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All About Tanzanite

Hi, my name is Linda Kennedy. I’m the Gemologist for TanzaniteDirect.

The articles on this site represent the expertise and experience I’ve gained from grading thousands of tanzanites and working for the world’s largest tanzanite mining company.

I hope my condensed knowledge will help you learn more about tanzanite, avoid the most common pitfalls, and get the most value possible on your purchase.

TANZANITE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY GEMSTONE

The gem occurs only in only one place on Earth, and its supply is likely to run out by the end of the current generation. Tanzanite’s mesmerising blue, surrounded by a fine hint of violet, is unique in the world of gemstones. The idea of owning something that few others possess has always been at the forefront of what makes gems special – and given its uniqueness and rarity, tanzanite is a true luxury.

Tanzanite is found in only one place on earth, near Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. 

The entire tanzanite mining area is a tiny seven square kilometers in size.

Tiffany unveiled tanzanite in 1968, a mere year after its discovery, and named the gem after Tanzania, its birthplace and the only known source. The President of Tiffany & Co called the gem “the most beautiful blue stone to be discovered in nearly 2000 years.”

Tanzanite is the birthstone for December, and is also the gem for a 24th anniversary.

TANZANITE INFORMATION

COLOR

Tanzanite’s color is unique, as it shows two colors at once. Each tanzanite is always a unique mix of blue and violet.

Tanzanite’s color can range from pastel violets and blues, to very bright, intense royal blue-violet that rivals the finest sapphires. Learn more about color…

CUT

Unlike diamonds, which come in standardized cuts and similar shapes, every tanzanite is cut differently to maximize each stone’s beauty and unique color. Learn more about cut… 

CARAT WEIGHT & SIZE

As tanzanite’s dimensions vary, these gemstones are measured by carat weight as well as their face-up dimensions.  Learn more about carat weight…

CLARITY

A gemstone’s clarity has to do with the number and size of inclusions it contains. The fewer, smaller and less conspicuous the inclusions, the better. Learn more about clarity…

TANZANITE BUYING GUIDE

Learn how to judge and choose the perfect tanzanite gemstone. Avoid the most common pitfalls and get the most value possible on your purchase. 

Find out more…

 

TANZANITE FAQS

 

THE TANZANITE MINES

Tanzanite is only found in one place on Earth: a tiny area called Merelani located in a far-flung corner of Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. The entire area is only 7 kilometers long. It is mined by hundreds of small-scale miners who mainly use basic equipment, and several more modern, medium-sized companies. Whilst is obvious that the tanzanite supply is diminishing daily, no-one is sure exactly how long the deposit will last. In 2013, independent geologists assessed the largest tanzanite mine, Tanzanite One, as having only 30 years left. The smaller mines in the area remain unmeasured.

Aerial view of the world’s only tanzanite deposit. The whole area is only 7 km x 1 km.  In 1990, the Tanzanian Government split up the area into four blocks, named A through D.

TANZANITE DISCOVERY AND HISTORY

Tanzanite was only discovered in 1967, and introduced to the world in 1968 by Tiffany & Company, who called it “the most beautiful blue gemstone to be discovered in more than 2,000 years”. Learn more…

CARING FOR YOUR TANZANITE

While tanzanite is not as hard or as tough as sapphire, it can still be worn in all types of jewelry, with proper precautions against rough wearing or hard blows. Learn more…

GEOGRAPHICALLY AND GEOLOGICALLY RARE

Tanzanite is only found on one place on the globe.  Experts believe that the geological conditions required for tanzanite formation are so unfathomably random that the chances of another tanzanite deposit occurring anywhere else on Earth are extremely unlikely. Tanzanite’s single source and limited supply make it at least 1000 times rarer than diamond.

SEE THE SOURCE OF OUR TANZANITE – 

A WINDOW INTO THE YOUR GEMS JOURNEY

Every gemstone you see on our website can be traced right back to the mine where it was found. Come and visit the tanzanite mine in Merelani, Tanzania, where all our tanzanite comes from.

DISCOVER THE TANZANITE MINE

 

BLOG –PROFESSIONAL GEMOLOGIST INSIGHTS

This series of in-depth articles will help you get a greater understanding of tanzanite’s value and quality, as well as introduce you to some of the most frequently used technical terms. As there is a lot of conflicting information about tanzanite on the internet, we hope that these resources will help you make an informed choice and smart purchase. 

Are Our Prices Too Good to Be True?

Great question! When investing in tanzanite and jewelry online, savvy buyers  should be asking the hard questions to ensure they’re getting good value for their money. You also want to work with a company that has integrity and transparency—so feel free to ask away! We can definitely assure you that our prices genuinely reflect fantastic… View Article

Understanding the GIA Color Grading Process For Tanzanite

When a gemologist grades gemstones using the GIA Colored Stone Grading System, the gemstone’s color is graded using three components:  hue +  tone + saturation. The article below explains how the grades are given.   1 ) HUE – What color is the tanzanite? Is the tanzanite more blue or violet? When we use the term “color”,… View Article

Understanding the Best Color of Tanzanite

When you’re buying tanzanite and seeking “the best color,” what exactly does that mean? Tanzanite is celebrated for its stunning color range, making it a favorite among gemstone enthusiasts. From light sky blues and lilacs to deep indigos and royal blues, the color of tanzanite significantly influences its value. Lighter vs. Darker Tanzanite: Which One… View Article

What is “D block” Tanzanite ?

What is “D block” Tanzanite and is it better than tanzanite mined in the other blocks? The short answer is no. The only tanzanite deposit on our planet barely covers eight square miles, and “D Block” refers to one of the four blocks into which it was divided by the Tanzanian government. Legend has it… View Article

Understanding the color in jumbo investment sized tanzanite over 50 carats

  The tanzanites in this picture range from 50 to 200 carats and showcase an inky blue hue that is significantly darker than smaller stones. In fact, some large tanzanite can be so intensely blue that it approaches a nearly black appearance. As tanzanite sizes exceed 35 carats, carat weight and rarity become the primary… View Article

GIA “Tanzanite Reports” – How to read one & do you need one ?

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the leading laboratory in the diamond and gemstone industry, and their reports are known for their consistency and accuracy. However, GIA colored stone reports are quite different from their diamond reports and do not offer the same details to consumers looking for tanzanite grading information. Below are some… View Article

How soft is tanzanite ? Am I going to break my ring ?

Understanding Tanzanite’s Hardness and Care Reading online articles can make you feel apprehensive about using tanzanite in jewelry, but what are the actual facts? As a gemologist with years of experience working with tanzanite, I can provide some insights. Tanzanite ranks between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a relatively soft… View Article

GIA Tanzanite Color Grades: Understanding “VB 6/6”

Gemologists using the GIA Colored Stone Grading Scale typically grade fine-colored tanzanite as “GIA 5/6.” This rich and vibrant color is highly valued and widely appreciated. For connoisseurs of fine gems, the rarest grade—often referred to as “investment tanzanite”—is particularly sought after, comprising less than 1% of all production and graded as 6/6. How the… View Article

Is tanzanite running out ?

FACT: A Limited Supply of Tanzanite Remains Tanzanite is estimated to disappear within our lifetime. In 2013, independent geologists undertook research which estimated that TanzaniteOne, the largest tanzanite mining company in C Block, has no more than 30 years of mining left. No one is certain exactly how much unearthed tanzanite still remains, as data has not been… View Article

Does Tanzanite come in any other colors ?

PINK, PEACH, YELLOW, BLUE-GREEN, PURPLE TANZANITE (more correctly called “fancy zoisite”) Yes, there are many other colors in tanzanites family. Tanzanite is the name given to blue-violet examples of the mineral called zoisite. However, zoisite is found in many other colors, like green, purple and yellow. OCEAN TANZANITE Zoisite in a mix of blue and… View Article
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