Learn About Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
Tanzanite
- Zoisite
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December Birthstone
Round
Pear
Heart
Round
Pear
HeartOverview
Tanzanite is one of the most intriguing and popular blue gemstones available today. Bluish violet in hue, it belongs to the zoisite mineral group. This rare gem wasn't found until 1967; the year it was discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
According to legends, these foothills were once set ablaze by a bolt of lightning. In the aftermath, a violetish blue crystal was found by Masai herders amidst the ashes of the scorched land. Soon this rare discovery was named tanzanite, after the country of its origin – Tanzania.
1. Key Origin
- This gem is only found in a deep and small area (approximately seven square kilometers in size) on the foothills of the mountain, which makes it a thousand times rarer than diamonds.
2. Associations
- Among the Maasai tribes of Tanzania, this gem is presented to wives to celebrate the birth of a child and to bless the newborn with good luck and prosperity.
- This rare gem is considered as the birthstone for December and also the stone for the 24th wedding anniversary.
Properties
Rated 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Tanzanite exhibits a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Despite the low rating, it can be used in all types of jewelry. However, proper precautions must be taken to avoid hard impact or rough usage. Tanzanite also exhibits perfect cleavage, which indicates the gem’s tendency to being chipped or broken if it receives a sharp blow. Additionally, sensitivity to rapid change in temperature makes the tanzanite more prone to breakage. But the setting of the jewelry, along with adequate care from the owner can drastically reduce the probability of damage.
02Treatment
This gem is normally heat treated at 600 degrees Celsius for around 30 minutes, which is very mild in comparison to what is done for other gems, such as sapphire. The subsequent change or enhancement in color is not likely to fade under standard light exposure and in the normal temperature range of the human environment. Untreated and naturally blue tanzanite is extremely sought-after and held in high regard amongst jewelry enthusiasts.
Know About Other Gems
Tanzanite
"Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.”
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
- Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
- Round
Pear
Heart
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
When it comes to judging the true worth of a tanzanite, there are several factors that are taken into consideration. They include the stone’s
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- Color is of crucial importance when determining the value of this gem.
- Tanzanites with deep and highly saturated hue are most valued. Deep blue makes it to the top of the list, followed by bluish purple and violet-blue.
- As the saturation level of the color decreases, so does the value of the gemstone.
02Carat
- The finest colors are usually seen in large sized stones; however a large stone with less saturation is of a lower value.
03Clarity
- Tanzanites are transparent gemstones with an attractive, vitreous luster.
- The zoisite crystals, from which they are formed, are considerably free from inclusions. An eye-visible inclusion on the cut and polished gemstone will hence result in a drop in the value.
- A large, flawless tanzanite with no inclusions and the highest clarity grade of “eye clean” (also known as “flawless”) is considered the most valuable.
04Cuts
- Tanzanites are available in both traditional and contemporary cuts, with oval and cushion being the most common.
- The extremely rare, cat’s-eye tanzanite is fashioned into a cabochon (polished, but not faceted) to showcase its brilliant effect.
Quality & Grading
Based on their properties, tanzanites can be further distinguished into the following categories of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Deep Rich Violet Blue | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Heart-Shaped Tanzanite Infinity Pendant with Diamond Accents$1499 |
| Best (AAA) |  Rich Violet blue | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Emerald-Cut Tanzanite Pendant with Diamond Trio$2549 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium Violet Blue | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Trillion Tanzanite Solitaire Pendant with Diamond$539 |
| Good (A) |  Light Violet Blue | Slightly Included | Low | Top 75% |
Trillion Tanzanite Wishbone Pendant with Diamond$249 |
Latest Pick from Tanzanite Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Tanzanite and Diamond Twisted Vine Ring
$1839
Three Stone Emerald-Cut Tanzanite and Diamond Engagement Ring
$8659
Oval Tanzanite Engagement Ring with Floral Diamond Halo
$5479
Prong-Set Oval Tanzanite Halo Ring with Diamond Accents
$3059
Half Eternity 7 Stone Tanzanite and Diamond Wedding Ring
$1519
Care Instructions
Jewelry adorned with tanzanite should be worn with care as the stone is softer than many gems. It showcases perfect cleavage and hence should be protected from hard blows and rough usage. Good care and maintenance will ensure that your tanzanite jewelry never loses its magnificent sparkle.
FAQs
1. Are tanzanites valuable?
Yes, tanzanites are highly valuable due to their stunning blue-violet hue. Found only in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, these gemstones are among the rarest in the world. Their value is also influenced by factors such as color intensity, clarity and carat size.
2. Are tanzanites expensive?
Yes, tanzanites can be expensive, especially high-quality stones with vivid blue-violet hues. Their rarity adds to their value, as they are found only in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Larger, well-cut tanzanites with intense color typically command higher prices, though more affordable options are available for lighter or smaller stones.
3. Are tanzanites natural or treated?
Most tanzanites are natural but many gemstones undergo heat treatment to enhance their color. This process permanently brings out the vibrant blue and violet tones by reducing any brownish hues.
4. Are tanzanites graded differently than diamonds?
Yes, tanzanites are graded differently. Unlike diamonds, which use the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat), tanzanites are primarily valued for their color, with vibrant blue-violet shades being the most prized.
5. What is the difference between tanzanites and other gemstones such as blue sapphire?
Tanzanites are known for their striking blue-violet hues and pleochroism, i.e., showing different colors when viewed from different angles. On the other hand, blue sapphires typically have a deeper, more uniform blue hue. Tanzanites are also rarer than blue sapphires.
