Tanzanite Gemstone Properties 

Tanzanite, the birthstone for December, was discovered in 1967. It really took the gemstone world by storm in the late 1980's and 1990's. A tremendous amount of high quality Tanzanite gemstone production caused prices to plummet. As a major buyer of Tanzanite rough gems, I was very apprehensive when I was presented with 5 kilogram lots of Tanzanite! As a consequence this beautiful blue gemstone with lavender tones became affordable to the mass jewelry market and jewelry consumers. In spite of its appealing trade name, Tanzanite is just the blue lavender form of the mineral Zoisite. Zoisite occurs in many other colors, green, yellow, and pink. Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 on the Moh's scale. It is suitable for jewelry, if care is taken in the style of mounting chosen so that the gem is not overly exposed in the mounting. It should never be put into an ultrasonic cleaner or worn everyday as other harder, more durable gemstones. Tanzanite is only mined in one area of the earth, the Merelani hills near the northern Tanzanian towns of Moshi and Arusha. The tanzanite gems are found in sausage shaped pockets of schist, sometimes at great depths. Most Tanzanite gems are found in irregular crystal shapes and are a dark brownish color. Once heat treated to 600 Celsius, a stunning transformation takes place to the famous blue-lavender color. The heat treatment is permanent and the color cannot be enhanced further with more heat treatment. The mesmerizing blue color with secondary lavender tones and pinkish red flashes is a result of Tanzanite's trichroic crystal structure, that is, it shows different colors when viewed in different directions. One direction is blue, another purple, and another reddish pink, if the quality is good enough.

Tanzanite Gemstone History and Lore 

Tanzanite was discovered by some Masai herdsman who were tending cattle in the Merelani Hills. Legend has it that the affect of heat was first discovered when some brown Zoisite crystals laying on the ground with other rocks were caught in a fire set by lightning that swept through the grass covered Merelani hills northeast of Arusha. Masai herders, who drive cattle in the area, noticed the beautiful blue color and picked the crystals up, becoming the first Tanzanite collectors. These crystals brought a Portuguese geologist to the area by the name of DeSouza who recognized this extraordinary find of an exciting new gemstone. It was Tiffany's, the famous jewelry store, christened this newly discovered gemstone Tanzanite - in honor of the country of its origin and only known source. Tiffany's recognized this gemstones potential and promoted the gemstone to the public. Tanzanite is now one of the five top selling colored gemstones in the USA and world. Tanzanite was recognized as a birthstone for the month of December just recently.

Tanzanite Gemstone Sources and Occurrences 

There is only one commercial source for gem quality Tanzanite. It is the Merelani hills near the northern Tanzanian towns of Arusha and Moshi. The mining area extends along a gem bearing belt of approximately 4 miles. There have been a few undocumented Tanzanite gems discovered in Kenya, but nothing of any significance. The Tanzanite deposit is very large, but the primitive mining techniques coupled with unprecedented demand, has significantly curtailed production - especially of the better quality Tanzanite gemstones.

Tanzanite Gemstone Evaluation and Valuation 

Color intensity is the most important consideration when choosing a Tanzanite. Size is not a consideration in Tanzanite valuation, as Tanzanite is commonly found in very large, flawless crystals. Tanzanite should be free of inclusions. I have seen a 200 gram, completely clean gem crystal! Depending on the orientation of the cut, the color can be either blue or lavender, if it is perfectly oriented along that color axis. This is rarely the case and almost all Tanzanite gems are a dominate blue color with a touch of lavender. Neither is considered more valuable or rare, but the purer blue color gets the higher prices, especially in the Asian markets. As with any gemstone the cut is also of prime importance, as the better quality of cut will bring out the gemstone's luster and brilliance.

Tanzanite Jewelry by AfricaGems.com 

Due to the popularity of Tanzanite gemstones, all jewelry stores and online jewelry retailers have carried Tanzanite gemstone rings in their inventory for many years. Tanzanite jewelry is among the most stunning of all gemstone jewelry. Everyone admires and appreciates the unique soothing lavender-blue color of a fine Tanzanite gemstone. Our selection of Tanzanite rings are varied in their styles, but are unique with an emphasis on quality. We offer handmade, custom designed Tanzanite solitary rings with no diamonds. We also offer custom Tanzanite and diamond rings utilizing up to 3 different gold types with intricate engraving. Our unique line of Tanzanite and Diamond micro pave rings has complimentary pendants, earrings and bracelets.
We can also custom design a tanzanite ring for you using one of our loose Tanzanite gemstones. Just send us your picture or sketch and we'll give you a quote.

Loose Tanzanite Gemstones by AfricaGems.com 

Tanzanite gemstones

Loose tanzanite gemstones in the finer gem qualities, has been the strongest selling gemstone of AfricaGems for many years. AfricaGems has one of the largest, finest selections of loose Tanzanite gems online with over 800 individual gems in stock and ready to ship by FREE FedEx shipping.

Tanzanite Gemstones up to 1.00 carat

Tanzanite loose gemstones in the smaller size ranges of up to 1.00 carat are quite common. What is unusual in this size range is Tanzanite in deep intense colors. Because of Tanzanite's physical properties, the smaller size ranges tend to lose color saturation. Most small size Tanzanite gemstones are pale in comparison to the larger sizes. Intense colors are more common in the larger sizes, mostly in the 5 carat size range and up. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of Tanzanite gemstones in this size range of 0 to .99 carats with over 90 Tanzanite gemstones to choose from. We have exceptionally fine colored Tanzanite gems in these small sizes. Even in the smallest size ranges, exceptional intense vivid colors in Tanzanite can command even higher prices price per carat as large 10 carat size gemstones. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones from 1.00 to 1.40 carats

AfricaGems.com vast Tanzanite loose gemstone collection is unparalleled in scope. We carry the largest online inventory of Tanzanite gemstones. AfricaGems.com has more than 900 individual Tanzanite gems of all sizes, shapes, and qualities in stock and ready to ship. The smaller size ranges of 1.00 to 1.40 carats are quite common in Tanzanite. What is unusual in this size range are deep intense colors. Because of Tanzanite's physical properties, the smaller size ranges tend to not hold color saturation. Most small size Tanzanite gemstones are pale in comparison to the larger sizes. Intense colors are more common in the larger sizes, mostly in the 5-carat size range and up. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of Tanzanite gemstones in this size range of 1.00 to 1.39 carats with over 260 Tanzanite gemstones to choose from and ready to ship to you by FREE FedEx shipping. We do have an exceptional collection of small exceptionally fine colored Tanzanite gems in these sizes. Even in the smallest size ranges, exceptionally intense, vivid colors in Tanzanite command the same price per carat as large 10-carat size gemstones. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones from 1.40 to 2.00 carats

Wise Tanzanite buyers buy their loose Tanzanite gems at AfricaGems.com. AfricaGems.com huge selection of quality loose Tanzanite gemstones is rare. We carry the largest online inventory of Tanzanite gemstones all in our safe and ready to ship to you. AfricaGems.com has more than 9000 individual Tanzanite gems for all budgets, in sizes from .50 to 20 carats. Tanzanite gems in the size range of 1.40 to 1.99 carats are quite common in Tanzanite. What is the exception in this size range are deep vivid colors. Because of Tanzanite's unique physical properties, the smaller size ranges tend to not hold color saturation. Most small size Tanzanite gemstones are paler in comparison to the larger size Tanzanite's. Intense colors are much more common in the larger sizes, mostly in the 5-carat size range and up. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of Tanzanite gemstones in this size range of 1.40 to 1.99 carats with over 180 loose Tanzanite gemstones to choose from. We do have an exceptional collection of small exceptionally fine colored Tanzanite gems in these sizes. Even in the smallest size ranges, exceptionally intense, vivid colors in Tanzanite command the same price per carat as large 10-carat plus size gemstones. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones from 2.00 to 3.00 carats

Tanzanite gemstones are among the most beautiful of all gemstones. The deep blue lavender color of Tanzanite is a color that everybody admires. AfricaGems.com has an immense collection of available loose Tanzanite gemstones ready to ship. Our selection of loose Tanzanite gems in the size range of 2 to 3 carat sizes is over 70 gemstones that are in our safe and ready to ship to you by FREE FedEx shipping. We carry a variety of qualities from medium intense to exceptionally vivid intense Tanzanite gemstones. In this size range, the average intensity of color or tone is much better than in the smaller size ranges. Faceted Tanzanite gemstones in this size range are the most popular size for mounting into gems stone rings and gemstone pendants. Tanzanite looks especially stunning when mounted into a white gold mounting with high quality white diamonds. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones from 3.00 to 5.00 carats

AfricaGems.com has more than 50 loose Tanzanite gemstones to choose from in the popular size range of 3 to 5 carats. AfricaGems selects our Tanzanite gems for color and cut, the most important considerations when buying a Tanzanite gemstone. AfricaGems.com selection of the popular gemstone Tanzanite is the best on the web, we have over 1000 Tanzanite gemstones available online-the best selection on the web today and ready to ship to you today by FREE FedEx shipping. The intense lavender-blue color of Tanzanite is a color that everybody admires. In the medium to large size range, such as from 3 to 5 carats, many of the better quality Tanzanite gemstones will display and pinkish and sometimes reddish "flash". This is caused by the trichroic nature of Tanzanite. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of qualities from medium-dark colors to exceptionally vivid, intense colored Tanzanite gems. Medium to large faceted Tanzanite gemstones in this size range can be mounted into gemstone rings, gemstone earrings and gemstone pendants. Please have a look at our inventory of our stunning Tanzanite rings. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones from 5.00 to 10 carats

AfricaGems.com has more than 30 loose Tanzanite gemstones to choose from in the popular size range of 5 to 10 carats. We select our Tanzanite gems for color and cut, the most important considerations when buying a Tanzanite gemstone. AfricaGems.com selection of the popular gemstone Tanzanite is the best on the web, we have over 1000 Tanzanite gemstones available online-the best selection on the web today and ready to ship to you today by FREE FedEx shipping. The intense lavender-blue color of Tanzanite is a color that everybody admires. In the larger size range such as from 5 to 10 carats, many of the better quality Tanzanite gemstones will display and pinkish and sometimes reddish "flash". This is caused by the trichroic nature of Tanzanite. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of qualities from medium-dark colors to exceptionally vivid, intense colored Tanzanite gems. Larger faceted Tanzanite gemstones in this size range can be mounted into gemstone rings, gemstone earrings and gemstone pendants. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

Tanzanite Gemstones 10.00 carat plus sizes

AfricaGems selects our larger Tanzanite loose gemstones for intense color and superior cutting, the two most important criteria when buying a loose Tanzanite gemstone. In large size Tanzanite gems, in the size range of 10 carats or larger, AfricaGems.com selection of the popular gemstone Tanzanite is the best on the web. Our entire Tanzanite inventory is very large, consisting over 1000 individual gemstones. These fabulous gemstones are in our safe and ready to ship to you with FREE FedEx shipping. The intense lavender-blue color of a fine gem 10 carat Tanzanite is a characteristic that everybody admires and says "wow". In the larger sized Tanzanite gems of over 10 carats, most of the better quality Tanzanite gemstones will display and pinkish and sometimes reddish "flash". This is caused by the trichroic nature of Tanzanite. AfricaGems.com has a vast selection of qualities from medium-dark colors to exceptionally vivid, intense colored Tanzanite gems in the 10 carat plus size range. Larger sized Tanzanite's such as these should be custom mounted. AfricaGems.com works with many talented custom jewelers. Send us your ideas and we can have a drawing sent to you. Many of our Tanzanite gemstones are expertly cut here in the USA, which not only makes them much more brilliant but also much attractive when fashioned into jewelry. Tanzanite prices have increased substantially in the past five years. See a very special and unique handmade gemstone pendant featuring a fine Tanzanite gemstone.

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flowski Tanzanite gems are absolutely stunning, thanks. Posted March 16, 2008