Is Tanzanite a Precious Stone?

Since the 1800s, gemstones have been recognised as precious or semi-precious depending upon different factors that were established during that era. Even though there is no clear scientific backing to this, the same bifurcation continues to be followed till date.

So essentially, based on commercial demand created with the help of clever marketing, the jewellery industry’s four big gems, i.e., the diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire have been declared as precious. All the other jewels, including the tanzanite, are classified as semi-precious.

The History of Tanzanite Gemstone

Believe it or not, the tanzanite is a relatively new entry into the gemstone market. It was first unearthed in 1967 when lightning struck the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Later, when walking through the scorched area, a group of local Maasai tribesmen stumbled upon this gem in the form of violet-blue crystals. Word of the jewel’s enticing beauty spread and many of the locals believed that they had found a national treasure.

One of the tribesmen eventually alerted Manuel D’souza (a local fortune hunter) who immediately registered four different mining claims under his name. He had initially hoped that the crystals signaled the presence of a new sapphire deposit, however, it turned out to be a new variety of the mineral zoisite.

The jewel was eventually named ‘tanzanite’ to honour its sole place of origin – Tanzania, East Africa.

But Does That Mean the Tanzanite Stone Isn’t Special?

The stunning blue jewel, a relatively new entry in the glittering world of gemstones, was discovered in 1967. It was found in the form of violet-blue crystals by local Maasai tribesmen in Merelani Hills, near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It turned out to be a variety of the mineral zoisite and was named ‘tanzanite’ to honour its sole place of origin – Tanzania, East Africa.

Myths and Meanings Associated With Tanzanite

Because of the lightning strike that eventuated in its discovery, the tanzanite gemstone is attributed with the ability to convert negative vibrations into positive ones. This belief is considered to be especially true when it comes to one’s emotions. Speaking of which, the gem is also credited with the potential to improve one’s mental health and raise their level of consciousness.

That being said, please note that there is currently no scientific evidence that showcases the gemstone’s capacity to do the above.

Coming to its symbolism, this jewel is often associated with good luck, prosperity and new beginnings. Needless to say, this has made it a great gift to give someone regardless of what stage they are at in life.

Below Are the Reasons That Make This Gem Valuable and ‘Precious’ Even Though It May Not Be Categorized as One by the Industry.

1. Rarity

Did you know? The spectacular tanzanite can only be found in one place on earth, i.e., Tanzania. Several geologists have come forward to state that the circumstances resulting in the formation of tanzanite, around millions of years ago, are so extraordinary that it’ll be nearly impossible to find this jewel anywhere else on earth.

This prediction stands true, as even today, the tanzanite has not yet been discovered in any other location on earth. It is therefore rare, in its truest sense.

2. Hue & Pleochroism

The most mesmerising aspect of a tanzanite is undoubtedly its vibrant hue, which can range from deep blue and bluish-violet to vibrant violet with hints of purple and even paler shades of violet. This exotic gem is also pleochroic in nature, which means it has the ability to display different colours when viewed from different angles. Amazing, isn’t it?

3. Scarce Availability

We’ve known about the existence of the tanzanite for only about 50 years or so. In this short span of time, this magnificent gem has managed to garner immense admiration from people all across the globe, and for the right reasons.

However, it is imperative to understand that this gem is only available in limited quantities and high demand has led to a quick depletion rate.

As a matter of fact, several scientists have claimed that the tanzanite will be completely mined out in the next 25 to 30 years. Owing to this, it has been named as “the gem of a generation”, as in the future, it will probably disappear from the jewellery market.

4. Birthstone Status

Apart from the above, the Tanzanite is also known for being the December birthstone. This label has simultaneously added an emotional element to the gem while also increasing its demand ten-fold. Because of this, the stone is considered to be an amazing investment – one that is almost certainly valuable.

What Is the World’s Most Expensive Tanzanite?

Interestingly, the world’s most expensive pieces of Tanzanite don’t yet have their own unique name. The stones were found in 2020 by a small-scale miner named Saniniu Laizer and weighed 9.27 kilograms (20.4 pounds) and 5.103 kilograms (11.3 pounds) respectively. They were sold for a combined total of $3.5 million (7.7 billion Tanzanian shillings).

Did You Know?

That the largest carved tanzanite is named ‘L’heure Bleu.’ It weighs 725 carats and was hand-carved by Naomi Sarna – a designer who later won the First-Place Spectrum Award for Carving for her masterpiece.

Should You Invest in a Tanzanite?

Most definitely! Between its extreme rarity, amazing colour and birthstone status, the tanzanite is one gemstone that’s sure to get people talking (and who doesn’t want that?).

Buying Tips

Before purchasing your stone, we highly recommend doing the following:

1. Research the Seller: You can do this by going through the company’s website and chequeing their uploaded certificates and credentials. We also suggest looking at the brand’s social media profiles and reading the comments underneath each post.

2. Read Their Return Policy: At the end of the day, the best way to verify the authenticity of your stone is to get it chequeed by a professional jeweller. As such, ensure that the company has a clear return policy that gives you the option to return the purchase if it differs from what is claimed online in any way, shape or form.

Conclusion

Is Tanzanite Valuable?

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. But this stunning gem is constantly rising in popularity and is definitely something to watch out for.