Violet Blue Tanzanite

Violet Blue Tanzanite .08 CT From Tanzania 2.8 mm Untreated. 

Tanzanite is a rare and exceptionally vibrant violet-blue variety of the mineral zoisite. Found exclusively in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is highly prized for its trichroism—the ability to exhibit striking shifts between deep blue, rich violet, and purple hues depending on the lighting and crystal angle. 

Key Characteristics

• Color Composition: The most sought-after tanzanites feature a dominant, vivid blue mixed with distinct violet undertones. The color is typically enriched by heating raw, brownish-yellow crystals, resulting in their signature deep indigo and royal blue. 
• Durability: Ranking between 6.0 and 7.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is softer than sapphires and should be worn in protective settings like bezel or halo rings to avoid scratches. 
• Rarity: Because it is only mined in one localized area on Earth, it is often considered up to 1,000 times rarer than diamonds. 

Valuation and Pricing

The price of tanzanite depends heavily on its carat weight, clarity, and the exact ratio of blue to violet. Generally, stones with a higher percentage of rich blue are more valuable than those dominated by pale violet. Prices can range widely, starting around $250 for smaller, lighter-colored stones and scaling up to thousands for deep, eye-clean, and certified specimens.