Is AAA+ Tanzanite the best?

Unlikely – this is not a reliable grading system.

An AAA+ rating is not a protected quality mark in the gemstone world; every jeweller is free to establish their own rating criteria. When selecting a gemstone, it is therefore best to allow your own careful assessment to guide you.

Gemstone traders use the term “Triple A” between themselves to describe the quality of tanzanite, where “A” refers to good tanzanite, “AA” designates middle quality, and “AAA” is the best.  There’s no science behind it, but it works between professionals: these are people who trade tanzanite daily, and whose income depends upon their good reputation in a very small and tight-knit industry. They have to describe their stock accurately and keep their word if they want to stay in business.

However, the term is also frequently used by online traders whose customers are not gemstone experts, and who don’t have the same accountability. 90% of the time, the term “AAA+ tanzanite” is used incorrectly and simply implies a good-quality stone. Whether that is done out of ignorance or deliberate deception entirely depends upon the trader – but buyers should be aware that such claims have no scientific basis and are not a guarantee of quality. This fact makes it very important for consumers to buy from a trusted source.