Start with Our Diamond Quiz
Tanzanite Value
Tanzanite is a striking blue-violet gemstone found only in one place on Earth: the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania. Discovered in 1967, tanzanite’s striking color, strong pleochroism (the quality of a gemstone that displays different colors when viewed from different angles), and limited geographic source contributes to its rarity — and ultimately, its value.
Tanzanite is the second most valuable blue gemstone just behind sapphire — and with deposits expected to run out in the next twenty years, this precious stone is expected to become even more valuable in the coming years. It is often marketed as a “one-generation” gem, meaning future availability is uncertain once current deposits are depleted.
Like diamonds, tanzanite got a marketing boost from jewelers. Thanks to Tiffany & Co., the stone formerly known as “blue zoisite” was rebranded as “tanzanite” to honor its origins in Tanzania. Tiffany had exclusive rights to the gemstone through the 1970s. And because of its limited availability outside of Tanzania, the gem has retained its high value.
Tanzanite Price
Tanzanite’s price varies widely depending on several key quality factors. Stones with deeper color saturation, higher clarity, and precise cuts tend to be more valuable and therefore expensive. Tanzanite is also highly sensitive to size — larger stones are significantly rarer and command higher value per carat.
Because market conditions and supply can change, it’s always best to evaluate a tanzanite’s value based on its quality characteristics and current demand rather than a fixed price per carat.
Tanzanite Price Factors
Key factors impacting the value of tanzanite include:
- Color: The most important value driver for this gem. Deep blue-violet stones are the most prized.
- Clarity: Eye-clean stones are considered high quality. Inclusions can detract from the value.
- Carat weight: Larger gems are exponentially rarer and more valuable.
- Cut: A well-executed cut enhances brilliance and color intensity.
- Treatment: Most tanzanite is heat-treated to enhance color. Untreated stones are extremely rare and more valuable.
- Certification: Gems accompanied by documentation from gemological labs may carry greater trust and market value.
When shopping for tanzanite, it’s important to focus on value indicators beyond just price, including:
- Prioritizing color first, then clarity and carat weight.
- Looking for eye-clean stones with balanced blue-violet tones.
- Considering if you are open to overly purple stones or pale colors at deeply discounted prices — these are often lower grade or overly treated, but it does come down to personal color preference.
- Buying from trusted retailers who disclose treatment status and quality grading clearly.
Tanzanite Price Trends
Rather than relying on fixed pricing, tanzanite is typically grouped into quality tiers that help guide value expectations:
- Top-grade tanzanite features a deep, velvety blue with violet flashes and excellent clarity.
- Mid-grade tanzanite displays lighter blue or violet tones, often with slightly lower saturation or clarity.
- Commercial-grade stones may appear pale and tend to be more affordable but less desirable for collectors.
Larger gems, particularly those above two carats, are considerably rarer and tend to be valued much higher — even within the same quality tier.
