Tanzanite, a stunning gemstone known for its striking blue-violet hues, has garnered significant attention in the jewelry market due to its rarity and captivating beauty. Since its discovery in the late 1960s, the price of tanzanite has fluctuated, reflecting factors such as demand, quality, and the limited geographic location from which it is mined. As collectors and enthusiasts increasingly seek out this unique gem, understanding the pricing dynamics becomes essential for anyone looking to invest in or purchase tanzanite jewelry, making it not only a beautiful choice but also a valuable one.
The Rise of Tanzanite’s Popularity
Unlike most gemstones that have been known for centuries, tanzanite is relatively new, discovered in the 1960s. Maasai herders found blue crystals in the Merelani Hills near Arusha, Tanzania, while herding livestock. They informed a prospector named Manuel d’Souza, who quickly registered mining claims. Initially mistaking the crystals for sapphires, d’Souza soon realized they were a blue variety of zoisite, a mineral known since the early 1800s.
Tiffany & Co. saw potential in this blue gem as a competitor to the more expensive sapphire. They became its primary distributor and renamed it Tanzanite, highlighting its Tanzanian origins. Tiffany & Co. launched a promotional campaign for Tanzanite in 1968.
By the time the Tanzanian government nationalized the mines in 1971, approximately two million carats of tanzanite had been mined. In 1990, the government divided the mines into four sections. Tanzanite One Mining, the largest producer globally, holds rights to Block C, which is larger than all the other blocks combined.
An independent study in 2012 reported that Block C’s deposits could be depleted within 30 years at a production rate of 2.7 million carats per year.
Notable Personalities and Their Tanzanite Jewelry
In recent years, tanzanite has drawn the attention of several celebrities, both personally and on-screen. Here are a few notable examples:
Jay-Z gifted Beyonce a breathtaking 10+ carat high-quality tanzanite ring to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy.
The iconic necklace worn by Kate Winslet in the blockbuster Titanic was rumored to be a 28-carat heart-shaped tanzanite rather than a diamond due to its intense blue hue.
Anne Hathaway donned tanzanite and diamond earrings at a past Oscar ceremony, complementing her blue Giorgio Armani dress.
Factors Influencing Tanzanite Costs
Tanzanite stands out among gemstones for its unique color and rarity.
Pricing Dynamics
Like other gemstones, tanzanite’s value is influenced by its carat weight, color, cut, and clarity. Depending on quality, the price per carat ranges between $100 and $800. Understanding these factors helps you determine the grade that’s most important to you.
Carat Weight
Tanzanite’s value is less influenced by carat weight than gems like ruby, sapphire, emerald, or diamond. Price per carat increases at 1.00 carat, 2.00 carats, and 3.00 carats, peaking at 3.00 carats, with minimal changes up to 20 carats.
Color
The color of tanzanite significantly impacts its quality. Natural purple and blue tanzanites are the most valuable since most are heat-treated. The most sought-after color after that is violet blue. Light blues and purples are more common and less valuable. Due to tanzanite’s pleochroism, the cutting direction affects its overall face-up color. Tanzanite is also trichroic, meaning it radiates blue, violet, and red colors from each of its crystallographic axes in its rough form due to its chemical structure.
Cut
The cut of tanzanite can either bring it to life or make it appear dull, even if the color is stunning. Ensuring the cut’s symmetry is crucial as some cuts prioritize weight. Thick girdles and bulky pavilions can make setting difficult, increasing the risk of the stone being lost or breaking during the setting process.
Clarity
Tanzanites are typically clean, and visible inclusions greatly reduce their value. Many fine jewelry pieces have tanzanites with inclusions only visible under magnification. Eye-visible inclusions indicate lower-quality tanzanite. Be wary of inclusions that might pose durability issues, such as fractures, as they significantly lower value.
The Allure of Tanzanite
Tanzanite may lack the long history of other gemstones, but its rarity, increasing popularity, and coveted color make it exceptional. It is said to be 1,000 times rarer than diamonds as it is found in only one small area of the world.
FAQs
Are tanzanites expensive?
Given its rarity and exclusive geographic origin, tanzanite is a valuable gemstone. Prices per carat range from $100 to $800, depending on quality.
Does tanzanite have any resale value?
Tanzanite holds collective value due to its scarcity. As the mine’s supply diminishes, expected to be exhausted in the next decade, this gemstone’s value is predicted to rise.
Is tanzanite more expensive than sapphire?
Although rarer, tanzanite is relatively inexpensive compared to sapphire. Its resemblance to sapphire makes it a popular choice among jewelry collectors and a good investment.
What’s special about tanzanite?
Tanzanite is renowned for its intense blue and violet hue. Being trichroic, it radiates three different colors—blue, violet, and red—from each of its crystallographic axes in its rough form.
