If you think diamonds are a girl's best friend, there's a new stone that's taking the spotlight as a gem of a gem. It's tanzanite - originally called blue zoisite - which was discovered in the 1960s in a mine in Tanzania.

Tanzanite, which was branded and named by Tiffany & Co, is known for its intense violet-blue hue. The rare stone is fragile, so the jeweller emphasises that tanzanite rings are hard to alter for size. In fact, if an alteration is attempted, it may damage the quality of the rock.

If you're looking for that one in a million ring for the big day, this might just be it. Then again, better cross your fingers that it fits right.

Cushion-cut 9.18K tanzanite ring with 1.32 carat diamonds, $58,000, from Tiffany & Co, 01-05 Ngee Ann City.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on July 31, 2008.