Gemstone Encyclopedia
Tanzanite
Wholesale tanzanite — buying guide for the trade
Found in a single ~5km strip of Tanzania's Merelani Hills. Strong blue-to-violet pleochroism, almost always heated to reveal its signature colour.
Key properties
- Mineral
- Zoisite (Ca₂Al₃Si₃O₁₂(OH))
- Hardness
- 6.5 (Mohs)
- Key origins
- Tanzania only (Merelani Hills)
- Typical treatments
- Heat (universal and accepted)
What to look for when buying wholesale
- Block-D AAA grading is the trade standard for tanzanite quality.
- Calibrated cushions, ovals and trillions trade in volume from Jaipur cutters.
- Tanzanite is brittle — favour protective settings.
Certification guidance
GIA or IGI for anything above USD 1,000. Origin is uncontested (Tanzania), so reports focus on grade and treatment.
Treatment disclosure
Heat is universal and accepted — undisclosed in most invoices but assumed industry-wide.
Typical wholesale price tiers
| Tier | Wholesale | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $80–$300 / ct | Smaller sizes, lighter colour |
| Fine | $300–$1,200 / ct | AAA, vivid violet-blue |
| Exceptional | $1,200–$5,000+ / ct | Large, top-colour, well-cut |
Prices are indicative wholesale-to-trade ranges. Actual offers depend on origin, certification and supply at the time of enquiry.
Source direct
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