Tanzanite and Sapphire are two of the most beautiful gemstones in the world, and they both commonly come in the color blue, although tanzanite has more violet hues, so what is the difference between Tanzanite and Sapphire?
Sapphire gemstone
Sapphires come from all over the world. It is one of the most amazing creations of gems and measures 9 on the Mohs’ scale of hardness and is therefore one of the hardest gemstones known to man, second only to the diamond. This makes sapphires extremely hard to scratch and can be worn every day in an engagement ring.
Sapphires come in all colors. Most well-known is the beautiful range of blues that can be produced.
Tanzanite gemstone
Tanzanite is very different to sapphire. It is a type of zoisite and is much softer than sapphire.
Tanzanite measures 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs’s scale of hardness. This means Tanzanite is more prone to bumps and scratches than harder stones such as sapphire. For this reason, tanzanite is a better choice for less-worn jewelry than sapphires.
While sapphire can come in many colors, tanzanite only comes in blue and violet, and a mix in between.
Is Tanzanite actually rare?
You betcha! Tanzanite is extraordinarily rare. Due to only being found in one location in the world (at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro), tanzanite is extremely rare and very valuable.
Is Tanzanite more expensive than sapphire?
Sapphires can be quite expensive, depending on the size, color, cut, and clarity, and can range from anywhere between $500 per carat to $6,000 per carat.
In comparison to sapphire, tanzanite is also expensive and will generally fetch prices of $400 to $700 per carat, depending on the color vibrancy and size.
Is Tanzanite worth buying?
Sapphire is by far the more rare and most luxurious gem of the two, however, if you are after something different, rarer, and slightly more affordable, then a stunning piece featuring tanzanite is a great addition to your collection of jewelry.