Tanzanite Colorado

Welcome to the most concise yet thorough guide to understanding tanzanite on the internet. Within the next half hour, you can learn enough about this fascinating relative newcomer to the world of gemstones to purchase them with confidence and peace of mind. Our mission is to give you unbiased facts so that you can make informed decisions, or just expand your horizons.

Whatever your goal, you will find this site to be informative, fun and, most of all, easy to use.

Did you know that tanzanite was originally introduced to market as a sapphire substitute? It's true. Tanzanite wasn't discovered until the 1960's! And, what began as a second string replacement has blossomed into one of the greatest success stories in gemstone history.

Even though tanzanite still sells for far less than sapphires and other gemstones, it is quickly becoming respected and prized for its unusual clarity and brilliance.

Unlike diamonds, rubies and emeralds, for which there are mines the world over, tanzanite is found only in Tanzania, Africa.

Tanzanite is actually classified in the gem world as a three-colored gem. So when you see deep blue, flashes of purple and shades of violet in one stone, you are observing qualities that any sapphire would be thrilled to claim, but they are exclusively tanzanite's.

If you have additional questions, or want more detailed information on any subject on this site, feel free to email our highly trained, professional staff at info@thediamond.com and we'd be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Now, have fun, and fall in love with this beautiful stone from the heart of Africa.

When it comes to color, tanzanite is one of the trickiest gemstones to judge. Of course, the color of all gems shifts slightly under varied lighting conditions. But tanzanite not only changes color under different light, but it can also display several shades of color at once. Therefore it is important to examine tanzanite under many light sources so you know what shades to expect from a particular stone. After you determine the many tones, look at the stone again under a neutral-fluorescent light (which best mimics mid-daylight) to make the final judgment of the predominant hue.

So what is the ideal color for tanzanite? And how should you go about examining this chameleon of a gemstone? Here's a few pointers:

1. Since tanzanite began its career as a substitute for blue sapphire, and because blue is the most popular color for any gemstone, deep-dark blue is considered tanzanite's most desirable hue.

2. Keep your desired color range in mind when evaluating each stone. Some will emit purple and violet tones, others may tend more toward reddish or orange.

3. Think in terms of hue, tone and overall purity when examining any gemstone. Remember that tanzanite is classified as a three-colored gemstone, so determining the hue and purity can be tricky.

4. Examine the stone from the top, sides and bottom under each lighting source. The strongest color under all tests will be the hue of that particular stone, the most consistent secondary colors will determine the tone, and the lack of gray and brown will fix the purity.

5. It is important to note that the most valuable dark-blue color is hard to find in tanzanite under two carats.

6. Also remember that because of tanzanite's intrinsic trichroic (three-colored) nature, it is one of the most difficult gemstones to match. This becomes a bigger factor if you are considering tanzanite for earrings or other jewelry where more than one stone will be used.

7. If you are buying a stone with the intention of reselling at some point, you should try to find the deep-blue of highest quality. However, if you are looking for a tanzanite to match your eyes, wardrobe or skin tone, you can afford a little more freedom in your decision.

With all gemstones, clarity is the term which describes how free from flaws a given stone is. Flaws are identified in two categories. Internal flaws, called inclusions, and external flaws, or blemishes. Tanzanite is probably the most transparent, or "eye-clean" (free from visible flaws) of all fine gems. Because of this, the tolerance of visible flaws in tanzanite is greatly reduced compared to other gemstones.

There are many types of flaws inherent in tanzanite, most of which are harmless. The only thing you need to look out for are cracks which could greatly weaken the stone, or dark blotches that block light passage, hence clarity.

The same method of investigating tanzanite for color quality can be used to qualify its clarity: examining from multiple light sources and angles. You're looking for inclusions and blemishes which won't be visible from all angles. These flaws can have a detrimental effect on the stone's overall transparency and uniformity of color dispersion. Look from top, bottom and sides under overhead lighting, first with the naked eye, then through a 10X loupe. Next, examine the stone from all angles with light shining through the sides. Here's a couple more handy tips:

1. Always clean stones with a soft cloth before examination. Oil and dirt can block transparency.

2. Only compare tanzanite with other tanzanite, and only with the same quality, cut and size.

3. It's best to purchase any gemstone loose. Settings can hide flaws and make grading of clarity and transparency very difficult.

Miro Jewelers

303.393.8880
3445 E. 3rd Ave #4
Denver, CO
www.mirojewelers.com