Tantalizing tanzanite
Tanzanite was first discovered in Tanzania in 1967. Otherwise known as blue-violet zoisite, Tiffany & Co renamed this stone as they felt this original name was not consumer friendly. They introduced this stone to the market in 1968 and it has remained popular ever since.
The Jewellery Auction on 6 June saw tanzanite perform very well with all lots achieving above the high end of their estimate. 
Lot 530, a pair of tanzanite and diamond earrings, achieved a hammer price of £360 against an estimate of £200 – £300.
Lot 755 was a tanzanite necklace with diamond and opal accents, which sold at £650, soaring above its £300 – £500 estimate.
Lot 756, a tanzanite and diamond ring, perhaps the most wearable of the three, went for £360, more than double estimate.
McTear’s sells more jewellery than any other Scottish auction house in the dedicated jewellery auctions that take place twice monthly, run concurrently live online on a platform that attracts six million visitors annually from over 120 countries worldwide.
Written by Amy Cameron
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