Today, we embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of tanzanite and empower you to make informed decisions when choosing the perfect piece for your collection. Allow this guide to serve as your compass, illuminating the path towards a treasured purchase.
Hi everyone,
I’m Sasha Kareva and on this channel I talk about GEMSTONES. Welcome!
Tanzanite, a member of the zoisite family, boasts of a unique history. The first examples of tanzanites were discovered in 1967 by a Maasai herdsman who was tending his herd near Mount Kilimanjaro. At first, the violet-red stones were mistakenly thought to be sapphires, with their unusual coloring. After performing laboratory research, experts concluded that the crystals found were a new and unique type of mineral called zoisite. The find of tanzanites was hailed as a gemological discovery of the century.
Information about the discovery of the newest type of jewelry minerals instantly got to Henry Platt, who was president of the jewelry manufacturer Tiffany & Co. It was he who came up with the idea of naming the stones after the country of their origin. The official presentation of the tanzanites took place in 1968. A powerful advertising campaign soon followed and the whole world learned about tanzanite. By the late '90s it had become one of the best selling and fastest growing colored gemstones in the world.
Today, this region remains the sole source of this precious stone, making it the rarest and most desired.
Tanzanite, the mesmerizing blue-violet gemstone, is prized for its beauty and rarity. Found only in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, this December birthstone is graded using the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. Understanding these factors is crucial to making informed decisions when purchasing a tanzanite piece.
Tanzanite, known for its vibrant hues, boasts a color palette that ranges from deep royal blue to violets and even hints of red - green. Its beauty is further enhanced by its pleochroic nature, meaning it displays different colors depending on the angle at which it's viewed. This unique characteristic adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue to this fascinating gem.
Tanzanite has three primary colors.
Blue: This is the most common and prized color of tanzanite. The deeper and richer the blue, the more valuable the stone.
Violet: Violets are highly sought after and offer a unique and captivating alternative to the classic blue.
Red: Red flashes are a rare and valuable feature in tanzanite, adding a touch of warmth and vibrancy to the stone.
While the primary colors mentioned are the most common, tanzanite can also exhibit a wider range of hues, including:
Lilac: A soft, delicate shade of violet that is highly coveted.
Pink: A rare and extremely valuable color in tanzanite, offering a unique and feminine appeal.
Green: This color is very rare and often appears as a secondary or tertiary hue in tanzanite.
Yellow: Another extremely rare color, yellow tanzanite is highly sought after by collectors.
Several factors influence the color of tanzanite, including:
Vanadium Content: The presence of vanadium in the zoisite mineral gives tanzanite its characteristic color. The higher the vanadium content, the deeper and more intense the blue or violet color.
In most cases, Tanzanite doesn't possess these vibrant colors. This is where heat treatment comes in, playing a crucial role in unveiling the gem's true beauty.
Natural tanzanite, a variety of the zoisite mineral, primarily exhibits brownish tones. To reveal the coveted blue and violet shades, the gemstone undergoes a controlled heating process. This process typically involves:
Temperature: The gem is heated in a gemological oven at temperatures ranging from 400°C-600°C for approximately an hour.
Transformation: The heat triggers a chemical reaction within the zoisite, removing the unwanted brown tones and allowing the blue and violet hues to emerge.
Permanence: This color change is permanent and unaffected by further cutting, polishing, or wearing.
Unlike some gemstones where heat treatment can be seen as a way to enhance color or clarity, this is not the case with Tanzanite. Heat treatment is considered a standard practice for Tanzanite and is not a flaw. It simply unlocks the gem's inherent beauty, allowing it to showcase its true potential.
Clarity: The clarity of the stone can also affect its color. Inclusions or fractures can scatter light and cause the color to appear less vibrant.
In the world of gemstones, clarity refers to the number and visibility of natural imperfections within a stone, also called inclusions. These can be anything from tiny mineral crystals to fractures. Let's delve deeper into the fascinating world of tanzanite clarity. Similar to other gemstones, tanzanite clarity is graded using a standardized system. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classifies Tanzanite as a Type I gemstone, signifying that it typically displays excellent clarity, often free of visible inclusions to the naked eye.
Tanzanite, a captivating gemstone renowned for its mesmerizing color play, requires meticulous cutting to reveal its full potential. Unlike diamonds, which have standardized "ideal" cuts, tanzanite's unique characteristics demand custom tailoring for each individual stone. This process maximizes its color, brilliance, and durability. The original shape of the rough tanzanite significantly influences the final cut. Skilled cutters analyze the rough stone, identifying its potential flaws and natural planes to determine the optimal cutting style.
Popular Tanzanite Cuts:
Round: This classic cut emphasizes the stone's brilliance and vibrancy, showcasing its mesmerizing color shifts.
Oval: The elongated shape of the oval cut enhances the richness of the tanzanite's color, making it a popular choice for pendants, rings and earrings.
Cushion: This cut offers a balance between brilliance and color, showcasing a beautiful blend of blue and violet hues.
Emerald: Similar to the emerald cut used for diamonds, this cut features elongated rectangular facets that highlight the clarity and color intensity of tanzanite.
Princess: Offering a modern and sophisticated look, the princess cut features a square outline with brilliant facets that showcase the tanzanite's fire and color.
The ideal cut for your tanzanite depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Consider factors such as desired size, color intensity and brilliance. Consulting a reputable jeweler with expertise in tanzanite can assist you in selecting the perfect cut for your unique stone.
Carat weight is one of the four C's used to evaluate the quality and value of gemstones, along with color, clarity and cut. In the case of tanzanite, carat weight can be particularly important, as it affects the stone's color, size, and overall appearance.
Larger tanzanites, typically above 3 carats, are more likely to exhibit vibrant, saturated colors. Smaller stones under 3 carats may appear paler or less saturated.
Tanzanites sometimes occur in extremely large sizes, with faceted gems of hundreds of carats in existence. The most popular sizes for jewelry use are those below 20 carats.
If you were curious about tanzanite before, you may have heard about "D-Block" Tanzanite. Usually it means best blue color and best quality. It comes from the Four "Blocks" of tanzanite mines that exist in the small area of Tanzania. I asked some colleagues from the mining area, but nobody could confirm this. There’s no difference in quality between the blocks. Furthermore, there's no way to tell the difference between gems mined in the D-Block from gems originating in other areas. Anyway you may see this term quite often, when you come across tanzanites.
So, how much does tanzanite cost?
Prices for tanzanite can range from about $200 to over $2,000/carat. This can vary greatly, with the rarest and most sought-after pieces selling for much higher prices. For quite good quality 1 carat tanzanite gemstone, the price ranges from $300 to $425/carat. However, each gemstone would cost between $450 to $650/carat for 2 carat sizes. For 3 carats and more extensive ranges, it would cost $650 to $750/carat. Therefore, in Tanzania, tanzanite is seen to be a good investment.
Also, good to know that Tanzanite has never been synthesized, but a number of imitations do exist. The most common is blue-violet glass. Synthetic forsterite has also been used as an imitation.
Tanzanite’s rarity, coupled with its vibrant hues and captivating pleochroism, makes it a coveted treasure. But navigating the tanzanite market can be daunting for the uninitiated. This guide aims to demystify all basic factors about this gem with the help of TrueGems store for your tanzanite needs.