Is Tanzanite expensive? Tanzanite stones are gemstones that naturally come in a wide range of colors such as colorless, gray, yellow, brown, pink, green, blue, and violet. Unlike other gemstones known to mankind, tanzanite enjoys a relatively young history.
However, despite its young history, it’s one of the gemstones in human history to enjoy one of the fastest acceptance and popularity, mostly because of its rarity and location. Although nearly all of the world’s most popular gemstones have been known and used for hundreds of years, tanzanite was not discovered in commercial quantities until the 1960s.
In the short time since then, it has become the second most popular blue gem after sapphire. It is one of a very small number of gems of any color that have been discovered and brought to strong consumer popularity within the past century.
This high rate of acceptability and popularity has been attributed to the beautiful, dazzling blue color of this gemstone and the wide-scale promotion of Tiffany. In December 2002, this gemstone was given the designation of modern birthstone for December.
Due to its rarity, growing popularity, and acceptability, people naturally find themselves asking: is tanzanite expensive? That probably informed why you picked your gadget and found yourself here.
Well, I have some good news for you. One is that you are at the right place where this question bothers you and others are carefully answered to your satisfaction.
Two is that tanzanite is not expensive. It’s pocket-friendly, meaning that it’s not only a reserve for the rich. An average earner can equally afford to quench his or her appetite for this precious gemstone.
Tanzanite, despite being one of the most valuable gemstones in the gemstone world, despite being the rarest. As of today, all of the known deposits of Tanzanite are located in a small area in northern Tanzania, Merelani, near the gem trading town of Arusha.
Despite its popularity, acceptance, and ever-increasing demand and being known to have a limited supply to the point of being acknowledged as a one-generation gemstone likely to be depleted, it’s relatively very affordable.
Although it’s rarer than diamonds, their prices are much lower. Its prices range between less than $50 per carat and $800 per carat, depending significantly on the quality. from less than $50 per carat to upwards of $800 per carat.
Why is Tanzanite So Expensive?
Well, the reasons are these: One is the rarity of this gemstone.
Tanzanite, as previously noted, is so rare because it is only found in one location. It’s found and mined in the Manyara region of Northern Tanzania, a very small area only four kilometers wide and two kilometers long at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Its history or discovery, although young, according to a Tanzanian geologist, the circumstances that led to its formation 585 million years ago were so exceptional. The circumstances that led to its formation 585 million years ago were so exceptional and the likelihood of finding tanzanite anywhere else on earth is one in a million, making it a thousand times rarer than diamonds.
Secondly, the future of this gemstone is shrouded in uncertainty. The world may soon run out of this gemstone due to depletion.
At the current rate of mining, the geologist also estimates that the available supply will be depleted within the next 25 years. As a result, tanzanite is known as the “gemstone of a generation” because this generation will be the last one able to buy stones from the primary market before the supply is exhausted.
In short, tanzanite has all the elements to drive its prices up or the elements of a hit product—supply rarity, unique trichroic properties, and an uncertain lifespan—making it a potential vintage product for its owners in the future.
However, why all these naturally should have driven its prices up or made this world’s rarest, once-in-a-generation gemstone so expensive. The reverse is more the case.
Despite over 50 years after its discovery, it has not enjoyed a remarkable market breakthrough, which is reflected in its low price, many degrees lower than diamonds, which it’s rarer than by a thousand times.
How Expensive is Tanzanite?
Well, it’s not too expensive for you to not afford if you set your mind to getting one for yourself. The value of these stones in the different quality brackets necessarily means different price points, with the rarest scoring the highest points or commanding higher prices than the medium and lower grades.
Their value is highly dependent on their quality. And for this quality, color plays a major part in ascribing a value factor to it.
Thus, prices can significantly differ due to quality being fixed by color value. Prices of these stones, therefore, range from less than $50 per carat to upwards of $800 per carat.
In a nutshell, the finest, deeply saturated, flawless colors command higher prices, whilst pale stones or lower clarity stones trade at much lower prices.
As of 2022, a richly colored AAA Tanzanite, 1ct, is approximately worth $200-$350 per carat. 2ct sizes cost $400-$550 per carat. 3ct sizes cost $400-$550 per carat. carats and up, you will reach $500-$675 per carat.
Is Tanzanite More Expensive than Diamonds?
Well, before we answer this question, it’s important to mention a few things about these gemstones to help us appreciate them both and understand more. A diamond is not just a jewel or a gemstone, it has grown to become a name associated with love, wealth, and power.
It’s a name that has been given further pet or fond names by people who are never free from its refreshing charm. One of such fold names is “a girl’s best friend.”
On the other hand, tanzanite is the world’s rarest gemstone, which was discovered roughly fifty years ago. These stones are much rarer than diamonds, but they are not as popular and famous as diamonds in the world of gemstones.
While diamonds are commonly found in Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia, tanzanite stones are only found in one location, a very small area in Northern Tanzania.
Nonetheless, both are beautiful and precious gemstones, make amazingly good gifts, and share a few things in common. Both gemstones look incredible when encased in pieces of jewelry like rings, necklaces, or bracelets.
Despite this, they are different and can be told apart. TDA experts note that the two precious stones look completely different, with a tanzanite stone having a variety of colors ranging from blue to purple, depending on how light falls on them.
Some diamonds can be colored, like pink or yellow diamonds, but they are extremely rare. Another clear area of difference is in their prices.
This brings us to the question, “is tanzanite more expensive than diamonds?” Well, no.
Tanzanite is not more expensive than diamonds. Although tanzanite is indeed a lot rarer, diamonds are by far the more expensive per carat.
For several reasons, diamonds are the more popular gemstone and, indeed, more expensive than tanzanite. A diamond is harder, shinier, and lasts a lot longer than tanzanite. Some experts might call tanzanite an inferior gemstone compared to diamonds.
All the same, the blue-colored stone, tanzanite, and diamond all look gorgeous and can make for an unforgettable gift.
What Color of Tanzanite is the Most Expensive?
Tanzanite stones are characterized by two colors: they are usually either blue-dominant or violet-dominant (medium saturation). Tanzanite stones having a strong-to-vivid or intense blue, purplish-blue, and violetish blue color are the most valuable.
They are more expensive, and, from the point of an investment, they are rare and likely to yield a higher return.
On the other hand, tanzanite stones with medium saturation are less expensive and valued. However, although they are not seen as the top colors, many people, mostly those who like aquamarine and blue topaz, still gladly pay their lower prices.
Conclusion
Tanzanite stones are precious gemstones, though they were discovered fairly recently, they have grown to enjoy greater popularity and recognition. They have become a common name and a force to reckon with in the world of gemstones.
This particular one is attended to by the question: “is tanzanite expensive?” by those blown away by its charm. Although rare and all, tanzanite is not too expensive to slip off your hands due to lack of money.
