Described as 'a geological phenomenon', tanzanite is 1,000 times more rare than diamonds. Tanzanite jewellery is extremely valuable and coveted, both for the gem's rarity, as well as its beauty.
From the way they're priced and valued to how they're shown off in jewelry, tanzanite has a lot in common with other gemstones. But its rarity, exclusivity, and exquisite color makes tanzanite a truly unique investment piece for your collection.
The supply of tanzanite is finite. Geologists estimate that the source will be depleted in a decade or so.
Found solely in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Tanzanite mines are expected to run out in the next decades making it a collectible asset that will continue to gain value over time. Top-grade fine Tanzanites are becoming increasingly rare, thus their value is highly interlinked with rarity.
It is noteworthy that Tanzanites in grades SI and higher have impurities that are visible to the naked eye and are sold at comparatively lower prices.
For richly colored AAA Tanzanite, 1ct is approximately worth $200-$350 per carat. 2ct sizes reach $400-$550 per carat. 3 carats and up will reach $500-$675 per carat. The changes taking place in Tanzania makes tanzanite a very good investment stone.
Tanzanite is a recipient of various titles like, “the most beautiful blue gem” and “the most important gem discovery in 2000 years.” It's therefore no surprise that this beaming bluish-violet gem is highly sought-after. However, due to traditional classification, tanzanite still falls under the semi-precious category.
(Like many gemstones, most tanzanite is cut in Jaipur.) The reason for the ban is to attempt to spur development of local processing facilities, thereby boosting the economy and recouping profits.
For some wearers, tanzanite may cause lethargy, which makes sense considering all the life-changing revelations you may experience. A side effect of the healing process is that tanzanite can bring up repressed feelings, emotions, and memories that the wearer might not be ready for.
From the durability point of view, sapphire is clearly the winner. Tanzanite, on the other hand, needs more care because it isn't as tough and also has the 'gemstone cleavage'.
Our view remains that the more ubiquitous qualities of Tanzanite, the medium and medium/fine grade colors will always be more susceptible to the vagaries of the market but the very finest stones will always hold their value and experience steady price inflation due to their rarity and burgeoning demand.
Due to this unique singular event and the recent active foraging in the region, Tanzanite mines are expected to run out in the next 10 to 20 years. As our generation is the last with the opportunity to acquire first-hand Tanzanite, Tiffany & Co. has granted it the name 'The Gem of a Generation'.
Alternative Gemstone Options
Lolite is a suitable substitute for Tanzanite that gives off a similar appearance.
The most sought after color are intense blues. Any colors outside this range are less valuable and not as rare and the deep colored purple and blue Tanzanite gemstones. Unheated Tanzanite is brown in color and doesn't get it's blue and purple colors until it is heat treated.
Buyer's Guide
Fine tanzanite's strong pleochroism and intense violet-to-blue face up colors help identify the gem and provide a large part of its value. Paler colors are more commonly found and less valued. Eye visible inclusions also cause a drop in value.
Having said that, tanzanites with a dominant blue color are considered to be the most valuable of the lot. This is primarily because the blue variety is quite rare and is, therefore, more likely to yield a higher return (from the investment point of view).
Tanzanite can fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Having said that, when viewed under a jeweler's loupe, tanzanites usually display several inclusions. For the most accurate result, hold the stone against the light and view it through a 10x jewelers loupe. If you can't find any flaws, it could mean that your stone is a fake.
However, everyone can wear this stone. It cannot be associated with one particular planet. It has no negative effects. This gem has not been given too much of astrological importance, but its utility can be seen in beauty and medical benefits.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TANZANITE
Tanzanite has been attributed with qualities of good luck and prosperity, and associated with celebrations of new life and new beginnings. Tanzanite's only known source in the world is a 4km strip of land near Mount Kilimanjaro, northern Tanzania.
Cubic Zirconia, Synthetic Spinel, Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), and Glass. These imitations have also been widely used as counterfeit Tanzanite and can usually be easily distinguished as they are all singly refractive while Tanzanite is doubly refractive.
And last, but not least, Sapphire are generally more expensive than Tanzanite, especially in larger sizes. This is due to the rarity vs demand, though Tanzanite, being found in just one area of the world, could easily become much more valuable in the future.
Saturation refers to the intensity of depth if color of the gemstone. Once the color is established, the saturation grade is given based upon how strong the color is refracting. For Tanzanite, a grade of 6 would be ideal.
On this scale, the tanzanite has a rating of 6 to 7, which means that while it isn't extremely weak, it can get damaged if hit hard enough. In addition to this, tanzanite also displays the perfect cleavage, which means that it can break if subjected to a hard blow.
Cooler toned metals such as silver, platinum or white gold create a dramatic and icy look, magnificently contrasting against tanzanite's blue shades to enhance its color. Yellow or rose gold will elevate your tanzanite centerpiece with their warmth, revealing more purple and red colors within the stone.