No, tanzanite is not found in Australia; it is exclusively found in a tiny region in the Mererani Hills of northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro, making it one of the world's rarest gemstones. While Australian jewelers sell tanzanite, the stones themselves originate from Tanzania, where unique geological conditions created this blue-purple zoisite variety.
Tanzanite is a comparatively new gemstone to the market, having only been discovered in 1967. What makes it unique is that so far it has only ever been found in one location; the Mererani Hills of the Manyana Region of Northern Tanzania, situated near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The rarest and most valuable gem in Australia is the Black Opal, primarily found in Lightning Ridge, NSW, known for its deep color and vibrant "play-of-color," making it highly sought after globally. While Australia produces most of the world's opals, high-quality black opal is exceptionally scarce due to unique geological conditions, making it Australia's national gemstone and a symbol of rarity.
Tanzanite is only found in Simanjiro District of Manyara Region in Tanzania, in a very small mining area approximately 7 km (4.3 mi) long and 2 km (1.2 mi) wide near the Mererani Hills.
Pricing. Like other gemstones, factors impact its quality, such as its carat weight, color, cut and clarity. The price per carat for tanzanite ranges between $100 and $800 depending on the quality.
Tanzanite stone needs heat treatment to enhance its color but the 1% of naturally blue tanzanite stone is the most valued gemstone. The natural blue hue makes it a rare gemstone and looks striking when used in making blue tanzanite jewelry pieces or sold as a December gemstone.
Lighter stones or those that look too purple may be lower quality—or not tanzanite at all. Pleochroism: Real tanzanite displays pleochroism, showing multiple colors when rotated in light. This effect is one of the clearest signs you're dealing with the real thing.
Can anyone wear tanzanite jewelry? Yes, anyone can wear tanzanite jewelry.
Experts believe that within the next 10 to 12 years, the supply of Tanzanite will decrease, and eventually, Tanzania's supply of Tanzanite will run out, and the magnificent gem will become depleted.
Merelani Hills: The Home of Tanzanite
The Merelani Hills, nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of northern Tanzania, are the exclusive birthplace of Tanzanite. This remote and rugged region, located at the foothills of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, is where the world's most coveted Tanzanite gemstones are unearthed.
Australia is home to the world's highest quality, precious opal. The most famous is black opal from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. Black opal has a colour play of red, green, blue, violet, magenta or yellow against a dark background.
You should avoid pairing crystals with opposite energies (like calming Amethyst with stimulating Citrine or Tiger's Eye), strong amplifiers like Clear Quartz with subtle stones, or physically soft stones like Malachite with water-based stones like Selenite to prevent energy clashes or damage, but personal intuition and specific intentions are key, as some pairings can be intentional. Common incompatible pairs include Carnelian & Amethyst (energy conflict), Rose Quartz & Black Tourmaline (love overwhelmed), and Blue Lace Agate & Red Jasper (neutralized effects).
Iron ore is Australia's top export. Australia produces low cost, high grade iron ore with our biggest iron ore deposits located in Western Australia.
Though it's more rare than diamond, tanzanite is considered much less valuable thanks to its relatively recent discovery and much lower demand.
Tanzania. No surprise, Tanzania tops this list as this country in Africa is the only source of sourcing this blue jewel. A city named Arusha is the hub for jewelers who can offer various specifications of Tanzanite and its jewelry.
Similarly, the tanzanite mines—near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania—shuttered operations largely due to resource depletion and tightening regulations focused on environmental protection and local community welfare.
The Aquamarine name comes from the Latin word for seawater and is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It is sometimes referred to as a poor man's diamond because of the pale color.
TANZANITE: ONE THOUSAND TIMES RARER THAN A DIAMOND.
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. Whenever you practice crystal healing, be sure to acquaint yourself with the potential side effects of each gem before beginning.
Citrine. Citrine is a sunny and bright gemstone that is well-known for its good luck properties. A yellow variety of quartz, Citrine famously received its name from the Old French word for lemon.
The top 5 rarest birthstones often include Alexandrite (June) for its color change, Tanzanite (December) due to its single-location source, Ruby (July) for rare high-quality red, Emerald (May) for clarity, and high-quality/colored Diamonds (April), with special varieties like Red Diamonds, Paraíba Tourmaline (October), or natural Pearls (June) also ranking high, depending on the specific quality and type considered.
Tanzanite happens to be a semi-precious gemstone that is far rarer than diamonds and yet is valued far less than the hardest substance known to man.
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.
Gems that possess this feature appear to have different colors when viewed from different angles. But keep in mind that tanzanites with a strong blue hue are usually considered more valuable than those with violet or purple as their dominant color.