We have established that tanzanite is the perfect gemstone for December—the birthstone displays a wintry mix of purple and blue that can be described as nothing less than magic. But there’s tanzanite jewelry and there’s tanzanite jewelry, and this Mahtab cocktail ring from Modern Moghul is most certainly the latter.

“This is a classic petite cocktail ring design from India,” Modern Moghul’s curator James Dykema tells JCK. “Rings like this were often worn by Mughal royalty during the dynasty’s reign. The rose-cut diamonds and the tiny, finely cut diamonds serve as a base atop which the regal cabochon tanzanite is perched. As with many such cocktail rings of the time, even the setting of the primary stone is artfully crafted and decorated with diamonds. The inside of the settings and band are also decorated with gold plating to give the ring a warmer, more polished feel.”

I wasn’t really thinking when I asked the brand where the stone was sourced from—duh, Tanzania—but in the process I learned something new about the gem anyway (so perhaps there are no stupid questions after all). “In the past, tanzanite was exported raw and then refined and cut in other countries, primarily India,” Dykema says. “In order to retain more of the value and profit of their natural resources, Tanzania made it law that all gemstones mined within their borders must be refined within their own country before export. The tanzanite in this ring is no exception. We at Modern Moghul adore the stone’s translucent blue hues, and include cabochon tanzanite in several of our designs.”

The Mahtab ring makes an amazing accessory for the joyous and elegant occasions the holidays inspire. The best part? It’s a wow look for the price—$2,500.

“We search through numerous designs, aided by sketches, requests, and our artistic vision to find and create truly unique pieces like this tanzanite cocktail ring,” says Dykema when asked about the design process. “In this case of this ring, the tanzanite stone came first, and the design was imagined around it. Oftentimes the qualities of a rare and beautiful stone will inspire the design of which it becomes the centerpiece.”

Top: Mahtab ring in rhodium-plated sterling silver and gold vermeil with 13.65 ct. tanzanite and 1.96 cts. t.w. diamonds, $2,500; Modern Moghul

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