為“來自坦桑尼亞的寶石”，並推廣至國際市場。

• Color: Tanzanite is renowned for its unique trichroism, showing blue, purple, and burgundy hues at different angles. 🌈
顏色特點：坦桑石以其獨特的三色性（trichroism）而聞名，在不同角度下可能呈現藍色、紫色和酒紅色。

• Processing: Raw tanzanite typically appears brown or yellow and requires heating treatment (approximately 600℃) to remove impurities and reveal elegant deep blue to purple tones. 🔥
處理方式：原礦的坦桑石通常呈棕色或黃色，需要通過加熱處理（約600℃）去除雜色，展現出深藍至紫色的優雅色調。

• Hardness: It has a Mohs hardness of 6-7, making it more susceptible to scratches and softer than diamonds and sapphires, so care is needed in wear and maintenance. ⚖️
硬度：摩氏硬度為6-7，較易劃傷，比鑽石和藍寶石軟，因此需小心佩戴和保養。

• Crystal Structure: Tanzanite belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system, usually appearing in prismatic or platy forms. Its refractive index is 1.69-1.70, offering good luster and fire. 🔍
晶體結構：屬於斜方晶系，晶體通常呈柱狀或板狀。折射率為1.69-1.70，具有良好的光澤和火彩。

Tanzanite is celebrated as the “gemstone of the millennium” due to its unique beauty and rarity, making it highly sought after in the market. 🌟 As the resources from its only source gradually diminish, the value of tanzanite may increase over time. 💰
坦桑石被譽為“千禧年的寶石”，因其獨特的美感和稀有性深受市場青睞。隨著唯一產地的資源逐漸枯竭，坦桑石的價值可能會隨時間增長。