Natural Tanzanite Value Guide

Natural Tanzanite is a rare variety of zoisite found exclusively in a four-kilometer strip near Mount Kilimanjaro. Since its 1968 debut by Tiffany & Co., this gemstone has become a premier collectible due to its limited geographic origin and striking trichroic properties.

What Is Natural Tanzanite Worth?

The typical price range for Natural Tanzanite is $450 - $500 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity of the violet-blue saturation significantly impacts the $450-$500 price range for round brilliant cuts.
• Carat weight and the precision of the brilliant-cut facets affect light return and overall market desirability.
• The presence of secondary purple hues, a hallmark of stones from the original Tanzanian deposits, increases collector value.

How to Identify Natural Tanzanite?

• Observe the characteristic pleochroism, which should display shifts between deep blue, violet, and burgundy tones depending on the angle.
• Verify the round brilliant cut's symmetry and the stone's clarity, as high-quality zoisite specimens are typically eye-clean.
• Check for the specific gravity and refractive index consistent with zoisite to distinguish it from synthetic imitations or blue glass.

History of Natural Tanzanite

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is one of the world's rarest gemstones because it is only found in a small four-kilometer strip of land. It was named and brought to the international market by Tiffany & Co. in 1968.