JW Currens, one of the best-kept secrets from the world of jewelry design, was recently commissioned by The Tanzanite Foundation to create a one-of-a-kind tanzanite, platinum and diamond ring. The piece's central stone, a 103.39-carat tanzanite sugarloaf cabochon, was mined in Tanzania, East Africa earlier this year.

The tanzanite's unique colour—a deep, dark violet-blue with hints of burgundy—was the inspiration behind Currens’ “Midnight” Ring. Nearly eight carats of sparkling micro-pave diamonds add brilliance and intrigue, while the simplicity of the platinum setting lets this breathtaking stone take centre stage.

Says Currens of his design: “This particular gem was selected for its exquisite blue colour, and its extraordinary size. I wanted to create a fashionable yet classic ring—its design is timeless, and tanzanite’s finite supply means that this magnificent jewel will way outlive the availability of anything like this in future years and generations. This is a once-in-a lifetime piece.”

Tanzanite is a rare and precious gemstone, and is considered one of the most desirable treasures of the modern world. Found only at the foothills of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, experts say that the chances of tanzanite being found anywhere else on the planet are less than one in a million.

Its single source and limited quantity mean that tanzanite is at least 1,000 times more rare than diamonds. “A stone of 100 carats or larger is an unusual occurrence, and something to be treasured. Tanzanite should be considered a family heirloom and [be] passed down from generation to generation,” says Hayley Henning of the Tanzanite Foundation in New York.