Tanzanite is the birthstone for the month of December.

The folk tales from the Maasai people are colorful and creative. The tell a tale of Lightning, and velt fires, running over the plains below Kilimanjaro. From the fire in the sky to the beautiful Gem it created, as it transformed this worthless crystal into the now rare shimmering blue-violet treasure

The truth of the actual discovery of tanzanite remains will remain a mystery to the world, but we do know for certain who found the first Tanzanite. The most widely accredited narrative suggests that in July of 1967, Ali Juuyawatu, a local Maasai tribesman, found a piece of translucent crystal near Mount Kilimanjaro. Fascinated by its blue-violet hue, he shared his discovery with Manuel D'Souza, part time prospector. D'Souza believed he found a Sapphire, and had no idea he had stumbled on an entirely new specimen.