What you need to know about tanzanite stone price, colour, shape and origin?

Introduction

Tanzanite is a very new mineral that can only be found in one location on the planet. This blue-violet zoisite variant was named after Tanzania, where it was initially discovered in 1967. Cutters can manufacture gems with a spectrum of hues from violetish blue to bluish violet, depending on how much weight they want to reclaim. The crystals exhibit different colours based on the viewing orientation.

Tanzanite is a gemstone with a vitreous lustre and an Orthorhombic crystal structure. Because the hardness of this gemstone is not as great as that of diamond, it is easily scratched. According to the Mohs hardness scale, Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. Tiffany & Co. named the gemstone Tanzanite after Tanzania, the nation where it was discovered.

Origin of the tanzanite

Tanzanite is a newcomer to the world of colourful stones. According to the most popular version of the tanzanite mining boom, a Masai tribesman discovered a cluster of clear, vivid violet-to-blue crystals weathering out of the ground near Merelani, Tanzania, in 1967. He notified Manuel d'Souza, a local fortune hunter, who immediately lodged four mining claims. D'Souza was hoping to be shown a fresh sapphire deposit. Instead, the deposit held one of the world's most recent diamonds.

In a few days, another 90 claims surfaced in the same 20-square-mile region. Nobody knew what the magnificent gems were, but everyone wanted a piece of the money they were sure to bring in. The new gem would ultimately be known as tanzanite, and its popularity would rival that of the Big Three at times.

Tiffany & Company saw its potential as a worldwide seller and agreed to become its primary distributor. Tiffany called the diamond after the nation from whence it was mined and promoted it heavily in 1968. Tanzanite became popular with top jewellery designers and other gem experts, and buyers who appreciated beautiful and unique stones almost overnight.

What is tanzanite used for?

Tanzanite is a well-known jewellery gemstone that belongs to the Zoisite mineral family. Bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are all made using it. However, it is less commonly used in rings because of its insufficient hardness, making it scratch-prone.

Tanzanite stone price

For a 1ct Tanzanite gemstone, the price ranges from $ 300 to $425 per carat. However, each gemstone would cost between $ 450 and $ 650 per carat for 2ct sizes. For 3ct and more extensive ranges, it would cost $ 650 to $ 750 per carat. Therefore, in Tanzania, Tanzanite is seen to be a good investment. 

Tanzanite colour

Colourless, grey, yellow, brown, pink, green, blue, and violet are only some of the natural hues of the mineral zoisite. The term "tanzanite" refers to a zoisite colour variation that spans from blue to violet to violetish purple. It's fairly uncommon for a colour variation to have a name like this. For red to slightly purplish red specimens of the mineral corundum, the word "ruby" is used; for purple specimens of the crystal quartz, the name "amethyst" is used; and for green specimens of the mineral beryl, the name "emerald" is used.

Each of these minerals comes in a variety of different hues. In the 1960s, the discovery of clear blue zoisite crystals sparked interest in the gem. Laboratory tests soon after that finding revealed that heating might enhance the hue of some naturally blue stones. They also discovered that heating might turn some naturally brown or green zoisite (tanzanite!) into a magnificent blue zoisite. There would be enough tanzanite found as a result of these discoveries to fund a marketing campaign that would expose the gem to millions of people.

What imparts this beautiful blue glow to the tanzanite?

Small quantities of vanadium inside the zoisite mineral structure give tanzanite its blue hue. The oxidation state of vanadium is altered when vanadium-bearing zoisite is heated to 600 degrees Celsius for around 30 minutes, and this change creates or improves the blue hue. When compared to what is done to gems like rubies and sapphires, tanzanite's heat treatment is relatively gentle.

These jewels may be heated to temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1800 degrees Celsius and kept there for days or weeks. Almost all "tanzanite" stones sold today have a blue hue that has been manufactured or increased by heating. A tiny quantity of tanzanite on the market has a blue hue created spontaneously by metamorphism heat without any human intervention.

The shape of the tanzanite stone

The inherent lattice of tanzanite allows it to be cut in various ways, from conventional to extravagant. However, because tanzanite is so uncommon, cutters attempt to conserve as much of the rough stone as possible. This is why round and cushion cuts in jewellery are so popular. In addition, because tanzanite changes colour when exposed to light, the orientation of the cut is generally chosen to maximise the gem's natural reflections and colour.

Buy high-quality tanzanite stone at affordable prices.

The consultants at IrisGems are highly qualified and experienced. Upon viewing, they present consumers with the Certificate of Authentication, ensuring that the information given is precise and that your chosen gemstone was sourced fairly and ethically. We at Iris gems, the most trusted tanzanite supplier in the USA, help you provide a clear picture of the gemstones and wisely decide before investing in precious gemstones.

We ensure the best quality and prices of gemstones. We provide you with GIA certified tanzanite stones at IrisGems and offer you a never before seen collection, which is sure to blow your mind.