The ultimate guide to its beauty and value of Tanzanite, a captivating gem found only in Tanzania, captures the admiration of enthusiasts with its vivid colors and limited availability. Discovered in the 1960s, it has rapidly gained popularity and is now one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. In this article, we’ll discover the incredible allure and value of tanzanite stone and learn what sets this precious stone apart.
Discovery of Tanzanite Stone
The discovery of Tanzanite stone is relatively recent and quite interesting. In 1967, on the surface of the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro, Maasai herders stumbled upon beautiful blue crystals. They realized something special about these stones, gathered them, and took them to the prospector Manuel D’Souza. He initially mistook these blue crystals for sapphires and was taken aback by their uniqueness. Further examination revealed that the stones were a new variety of the mineral zoisite—and thus, tanzanite was born.
Tanzanite’s striking color, ranging from deep blue to violet with flashes of red, is caused by the presence of vanadium and heat treatment. This treatment deepens its natural tones. One of its most fascinating traits is its trichroic nature, meaning it can display three distinct colors—blue, red-violet, and yellow-green—depending on the viewing angle.
Significance of Tanzanite Stone
As tanzanite belongs to the zoisite mineral family, it is known for its vibrant hues and brilliance. Its vivid beauty makes it ideal for jewelry like tanzanite pendants, rings, and earrings.
Moreover, tanzanite was added to the list of birthstones for December in 2002, sharing the month with turquoise and zircon.
In addition to its visual appeal and history, tanzanite is also regarded for its symbolic and metaphysical properties. It is believed to bring positivity, enhance focus and self-assurance, promoting mental clarity and concentration. Many also consider it helpful in easing anxiety and stress during challenging times. Moreover, tanzanite is thought to attract good fortune, success, and wealth. It may also help regulate spending habits and facilitate money saving.
Quality and Value of Tanzanite
The value and quality of this magnificent gem are based on four characteristics.
1. Color
The intensity and saturation of tanzanite’s color greatly enhance its value, with deeper hues being more valuable. Blue gems that exhibit a deep shade are considered the most valuable and command premium prices in the industry. While Stones with lighter or more muted colors are generally less valuable.
2. Clarity
Tanzanite stones without visible impurities are considered higher quality and command premium prices. Clarity grades range from flawless to heavily included. Though some of the minor inclusions like needles, feathers, and crystals do not necessarily diminish its appeal.
Despite common inclusions, tanzanite often exhibits exceptional transparency, allowing light to pass through the gem without significant obstruction. Gem cutters enhance the gem’s clarity during the cutting and polishing process to minimize the visibility of any inclusions and improve the stone’s overall shine.
3. Cut
The cut quality plays a central role in determining tanzanite’s value, with fine cuts being more valuable for brightness.
When it comes to well-known cuts, the round brilliant cut, oval, cushion, and the square-shaped princess cut are favorites. These cuts can elevate sparkle, making them popular choices for many jewelry styles like genuine tanzanite rings or earrings. Another elegant option is the emerald cut, which showcases a unique rectangular shape and stepped facets.
The precision of a cut, particularly its symmetry, is also vital as it influences the stone’s positioning and the uniformity of its facets. It leads to the gem’s overall appearance and allure. Whether you opt for a round or a princess cut, the excellence of the cut influences aesthetic worth and investment quality.
4. Carat Weight
Larger tanzanite stones are rare and more valuable, especially if they maintain deep color and clarity.
5. Heat Treatments
Tanzanite is usually heat-treated, but unlike sapphires or rubies, the process doesn’t use extreme heat to change its grade. They heat at extremely high temperatures to alter the actual grade of a gemstone.
In the case of tanzanite, the heating process doesn’t enhance its color saturation levels; it simply removes the red/brown tones, leaving the blue/violet. For example, a medium-grade stone will appear lightish brown before heating and a medium pale blue/violet after heating. A top-grade piece will be a deeply saturated brown before heating and a deep blue/violet after heating.
6. Durability
With a rating around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite is softer than some other gemstones like diamonds and sapphires. This makes it moderately durable but still suitable for everyday wear. It requires careful handling and protection to prevent scratching or damage.
7. Pairing with Metals
Silver and platinum settings complement the cooler tones of tanzanite, effectively highlighting its deep blue to violet hues. For lighter stones, rose gold can highlight the warmer undertones in Tanzanite, creating a visually striking contrast.
Platinum and white gold are elegant choices that enhance gem’s sophistication, making them excellent for high-end jewelry pieces like genuine tanzanite earrings.
8. Certification
Whether you buy tanzanite online or in-store, always choose trusted and reputable jewelers who provide authentic certification. For online shopping, you can contact GemsNY, which offers a genuine certificate of authenticity with every order.
Final Thoughts
From its alluring color shades to its rarity, tanzanite stone stands out as a remarkable gem. Whether you’re considering it for custom jewelry pieces or ready-made pieces, make sure to consider the key factors discussed above.
If you are looking for superior quality jewelry, visit www.gemsny.com. Go through the elaborate product details to judge the carat weight, grading, color, and clarity of your piece. Also, make sure to go through GemsNY reviews for confidently adding this marvellous gemstone to your collection.
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