1st - Gold 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 
Capricorn - Garnet 
Aquarius - Amethyst 
Pisces - Aquamarine 
Aries - Diamond 
Taurus - Emerald 
Gemini - Pearl 
Cancer - Ruby 
Leo - Peridot 
Virgo - Blue Sapphire 
Libra - Opal 
Scorpio - Topaz 
Sagittarius - Tanzanite 
Tanzanite
Buyer’s Guide
Quality, Composition, Colour & Value Explained
Discover how colour, clarity, treatments and cut influence tanzanite value, and learn what truly determines quality before choosing your ideal violet-blue gemstone.
A complete professional Tanzanite Buyer’s Guide to understanding this gemstone’s quality, origin, treatments and value factors before purchasing.
History, Symbolism & Meaning of Tanzanite
Origins and Historical Use
Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills near Arusha, Tanzania, the only known source in the world. Its striking violet-blue colour quickly captured international attention, and Tiffany & Co. introduced it to the global market in 1968, coining the name “tanzanite” after its country of origin.
Although relatively new to the gemstone scene, tanzanite has become highly prized for its vivid and unique colour, rare occurrence, and association with luxury and elegance.
Ancient Beliefs and Spiritual Energy
Tanzanite is believed to inspire calm, spiritual awareness, and higher consciousness. Its striking blue-violet hues are associated with the third-eye and crown chakras, supporting intuition, creativity, and emotional balance.
Collectors and enthusiasts regard tanzanite as a stone that encourages insight, self-expression, and transformative energy, making it highly desirable for jewellery with both aesthetic and spiritual significance.
Modern Symbolism and Collectibility
Today, tanzanite is celebrated for its vibrant colour, rarity, and metaphysical properties. It is the December birthstone and often gifted to mark 24th wedding anniversaries. Collectors prize high-quality stones for their deep saturation and exceptional clarity.
Because tanzanite is found in only one location worldwide, it is considered a finite and valuable gemstone, increasingly sought after by investors, collectors, and jewellery connoisseurs.
Physical & Optical Properties
Explore Tanzanite’s Hardness, Lustre, Transparency, Refractive Index and Specific Gravity.
Understanding the gemological properties of tanzanite helps determine durability, brilliance and long-term wear suitability.
Colour Range
Tanzanite occurs in shades of: Blue-violet, Violet-blue, Light bluish-purple. The most valuable stones display a strong, vivid, saturated blue with violet undertones and minimal brown or grey tint.
Chemical Formula
Tanzanite has the Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH) chemical formula and is a variety of the mineral zoisite. Trace elements, including vanadium, contribute to its distinctive colour.
Composition
Calcium, Aluminium & Silicon – trace elements (vanadium) produce violet-blue colour.
Refractive Index
1.69 – 1.70, providing a sparkling brilliance and light reflection typical of high-quality gemstones.
Lustre
Vitreous, giving a bright, glass-like surface shine.
Moh's Hardness & Durability
Tanzanite has a Mohs hardness of 6.5 – 7, making it moderately durable. While suitable for pendants and earrings, protective settings are recommended for rings to prevent chipping.
Crystal System
Its crystal system is orthorhombic, forming prismatic crystals often exhibiting strong pleochroism, showing different colours from different angles.
Transparency
Transparent to translucent, with the finest stones being eye-clean and highly transparent.
Mineral Family
Tanzanite belongs to the zoisite (sorosilicate) mineral family.
Specific Gravity
3.35, reflecting its relatively dense crystal structure compared with other gemstones.
Origin, Treatment & Care
Tanzanite is exclusively mined in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania. Almost all commercial tanzanite is heat-treated to enhance the deep blue-violet colour. Awareness of origin and treatment is essential for evaluating value and authenticity. Proper care ensures tanzanite jewellery maintains its brilliance for decades.
Major Origins
Tanzania is the sole source of tanzanite. The Merelani Hills produce a range of quality grades, with deeper, more saturated stones commanding the highest prices.
Treatments
Nearly all tanzanite is heat-treated to remove brownish tones and bring out the vivid blue-violet colour. This treatment is stable and permanent under normal wear conditions.
Care and Cleaning
Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning. Clean tanzanite gently using warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Store separately to prevent scratching, especially from harder stones like diamonds.
How Tanzanite Quality & Value Are Determined
Understanding tanzanite grading is essential for informed buying. Value is influenced primarily by colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. When these factors align, the gemstone displays exceptional beauty and desirability.
Colour
Colour is the dominant value factor for tanzanite. The finest stones display a deep, vivid blue-violet hue with strong saturation. High-quality tanzanite typically exhibits:
- Rich, vibrant blue-violet tone
- Even colour distribution throughout the stone
- Minimal brown or grey undertones
- High transparency and brightness
Pale or overly dark stones reduce the gemstone’s overall appeal. Top-tier tanzanite shows a strong, velvety colour from all angles due to its pleochroism.
Clarity
Tanzanite usually forms clean crystals, with high-quality stones being:
- Eye-clean (no visible inclusions without magnification)
- Free from surface-reaching fractures
- Transparent with strong light transmission
Inclusions, while sometimes present, can lower the brilliance and overall value if too prominent.
Cut
Cutting enhances tanzanite’s brilliance and showcases its pleochroic colour. Important considerations include:
- Proper facet alignment
- Symmetry and proportion
- Polished, smooth surfaces
- Depth optimised to display the best colour
Cushion, oval, and trillion cuts are popular, although brilliant cuts are also used to maximise light return.
Carat Weight
Larger tanzanite stones are rarer and command higher prices, especially when colour and clarity are excellent.
- Smaller, high-quality stones may be more valuable than larger, lower-quality stones
- Consistent colour saturation is critical in larger sizes
- Stones over 5 carats are increasingly rare and sought after
The Balance of the Four Factors
Value is determined by how colour, clarity, cut and carat weight interact. A premium tanzanite gemstone should display:
Eye-clean clarity
Well-proportioned and polished cut
Deep, vivid blue-violet colour
Balanced size and brightness
When these elements are combined, tanzanite becomes an extraordinary gemstone of lasting allure.
International Pricing Trends – per carat
Tanzanite is rare and highly sought after, with prices rising steeply for larger, richly coloured, and eye-clean stones. Understanding pricing trends ensures informed purchasing decisions.
Estimated Average International Tanzanite Prices (Good Quality) – Per Carat
| Weight | ZAR | USD | EUR | JPY | GBP | AUD | CAD | CHF | CNY | HKD | NZD | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 carat | Size is widely available | |||||||||||
| 1 - 2 carat | Increasingly popular | |||||||||||
| 2 - 3 carats | Strong demand | |||||||||||
| 3 - 4 carats | Remain desirable | |||||||||||
| 4 - 6 carats | Scarcer in larger sizes | |||||||||||
| 6 - 8 carats | Exceptional stones |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tanzanite a rare gemstone?
Yes. Tanzanite is only found in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, making it a highly rare and sought-after gemstone.
Why is tanzanite blue-violet?
Its unique colour comes from trace elements, primarily vanadium, and is enhanced by heat treatment, which removes brownish tones.
Are all tanzanites heat-treated?
Almost all tanzanite stones on the market are heat-treated to enhance their blue-violet colour. This treatment is permanent under normal wear.
Can tanzanite be used in everyday jewellery?
Yes, but caution is needed. Tanzanite is moderately hard and can be scratched or chipped, so protective settings are recommended for rings.
How is tanzanite value determined?
The four key factors are colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. Colour saturation is the most important determinant of value.
What is the best cut for tanzanite?
Cuts that maximise colour and brilliance, such as cushion, oval, trillion, or brilliant cuts, are preferred, with careful attention to depth and symmetry.
Buy With Confidence
Professionally inspected gemstones
Full transparency on treatments
Worldwide shipping
Secure checkout
Ready to own the beauty of
TANZANITE?
Now that you understand the history, symbolism and quality factors behind tanzanite, the natural next step is to secure your own gemstone. Celebrated for its vibrant blue-violet colour, exceptional rarity, and refined elegance, tanzanite is perfect for rings, pendants, and bespoke jewellery. Combining beauty, exclusivity, and enduring value, tanzanite is a remarkable addition to any fine gemstone collection.
Violet-Blue Elegance
Rare & Unique
Spiritual Insight
COMPARE GEMSTONES WITH CONFIDENCE
Gemstone Comparison Guides
Choosing between two beautiful gemstones can be challenging. Our professional Gemstone Comparison Guides help you clearly understand the differences between popular gemstones so you can make a confident and informed choice.
Each comparison explores the key factors that influence gemstone quality and value, including colour, clarity, durability, rarity and typical treatments. You will also learn how similar-looking gemstones differ in appearance, composition, hardness and more.
HERE IS ALL THE PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION YOU NEED
Gemstone Buyer's Guides
Buying a gemstone should be exciting — but understanding quality, rarity and value is essential before making the right choice. Our professional Gemstone Buyer’s Guides help you understand how colour, clarity, cut and treatments influence the beauty and value of different gemstones.
Each guide explains the key quality factors used by gemologists, including gemstone composition, colour grading, natural inclusions, treatments and origin. You will also learn how these factors affect rarity, durability and market value.
Beryl Family
Feldspar Gemstones
Pyroxene Gemstones
Spodumene Family
Chalcedony & Agate
Quartz Gemstones
Amethyst
Ametrine
Citrine
Prasiolite
Quartz
Rose Quartz
Rutile Quartz
Smoky Quartz
Rare & Collector Gemstones
Apatite
Chrysoberyl
Clinozoisite
Fluorite
Grandidierite
Iolite
Jade
Kyanite
Lapis Lazuli
Phosphosiderite
Prehnite
Serendibite
Sillimanite
Sphene
Sugilite
Vesuvianite