Diamonds are composed of carbon and are the hardest natural substance known to man. They were formed deep below the earth’s surface and were later brought within our reach by short but extremely powerful volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The first diamonds are thought to have been mined in India around 3000 years ago where they were valued for their ability to refract light. They were used as adornment and to ward off danger and bad luck. Diamonds have long symbolized purity and today they are recognised as representing everlasting love – like a diamond true love lasts forever. It is this symbolism combined with their durability that makes them the most popular and sought after gemstone for an engagement ring. Only 20-25% of diamonds mined today are suitable to be used in jewellery and less than 2% of these are good enough to become a Browns diamond. A diamond’s value is determined by the 4 C’s, carat, cut, clarity and colour.

Diamonds occur naturally in a wide array of colours and hues from yellow and browns to pinks and reds. The colour is caused by the addition of certain elements at the time the diamond was formed. Nitrogen creates the yellows and browns while boron results in blues and greys. For every 10,000 clear diamonds that are found only 1 is a natural coloured diamond. It is this rarity which makes them so sought after. At Browns we only use natural fancy coloured diamonds, our coloured diamonds are never synthetic or colour treated.

Ever since Tanzanite first came to the attention of the world in the late 1960’s Browns The Diamond Store have placed special emphasis on this very beautiful, rare and African gemstone. Legend has it that it was a young Masaai herdsman who first stumbled across the blue crystals protruding from the earth. However, the true story of its discovery remains somewhat of a mystery. A Masaai legend tells of how the land was struck by a powerful bolt of lightening which burned into the ground magically transforming the earth into these vibrant blue crystals. It truth, tanzanite was formed over 500 million years ago. It is found in only one place on earth, buried deep in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, East Africa. Because the formation of Tanzanite requires very unique geological conditions geologists believe that the chances of finding it anywhere else in the world are less than one in a million. It is this single limited source that makes tanzanite 1000 times more rare than a diamond.

Blue has long been a colour associated with Royalty and at Browns we have chosen to name our Tanzanite collection The Royal Tanzanite Collection in honour of Tanzanite’s specialness. Blue has always been a sacred and spiritual colour to the Masaai and according to their ancient traditions Masaai women who have given birth are honoured by being presented with blue beads and fabric. Since its discovery tanzanite has also come to represent the beginning of a better life for the people of Tanzania. Because of these associations with new beginnings and rebirth tanzanite is now widely recognised as the birth stone regardless of the month.

Tanzanite’s unique structure means that it radiates three different colours, blue, violent and burgundy. It is this that gives tanzanite its intense brilliance and complexity making it far more radiant than a sapphire. Once cut and polished tanzanite displays a dazzling array of blue and violet hues. Because the range of colours is so wide finding two or more stones of identical colour is extremely difficult. For this reason matching pairs are extremely sought after.

Like all other precious gems tanzanite is graded according to the 4C’s - Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut. Although tanzanite is available in a wide range of colours at Browns we only select stones that fall within a significantly smaller range ensuring that any piece of Browns tanzanite is of the best colour and highest quality. All tanzanite purchased from Browns is accompanied by an original Browns certificate as well as an internationally recognised certificate from EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) guaranteeing lifetime authenticity and assuring the characteristics of your unique gemstone.

Tsavorite is an excellent example of the fact that even nowadays new gemstones are discovered. Found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania some of the best quality tsavorite is mined in South Africa itself. Its intense, deep colour and flawless structure make it one of nature’s most beautiful gemstones superior in colour and clarity to all but the most flawless emeralds. Browns The Diamond Store have created an exquisite collection of tsavorite jewellery, Imperial Tsavorite to celebrate this fabulous but little known stone.

Tsavorite was formed over 2 billion years ago, before even dinosaurs trod the earth and when Mount Kilimanjaro was still in its infancy. It was discovered in the Tsavo National Park, Kenya, in 1967 by Campbell Bridges, a gem collector and geologist. In rugged and harsh conditions Bridges lived in a tree-house to protect himself from wild animals and in an effort to dissuade the theft of the alluring green gemstones that he’d found he left them guarded by a python.

Tsavorite is one of the garnet family and is therefore connected with the principle of love. It is beneficial when it comes to ensuring a good relationship with your partner, improves clarity of perception, knowledge about love, and understanding. Green has traditionally also been associated with healing, re-growth and fertility.

Imperial Tsavorite makes an excellent investment as tsavorite is not yet very well known by the general public. This is expected to change with prices rising considerably in the future as its reputation spreads and the demand increases.

Like all other precious gems tsavorite is graded according to the 4C’s - Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut. At Browns we carefully hand select each piece of tsavorite ensuring that all Browns tsavorite is of the best colour and highest quality. All tsavorite purchased from Browns is accompanied by an original Browns certificate as well as an internationally recognised certificate from EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) guaranteeing lifetime authenticity and assuring the characteristics of your unique gemstone.