Back to gem encyclopedia

Tanzanite

Poised between lush blue, vibrant violet, and rich purple, exotic tanzanite is found in only one place on earth, near majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.

See gem as
Polished
Rough

Tools

Research

Figure 1. Surbhi’s “Orient” earrings with tanzanite carvings surrounded by blue sapphires, emeralds, white diamonds, and tsavorite garnets with an upper flower-shaped dangle composed of faceted tanzanites, emeralds, and pink sapphires, all set in 18K white gold. The total diamond weight for the pair is 1.60 carats, and the total colored stone weight is 62.23 carats, 48.32 carats of which are from the two tanzanite carvings. Photo by Robert Weldon; courtesy of YNY Jewels Inc. and Karats Inc.

YNY Jewels: Designer Surbhi Pandya

Jennifer Stone-Sundberg and Si Athena Chen, May 23, 2023

Handcrafted jewelry pieces featuring tanzanite carvings stood out at the GJX show.

Merelaniite whisker inclusions in tanzanite.

Merelaniite Inclusions in Tanzanite

Augusto Castillo, Tyler Smith, and John A. Jaszczak, August 9, 2018

A recently identified mineral is found, in whisker-like form, in a gem-quality tanzanite host.

Wedding couple: Groom in black tuxedo and woman in white gown hold hands and gaze at one another. California hills in the background.

Article

Love in Tucson: The ‘Stars Aligned’ for Geologist and Designer at GIA Alumni Party

Jaime Kautsky, January 26, 2018

They met in line to get into the GIA Alumni Association Tucson party – and changed the course of their lives forever.

A 4.10 ct colorless diamond “slice” pendant with black inclusions set in white gold and surrounded by colorless to brown pavé diamonds by Rachel Boston, London. Photo courtesy Rachel Boston

Article

2017 Las Vegas Trade Spotty, Designers and Diamonds Lead

Russell Shor, June 28, 2017

Designers respond to market trends, demand for diamonds better than expected. Plus: Holiday season diamond marketing campaign gets funding boost.

Sotheby’s May 16 Geneva auction featured the Apollo Blue (14.54 cts) and Artemis Pink (16 cts) as an earring set. The pair drew a total of $57 million – $42.1 million ($2.9 million per carat) for the Fancy Vivid blue and $15.3 million ($958,000 per ca

Article

2017 Vegas Outlook: Decent, But Cautious, Buying

Russell Shor, May 31, 2017

Buyers at the 2017 JCK Show will likely stick to their open-to-buy plans, but take few chances on new lines or extra stock. Plus: An overview of retail sales, auction headlines.

Exceptional Freeform Tanzanite and Oregon Sunstone Rings

Duncan Pay, May 8, 2017

A family sources, designs, and carves gems for extraordinary jewelry and pieces.

De Grisogono’s “Crazymal” collection introduced in Basel combines humor and craftsmanship to a luxury line. This pink flamingo ring is 18k gold, pink sapphire and colorless diamonds. Courtesy of De Grisogono

Article

Luxury Firms Adjust to the Era of Diminished Opulence

Russell Shor, April 17, 2017

Baselworld 2017: Luxury jewelry designers rethinking blingy, gem-laden looks for more artistic designs. Pink Star diamond sells for $71 million.

A view of downtown Hong Kong – with a freeway traveling through it.

Article

US Retailers Continue to Cite ‘Challenging’ Environment, Synthetic Melee Detected

Russell Shor, March 20, 2017

Economists recognize that the decline in middle class purchasing power is directly affecting some consumer products – including jewelry.

Article

De Beers Optimistic as Sales Revive; Luxury Houses Remain Cautious

Russell Shor, February 21, 2017

De Beers has largest cycle (sight) in more than two years. Luxury sales have begun to rise again after a negative year.

Article

‘Hippie’ Designer-Appraiser Follows Her Heart, Re-ignites Local Alumni Chapter

Jaime Kautsky, February 13, 2017

Rebecca Buys, GG, with a fulfilling career as a designer and appraiser, guides GIA alumni opportunities in San Diego, California.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia

Tanzanite

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Tanzanite

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

You Might Also Like

Find a Retailer

Shop the Campus Store

Subscribe to Knowledge Rocks Emails

Learn About Diamond Origin Reports