Tanzanite. Intense violet-blue hues of tanzanite can rival fine sapphire at a fraction of the price - and it's a much rarer stone!
Value. In terms of value, Sapphire is generally more expensive than Tanzanite. This is due in part to their rarity and hardness, as well as their long history as a coveted gemstone over the ages. Tanzanite, while still very valuable, are more readily available currently and are therefore not as expensive as Sapphire.
From the durability point of view, sapphire is clearly the winner. Tanzanite, on the other hand, needs more care because it isn't as tough and also has the 'gemstone cleavage'.
Tanzanite stands among the rare gemstones with only a single source in the world. While diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and the like have been found in multiple deposits around the world.
Ruby: Untreated natural rubies are extremely rare. They are actually significantly rarer than sapphires, which is why they are even more expensive. Emerald: Like sapphires and rubies, emeralds are among the rarest of all gemstones. They are rarer than sapphires but not quite as rare as rubies.
The Rarest Birthstones
For example, April's diamond, though pricey, is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. While on the topic of alexandrite, this is currently the rarest gemstone on the birthstone list and can come at quite a cost. Black opals are also incredibly rare.
Painite : Not just the rarest gemstone, but also the rarest mineral on earth, Painite holds the Guinness World Record for it. After its discovery in the year 1951, there existed only 2 specimens of Painite for the next many decades. By the year 2004, there were less than 2 dozens known gemstones.
Tanzanite is a valuable gemstone because it's a rare stone. It is only found in one area of the world. The price per carat for tanzanite ranges between $100 and $800 depending on the quality.
Tanzanite value ranges between $100 to $800 per carat depending on factors such as color, clarity, cut, and carat weight (more on that later).
Described as 'a geological phenomenon', tanzanite is 1,000 times more rare than diamonds. Tanzanite jewellery is extremely valuable and coveted, both for the gem's rarity, as well as its beauty.
It is noteworthy that Tanzanites in grades SI and higher have impurities that are visible to the naked eye and are sold at comparatively lower prices.
Tanzanite is a relatively “soft” gemstone in comparison to say Diamond, the hardest, Sapphire or Ruby and measures 6 to 7 on the Mohs Scale. What this means is that Tanzanite can scratch over time, especially if worn on a daily basis or if worn when performing physical activity.
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.
The most sought after color are intense blues. Any colors outside this range are less valuable and not as rare and the deep colored purple and blue Tanzanite gemstones. Unheated Tanzanite is brown in color and doesn't get it's blue and purple colors until it is heat treated.
Having said that, tanzanites with a dominant blue color are considered to be the most valuable of the lot. This is primarily because the blue variety is quite rare and is, therefore, more likely to yield a higher return (from the investment point of view).
They do not have the brilliance and sparkle, the clarity and variety of color shades that diamonds have. Of course, this does not make tanzanites unattractive or uninteresting. These are still very beautiful stones in just a crazy saturated blue color.
On this scale, the tanzanite has a rating of 6 to 7, which means that while it isn't extremely weak, it can get damaged if hit hard enough. In addition to this, tanzanite also displays the perfect cleavage, which means that it can break if subjected to a hard blow.
In general, the more saturated the color of tanzanite is, the more valuable it becomes, as the demand for the deep royal blues is high. Too much saturation, however, and tanzanite can become too dark, especially in a larger gem.
Due to this unique singular event and the recent active foraging in the region, Tanzanite mines are expected to run out in the next 10 to 20 years. As our generation is the last with the opportunity to acquire first-hand Tanzanite, Tiffany & Co. has granted it the name 'The Gem of a Generation'.
Tanzanite is commonly believed to facilitate a higher consciousness and stimulate intuition and perception. Some believe that it aids in detoxifying the body and improving vitality. It is said to be a good stone to wear or have near in situations where you need a calming and soothing presence.
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.
Tanzanites are known for being doubly refractive. To check this, view the stone through a dichroscope. You should see two windows when you do this. If each window holds a different color, it means that your stone is doubly refractive and is probably authentic.
Tanzanite is a shocking 1000 times more rare than a diamond. Discovered for the first time in 1967 and only found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, these gemstones go for about $1,500 per carat. Tanzanite has the ability to change color depending on the angle of light it is in.