Miadora Sterling Silver Cushion-cut Amethyst, Tanzanite and Diamond Accent Ring

What is The Hardness of Tanzanite? Tanzanite Properties, Care, and More!

If you’re looking for a gemstone that is as beautiful as it is fiscally smart, Tanzanite is the stone for you. Tanzanite, the birthstone of December, is a tricolored gem that radiates in blues, purples, and reds. Additionally, Tanzanite is currently continuing to rise in value, making it a great investment for the finance-savvy bride or groom to be. Are you convinced that this is the stone for you? Before buying a ring embellished with this brilliant stone, it is important to be well versed in the mineral itself and all the factors of buying a tanzanite embellished ring, ownership, and upkeep.

Princess-Cut Tanzanite and I Diamond Sidestone Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold

What is the Hardness of Tanzanite and Other Properties?

It is not surprising that Tanzanite has rapidly grown in popularity since its discovery in 1960. Tanzanite is not only an overwhelmingly beautiful stone; it is also lighter in weight than a diamond with the refractive index and luster of an emerald. Rather than overwhelming you with a list of useless knowledge, we will narrow the important factors down to two simple components of Tanzanite that we find most useful to the average consumer.

First, Tanzanite is a moderately resilient mineral. On the hardness scale, Tanzanite finds itself on somewhere between a 6.5 and 7, making it scratch resistant to matters that fall at a lower number than 6.5. To test the authenticity of your Tanzanite gem, scratch the surface with an item that is in the 1-6.5 range of the hardness scale – a fingernail, for example, sits at a low 2 – if your nail leaves a scratch on the Tanzanite, the stone you’re dealing with isn’t authentic.

hardness of tanzanite blue

If you’re well versed in testing specific gravity, the specific gravity of Tanzanite is between 3.10 and 3.38. If none of that made sense to you, don’t worry, it doesn’t to the majority of consumers. A quick Google search will turn up easy to follow steps on testing for specific gravity and, if you’re unconvinced as to the authenticity of your stone, they may make for a useful experiment.

Tranquil Tanzanite

As previously noted, Tanzanite displays the unique quality of trichroism – it displays shades of blue, purple and burgundy depending on the lighting it is in. Tanzanite is more likely to display rich blues under a fluorescent light, while the violets and purples are seen under incandescent lights. Cool, this website can do my essay for me, check it ASAP!

While the array of colors flaunted by the stone is undoubtedly beautiful, Tanzanite is naturally a reddish-orange stone. That’s right – everything that’s marvellous about this beautiful stone is achieved through man through heat treatment to create the marvellous blue and purple hues. Due to the fragility of the color, and to achieve uniformity of color, Tanzanite must be cut prior to heat treatment – making it impossible to cut the stone to highlight each individual gem’s unique features.

Miadora Sterling Silver Cushion-cut Amethyst, Tanzanite and Diamond Accent Ring

While heat treating Tanzanite is, understandably, acceptable, other enhancements are not. For example, some jewelers will coat a Tanzanite stone to enhance the already vivid colors – while it might temporarily look nice, this enhancement also hides imperfections in poor quality stones and, as such, decreases the value of it.

Taking Care of Tanzanite

Heat can change the color of Tanzanite, so it is good practice to avoid keeping this precious stone in direct sunlight. It is also recommended to not steam clean your Tanzanite ring, rather you should wash it with a soft cloth, warm water and soap. 

It is important to remember that Tanzanite can be scratched by matters that hold a hardness level of 6.5 or higher so it is smart to store your beautiful gem encrusted ring in a secured box, pouch, or away from any diamonds or products that may flaw the stone.

Tanzanite diamond ring B2

As with any fine stone, it is recommended to remove your ring prior to exposing your hands to harsh household chemicals or chlorinated pools.

Let’s Talk Tanzanite Money!

The price of this precious gem is on the up and up! The highest valued Tanzanite stones display deep blues and purples while light purple gems with brown undertones cost significantly less. The average price per carat for a Tanzanite gem is in the ballpark of $1,200.00, so a stone priced below $1,000 might be a good indicator that the quality is poor or the stone is not real.

The value of Tanzanite, as in most other stones, will also depend on the clarity – a clear and blemish free stone will cost significantly less than one with numerous impurities. Similarly, a clean and professional cut will outvalue one that is irregular and imperfect.

Am I ready to buy?

Absolutely! But we’d like to reiterate some key facts before you’re on your way.

white gold diamond oval tanzanite wedding anniversary ring band

1. Remember that Tanzanite rings get their color through enhancements – be weary of purchasing from a jeweler that advertises the stone as “natural” or “naturally colored”, because that’s a misrepresentation. Do not spend more money on rings bearing Tanzanite stones labeled as “natural”.

2. If a Tanzanite ring looks more vibrant than the other displays but costs less, ask questions. This stone may have been treated to hide imperfections and, as a side-effect, became more vibrant. The vibrancy won’t last long, the imperfections in your stone are forever. 

3. When buying a used or antique gem, make sure to get it inspected by a certified gemologist for imperfections that may not be visible to the naked eye. When buying a Tanzenite and diamond ring, be vocal in wanting certifications on the diamonds that you’re buying.

4. Be aware of fake Tanzanite rings. A lot of scammers will try to pass colored class and cubic zirconia off as Tanzanite – a good indicator of this is whether or not the ring has multiple colors. Tanzanite will flash blue, purple and burgundy while an imitator will flash only one solid color.

4. For the best bang for your buck on Tanzanite rings, buy from reputable jewellers.

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