Tanzanite: Tell me more.

[soberguy]

I have always avoided Tanzanite due to it's "softness" compared to sapphires, alexandrites, etc. A friend of mine had a 3 carat nice bluish purple that soon became so abraded it wasn't even pretty anymore (in a ring). Is there a way to use tanzanite in a ring that will prevent, or at least slow down this abrasion process? It would be rather upsetting buying a nice big tanzanite and have absolutely no safe way of wearing it. They are such beautiful gems when they are deep bluish purple... I'm VERY tempted, but I wonder whether or not I would destroy the poor thing. I daily wear a diamond, sapphire, and an alexandrite, and have never chipped, or abraded any of the above.

 

[T L]

Is there a way to use tanzanite in a ring that will prevent, or at least slow down this abrasion process?

In my experience, no. Others may beg to differ. I suppose if you wear it very infrequently, and you are very cognizant of it on your hand, but it's too much of a risk to take IMO.