When compared to stones that have been used as adornments for thousands of years, such as the ruby or the sapphire, tanzanite is still the new kid on the block. This alluring gem was discovered less than 50 years ago, in 1967, near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Since then, it’s been found only in one small area of the globe, just five miles square.

The color of tanzanite is unlike that of any other stone, and its one-of-a-kind hue makes it an unforgettable way to make a fashion statement, declare your love or even pop the question. A brilliant blue with a touch of violet, this gem calls to mind the color of a cornflower in later summer—except drenched in sparkle.

Tanzanite engagement rings are unexpected but exquisite ways to pop the question. By proposing with a stone that’s found in just one small part of the world, you show the one you love that you think she’s one in a million. The 1 Carat Art Deco Tanzanite Engagement Ring in 14K White Gold is a stunning example. This one-of-a-kind ring gives a 1920s-inspired lotus flower a big touch of lavish cornflower-colored sparkle as a one-carat round tanzanite is revealed by shining, gracefully-opening petals. This uniquely adorned flower sits atop a solid white gold band that’s richly carved with a motif of paisley-like swirls and leaves.  In addition to this stunning 14K white gold ring, this style is available with an eye-catching yellow gold flower in a radiant two-tone style. Or, use it as half of a striking wedding jewelry set.

Tanzanite adds a vibrant touch to a number of engagement ring and wedding band sets, and the Antique-Style Tanzanite Wedding Ring Set is a beautiful example. The engagement ring in this Victorian pair surrounds a 4.5mm round tanzanite with an intricately-carved motif of swirls and openwork accents. The coordinating slender wedding band displays a similar motif as it curves to perfectly fit with its partner.  The undeniable feminine charm of this set is brilliantly complemented with the striking sparkle of the stone that it holds.

Vintage rings that pair tanzanite with diamonds combine surprising, vibrant color with timeless, versatile sparkle. For instance, the Tanzanite and Diamond Heart Ring in 14K White Gold accents a 5mm round tanzanite with two smaller diamonds, one on each side. These diamonds glimmer from within carved hearts that accent the vintage motif that’s carved into the 14K white gold band. This design is old-fashioned but striking, with big doses of romance and class.

Vintage gemstone rings that feature tanzanite give these time-tested styles a breath of fresh air. Try one for the perfect partnership of old and new.

Tanzanite is a relatively new discovery in the world of gemstones. Shepherds in Tanzania first noticed this stunning stone near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the 1960s, and it’s been gaining admirers ever since. The color of this gem is what really sets it apart: this stone’s violet-blue is soft yet vibrant, reminiscent of a cornflower bur far less ordinary. The look of tanzanite testifies to the fact that it is something truly rare and special: in the nearly five decades that have passed since this stone’s discovery, it has only been found in one five-square mile area.

Tanzanite’s unique color allows it to bring a fresh look to styles that are inspired by times past, and Apples of Gold carries a number of tanzanite rings that feature the designs of the Victorian Era and the Art Deco Period. For instance, the 1 Carat Art Deco Tanzanite Engagement Ring in 14K White Gold is rich with 1920s styling, but the brilliant tanzanite that it holds gives it modern twist. This round, 1 carat gemstone emerges from within the smooth, highly-polished petals of a lotus flower. In contrast to this sleek blossom, an intricate motif of swirls and leaves adorns the band. This is a truly extraordinary piece that combines that past and the present in a ring with beauty that will endure long into the future.

Of course, vintage styles aren’t the only ones to benefit from tanzanite’s touch of exotic color. Contemporary designs seem even more current when set with this vibrant stone, as demonstrated by the Trillion-Cut Tanzanite and Diamond Ring. This elegant yet edgy ring accents a 0.75 trillion-cut tanzanite with four small diamonds in asymmetrical fashion for a look that’s sophisticated without abandoning a sense of fun.

Classic rings are given a head-turning twist with tanzanite. For instance, the Three Stone Tanzanite and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold takes a traditional design—the three-stone ring—and replaces the center diamond with a 4mm round tanzanite. This piece will never go out of style, and somehow seems perpetually fresh and current.

Tanzanite earrings provide a lovely complementary touch to any tanzanite ring, but they’re also excellent choices on their own. The Tanzanite Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold are timeless, and they’re sure to draw complements through their matchless blue hue. This pair is available with your choice of 4mm, 5mm or 6mm stones, for just the right touch of alluring color.

Tanzanite rings bring a touch of the exotic to even the coldest of days. Let one of these mesmerizing pieces wake up your look and add a touch of matchless color.

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.