In the late 1960s, a gemstone unlike any other was discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - tanzanite. Characterized by its stunning blue-violet hues, tanzanite quickly caught the attention of gemologists and jewelry designers around the world. One of the key figures in the popularization of this spectacular stone was Donald Claflin, a prominent designer at Tiffany & Co.. The brand, renowned for its luxury and innovation, launched tanzanite in both high-end jewelry designs and smaller pieces, making the stone accessible to a wide-ranging audience. Under Claflin's direction, Tiffany also showcased tanzanite in strikingly bold and modern settings, which helped elevate the gemstone's allure and desirability. By associating tanzanite with sophistication and exclusivity, Claflin and Tiffany effectively created a market for this relatively unknown stone.