Tanzanite: Does this stone ring a bell? The world of gemology is full of nature's little wonders. In this post, we'll cover the essentials about tanzanite. Discover the origin and properties of this gem, which is relatively unknown to the general public.
What is tanzanite?
This intensely blue or purple stone comes from the Manyara Region in northern Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is its natural habitat and, to this day, is also its only known deposit. This means that this stone is very rare, expensive, and, above all, very scarce.
Its exclusivity is the main reason for the high price this stone reaches, also known as "the indigo diamond" because of its rarity.
Tanzanite properties
Tanzanite comes from the mineral zoisite, discovered in the Mererani Hills by a gold prospector. He had to show the gem to numerous gemology experts to identify the stone. When the discovery was finally recognized as Blue zoisite , the jewelry house Tiffany & Co. acquired its commercialization under the name "tanzanite".
Between 1967 and 1972, approximately two million carats of Tanzanite were mined in Tanzania before the mines were nationalized by the government.
The world's largest tanzanite
“The world’s largest cut tanzanite weighs 737.81 carats. One of the most famous specimens (242 carats) is called “The Queen of Kilimanjaro.” It is set in a tiara, enhanced by 803 brilliant-cut tsavorite garnets and 913 diamonds. The piece is part of the private collection of Michael Scott, Apple’s first CEO.” (According to Wikipedia)
Let's talk about numbers
Tanzanite mining brings in around €15 million annually for the Tanzanian government. Its main buyer is the United States.
Its price varies depending on its grade, color, and purity. Because it is a truly rare stone, its price is high. The price per carat ranges between 240 euros even more than 1,086 euros depending on its purity and color.
