Vintage Tanzanite 5-Stone Ring
Vintage five-stone ring set with pretty, watery-purple tanzanite gemstones in bezel settings surrounded by an openworked scalloped gallery. It dates from the 1970s and English import marks inside the band confirm that it's crafted in solid 9 carat gold.
Tanzanite is a relatively 'new' gemstone. First discovered in Tanzania in 1967, it's a vivid blue variety of zoisite - a mineral that has been known since the early 1800s. The story goes that Maasai herders discovered deposits of blue crystals in the Merelani Hills near Arusha. A prospector, Manuel d’Souza, heard of the discovery and applied for mining permits, thinking he was looking at sapphires. Tiffany & Co., realising the potential in a new blue gem with colour saturation to rival the best blue sapphires, quickly stepped in as the primary distributor of the gem. They chose to drop the name "blue zoisite" in favour of tanzanite, apparently concerned that the former sounded too much like "suicide". Tanzanite is known for its strong pleochroism: the ability to show different colours when viewed from different directions.
Era: Vintage, circa 1975
Ring size: N 1/2 or 7 US. Resizeable for £55
Width at head: 6.7mm
Stones: Tanzanite
Marks: English import marks for 9ct gold, P & I Maker's Mark
Condition: Great vintage condition
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
Express shipping is free of charge and carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
UPS Express (International)
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
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Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
A 25% deposit will be taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
More Questions?
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alex@lostowl.jewelry
An inscription can be added inside the band, where space allows. Add 2-3 weeks to shipping times
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