Tanzanite: A Guide to Getting the Right Stone

Tanzanite is the blazing velvety-blue-to-royal-purple stone that is making a name for itself in the world of precious gems. Tanzanite is 1,000 times more rare than the diamond, which is one reason it is demanding high prices in the gemstone world, according to http://tanzanite.com/education/faq.cfm.

Like diamonds, Tanzanite is also evaluated by the 4 C's: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. In addition, precious gems are evaluated by three traits: beauty, rarity and durability (with rarity being the greatest influence on the gem's price).

Color is the trait that sets Tanzanite apart from all other gemstones. Its depth of color and range of shades in each piece make this gem unique. Tanzanite's color range begins on the violetish blue (vB) to bluish violet (bV) with a range from exceptional to pale. Pieces with more intense color garner more impressive prices in addition; earrings with the same intensity and color demand the highest prices.

While color is very important, a bad cut can devalue a piece with exquisite color. If a cut is too shallow, the light passes through the gem. If a cut is too deep, the light is redirected through the side and the brilliance of the piece is lost. An ideal cut will return the light through the top of the piece. While most look for the round brilliant cut to reflect the light and bring out the various shades in Tanzanite, the trillion cut is gaining respectability in its class.

The most sought after clarity is eye clean meaning, the piece might have slight inclusions viewable only by a jeweler's magnifying loupe. At its worst, Tanzanite is heavily included, but can be cut to hide its flaws, still making the gem a desirable piece. Always inspect your potential piece with a loupe before purchasing more expensive gems.

Carat weight is the most widely acknowledged determination in price, even the more naive of buyers know the larger the piece, the more it will cost. What most do not know, is some weights are more popular than others. When searching for a gem, 1ct. or 100 points is one of the most requested sizes. To the eye, there is no way to distinguish between a .92 ct. or a 1 ct. gem, but price wise, you can realize a significant difference. When buying gems, buy shy of the carat weight. You can buy up to a 15point difference without being able to visibly tell it is short of being a full carat.

The last C to keep in mind is your confidence in the dealer. Make certain your dealer is a respected business with credentials and a guarantee to protect your investment.

SOURCE:

http://tanzanite.com/education/faq.cfm