Tanzanite is a stone without equal. Just a fleeting glance at this vibrant stone beckons your eye with unmatched color and holds your gaze with its mesmerizing sparkle.

Tanzanite hasn’t been on the jewelry scene all that long, especially when compared to stones such as sapphires and garnets that have been used as adornments for thousands of years, but it’s rapidly gaining fans due to its one-of-a-kind color and exclusive nature.

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 when passing shepherds noticed sparkling stones lying in the sun in the Merelani Hills, near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Gemologists declared it the “gem of the 20^th Century” and it’s been increasingly embraced by the jewelry world ever since.

Named after its country of origin, tanzanite is found only in the land of its discovery—in fact, it’s found only in one five-square-mile area, giving it an exclusivity that has made it a growing favorite. This exceptionality makes jewelry that features tanzanite truly fit for a queen. This is readily seen in Apples of Gold’s Royal Tanzanite and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold. This sophisticated piece places a 7mm-high oval-shaped tanzanite front and center, allowing its unique appearance to steal the show. A total of eight round diamonds, two larger prong-set stones and six smaller channel-set ones, accent this gorgeous gem, adding sparkle and reflecting its unique color. It’s a look that would be at home on the finger of any royal—or any woman with an eye for stunning style.

Even if tanzanite were plentiful around the globe, it would still be set apart by its incredible color. The look of tanzanite is richer than aquamarine and more vibrant than sapphire, making it truly hard to look away. The hue of this stone seems to be the most intriguing blue imaginable, reminiscent of a cornflower with just a hint of violet. This variety of indigo is universally flattering, making it an excellent choice for any skin tone. It’s simultaneously lively and soothing, and unlike that of any of gem.

Tanzanite is actually a blue variety of zoisite, an ornamental stone that has been known for over 200 years. It’s comprised of calcium aluminum silicate and is rated from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, meaning that’s it’s not a particularly hard gemstone. However, with its alluring hue and sparkle, it’s hard to do anything but treat this gem with care.

Tanzanite can elevate even the most basic pieces into jewelry that is truly special. For example, solitaire and three-stone rings take on an exclusive and exotic flair when set with tanzanite. The Three Stone Tanzanite Ring in 14K White Gold is a perfect example. This ring features a 4mm tanzanite hugged by two similarly-shaped but slightly smaller stones, creating a look that’s simple but brilliant.

Apples of Gold’s Tanzanite Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold also prove this gemstone’s ability to make an ordinary style extraordinary. Top-quality, hand-selected tanzanite stones are set in solid 14K white gold to create this eye-catching pair, creating a look that’s simple, but that is sure to turn heads toward its exquisite sparkle and dramatic color. These tanzanite earrings are available with several sizes of gemstones, allowing you to decide just how big of an impression you’d like to make. They’re also available in 14K yellow gold or platinum, providing a pair for nearly any jewelry box.

The exclusivity and rarity of tanzanite makes it an ideal way to express love, demonstrating that the one your care about is a once-in-a-lifetime treasure. When you present this exotically gorgeous stone, you make it clear that you cherish that special someone and recognize that they are irreplaceable.

This ability to communicate love that’s far from ordinary renders tanzanite a particularly fitting choice for wedding jewelry. For example, the Antique-Style Tanzanite Wedding Ring Set showcases this stone in a vintage-style 14K white gold setting that calls to mind the romance of the Victorian Era. This ring surrounds a round tanzanite with a lavish design of cutouts and swirls that exudes femininity and elegance. This style is also a prime example of the way that tanzanite can interpret old-fashioned styles into fresh looks that promise to captivate both in the present and in the future.

The unmatched look of tanzanite also renders it ideal for contemporary designs as its color makes the most of bold designs and modern shapes. For example, the Trillion-Cut Tanzanite and Diamond Ring exhibits an asymmetrical look that communicates class with a touch of fun. A triangular tanzanite stone is set slightly (and stylishly) off-kilter and accented by four diamonds, three on the left and one on the right.

Tanzanite has only served as a December birthstone for a decade—it was given that designation by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002, but its appeal promises to be timeless. A gift of tanzanite jewelry is a lovely way to recognize a December birthday or even a meaningful date in the last month of the year, such as a wedding anniversary.

Regardless of its birthstone status, tanzanite offers a welcome burst of color to the month that marks the beginning of the coldest, grayest season. Its vibrancy offers the perfect touch of sparkle for the Christmas season and beyond.

A number of tanzanite pendants, such as the 6mm x 4mm Pear Shaped Tanzanite and Diamond Flower Pendant in 14K White Gold, offer a taste of spring no matter what the weather. This timelessly elegant piece surrounds a 0.55 carat teardrop-shaped tanzanite with a total of 0.20 carats of round diamonds like sparkling petals radiating from a captivating indigo center.

As a means to celebrate a December birthday, or simply as a stunning gem, tanzanite is unmatched. Its captivating color is able to intrigue in an instant and its exclusive nature readily communicates love that’s anything but mundane.