Some think that when buying a Tanzanite, as a gem alone or set into jewelry, the darker the color the better the gem: False. If a Tanzanite is too dark and subdued it’s lifeless, lacking all the qualities for which it is renowned. Go for rich, bright, vivid colors: with clear medium-tones. The highest premiums are commanded by colors that vary from blue to violet blue, the most popular being a highly saturated blue. Some Tanzanite also has a strong purple coloration looking slightly amethyst like, these are much cheaper but non-the-less are extremely beautiful.

The more intense the color the higher the price, and prices for large top quality Tanzanite can be quite expensive. Of all gemstones Tanzanite’s prices rise and fall like no other, due in part to the irregularity of production from the mines. Prices of very fine Tanzanite gems of top color in large sizes, can reach as much as $1000 per carat retail. So if your budget doesn’t allow it look for muted colors, colors between hues, which are still appealing but less expensive.

An important point to keep in mind when buying Tanzanite is that its trichroic in nature: changing colors through the blue spectrum under different light sources. This is not to be confused with the dramatic color-change effect seen in Alexandrite and some Sapphire where the gems change colors completely. To get indication of these properties examine Tanzanite under different lighting, natural, artificial and subdued lighting.

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