Tanzanite price: what tanzanite is worth per carat
Found in only one place on earth, tanzanite is valued for its rich violet-blue. Colour saturation and size drive price, and routine heating is normal.
What drives tanzanite price
Tanzanite (gem zoisite) comes solely from the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. The most valued colour is a deep, saturated violet-blue; pale, light or greyish stones are far more affordable.
Colour & size
Saturation is the main driver — top stones show an intense blue with violet flashes. Because deep colour concentrates in larger stones, per-carat price rises markedly with size; small tanzanite is inexpensive while large, vivid stones are premium.
Treatment
Nearly all tanzanite is gently heated to reach its blue-violet colour (rough is often brownish), and this is standard and accepted. Untreated stones are uncommon.
Clarity & cut
Fine tanzanite is typically eye-clean (Type I), so visible inclusions reduce value. Cut strongly affects how the colour and pleochroism show face-up.
Tanzanite price — frequently asked questions
Is tanzanite rarer than diamond?
Tanzanite comes from a single small area in Tanzania, so it is geologically far rarer than diamond. Price, however, is set by the market, where diamonds remain more expensive overall.
Is all tanzanite heated?
Almost all tanzanite is gently heated to develop its violet-blue colour, which is a standard, stable and accepted treatment. Unheated stones are uncommon.
What colour tanzanite is most valuable?
A deep, vivid violet-blue with strong saturation. Pale, light or greyish stones are far less valuable per carat.
How much is tanzanite per carat?
Small or pale stones are inexpensive, while large, deeply saturated stones command strong per-carat prices. Use the calculator to estimate your stone.
Indicative trade information from the Gem Index universal pricing engine — not a formal appraisal or laboratory certificate. Wholesale, USD. Species, treatment and origin should be confirmed by an accredited gem laboratory before sale.