Tanzanite engagement rings: So you are asking the love of your life to marry you, but you are in a quandary about the type of engagement ring to propose with. Why not show her what a rare and special gem she is to you by presenting her with a tanzanite engagement ring. Is her birthday in December, are you proposing in December, or is there a special date in December that you want to commemorate? Then tanzanite is the way to go as it was added in 2003 by the American Gem Trade Association as a birthstone for the month of December, the first gemstone added to the list in nearly one hundred years. Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in Tanzania, Africa and so far this is the only place that tanzanite is found and mined. Tiffany’s was the first to be presented with the gem after its discovery and they quickly realized its value. Through their promotion and advertising tanzanite engagement rings became one of the most desirable and well-liked gemstones in the world.

When looking at a tanzanite in different lighting, you will see a stone that consists of dark blue, green-yellow, and reddish-purple coloring. The most sought after color of tanzanite is the one that is deep blue with hues of purple at the edges. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable jeweler because some will substitute a different less expensive stone for tanzanite. Tanzanite may not be easy to find, but below are some websites that may offer you some help:

o http://www.myjewelrysource.com/tanzanite-rings.htm

o http://www.jewelsforme.com/itemlist-main.asp?

o http://www.ampalian.com/jewellery/search/tanzanite/

o http://www.ross-simons.com/Tanzanite/Rings.html

o http://www.angara.com/shop.do?cID=1941

Most, if not all, of the tanzanite engagement rings that you view will have been heat treated to bring out the blue coloring. Tanzanite in its natural form is typically gray or brownish in color. If at all possible, it is best to look at loose stones and purchase one to place into a setting of your choice. The reasoning behind this is that you get a much better look at the stone and can inspect it for cracks or blemishes. Tanzanite is a softer stone that can damage easily and if the stone that you select already has a crack in it, the possibility that stone is going break increases. As with most gemstones, a tanzanite can be in whatever shape you desire. The trillion cut is the most expensive cut, being triangular with fifty-eight facets to reflect light creating sparkle or fire. Due to the fact that tanzanite is only mined in Tanzania, it is probably going to be one of the more expensive stones to consider for an engagement ring.

As mentioned earlier, tanzanite is a softer stone than most so it needs to be given a little extra consideration when taking care of it. Do not place tanzanite engagement rings in an ultrasonic cleanser because the tanzanite will become damaged beyond repair. It is best to remove a tanzanite ring prior to washing dishes, using everyday household cleaners, or showering to prevent the stone from becoming damaged. To avoid damage when not being worn, place separately from other jewelry to prevent accidentally damaging the tanzanite stone. You should consider insuring your tanzanite against loss or theft because it is such a rare and valuable stone.What better way is there of saying “you are precious” than to present your bride to be with a precious and rare tanzanite engagement ring.

When purchasing Tanzanite engagement rings there are several main factors you need to consider – these are the 4 c’s – Color, Clarity, Carat Weight and Cut.

COLOR

Color is the most important of the 4 C’s when considering Tanzanite quality. It can also be one of the most confusing aspects as you surf the web as so many different sites use different terms/grading systems and it is difficult to effectively compare one with another.

COLOR GRADING SYSTEM

There is only one universally accepted official grading system for tanzanite engagement rings and that is the GIA system (Gemological Institute of America). However, there are numerous trade based systems as you will see when surfing the web. The majority of these are very subjective and vary widely. One of the terms commonly used (and misused) in the trade is AAA Tanzanite. This is a term used by the miners to denote the very top grade of Tanzanite – the very deeply saturated exceptional stones. Only 1% of all Tanzanite is this grade and this very deep color saturation is very hard to come by.

The GIA grade for these stones is bV 6/5 and vB 6/5. As color is such a visual medium I cannot give an adequate synopsis of the different color grades in this article but there is a very useful resource on the Lapigems Gem Company website by clicking on the various links under the heading “Tanzanite Education” on Lapigems Gemstone Company website. You will be treated to a multimedia presentation using moving pictures which will give you a very good visual exposure to what to look for in terms of color as well as tone and saturation charts illustrating how the GIA system works with color and what to look for in terms of how it applies to Tanzanite.

I will now move on to the second most important consideration – clarity.

CLARITY

Clarity is the second most important of the 4 c’s when considering Tanzanite quality. Clarity simply refers to how inclusion-free a gemstone is. Once again, the most universally accepted and most documented system is the GIA system but there are also numerous other trade based systems in use. The basic rule with Tanzanite is that it should be at least eyeclean but preferably loupeclean too. Top stones are loupeclean. Below is a chart showing the GIA clarity grading system.

VVS VS SI1 SI2 I1-3

VVS: This is the top grade in the GIA system. Tanzanite is classed by the GIA as a “Type 1″ gem which means it is graded very strictly. Stands for Very very slightly included and whilst most VVS Tanzanites are flawless they can contain minute inclusions which are difficult to see with a loupe (10x magnification) and invisible to the unaided eye. Typical minute inclusions may be very fine needles, tiny hairline feathers, very faint clouds and percussion marks.

VS: This stands for Very Slightly Included and these stones are characterised by minor inclusions which are somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification but usually invisible to the unaided eye. Typical inclusions may be small included crystals, liquid inclusions, fine needles, small feathers

SI1 – SI2: This stands for Slightly Included and these stones are characterised by noticeable inclusions which are apparent under 10x magnification. In SI1 they are usually visible and SI2 quite visible to the unaided eye. Typical inclusions are included crystals, large liquid inclusions, feathers, dense clouds.

I1-I2-I3: The lowest grade. Stands for Imperfect. These stones are characterised by inclusions that have a negative effect on either appearance, durability or both. At I1 there is a moderate effect on either factor, I2 a severe effect on either factor and I3 a severe effect on both factors.

In terms of Tanzanite, a top stone must be VVS. Any lesser clarity grade will affect the value downwards and denotes a lower grade stone.

CARAT WEIGHT

Tanzanites exist even in the 100+ carat range but these are rare. Generally stones are in the below 1 – 10 carat range. Carat weight affects the price generally as weight increases stones in the same quality bracket will cost more per carat.

CUT

Although it has the least impact on value of the 4 C’s cut is still important. In the market, tanzanites are found in a variety of shapes and cutting styles. Ovals and cushions are the most common, but rounds are also seen, as are other shapes, including emerald cuts, trillions, etc. Cabochon-cut tanzanites are not often seen. Cuts should be proportional – you don’t want to pay for a stone with alot of weight in the pavilion for example when this weight will be invisible in a setting of tanzanite engagement rings.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

FAKES / SYNTHETICS / IMITATIONS : Tanzanite has never been synthesized, but a number of imitations exist. The most common is blue-violet glass. A synthetic fosterite has also been used as an imitation and is known as Tanzanique in the trade. It has a lower RI than Tanzanite and does not have the same pleochroism so is easily distinguished from the real thing. However, laymen can easily be fooled so always buy from a reputable dealer, preferably a member of the ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association) which has a strict code of ethics.

ENHANCEMENTS: Virtually all gem tanzanite of a blue violet color has been heat-treated to enhance the color. In the rough state most Tanzanite is predominantly brown. Heating at 500 to 600 degrees centigrade causes this colour to change to blue. This is a permanent and stable change.

LIGHTING: A great deal of Tanzanite marketing makes a big deal of the “red flash” phenomenon of Tanzanite. This is one of the features of the stone and is due to Tanzanite’s trichroism. Tanzanite is extremely light sensitive, with incandescent lighting (yellow lighting found in common light bulbs) tending to shift its color to the violet side causing the red and pink flashes to appear within the stone.

WHAT IS BLOCK D TANZANITE?: Block D Tanzanite is a term commonly used in marketing Tanzanite. Block D simply refers to the area from which material is mined. The Tanzanite mining area has been divided into 4 blocks by the Tanzanian government – Blocks A to D. Traditionally, larger quantities of the best material was found in block D so the term became synonymous with the top grade. However, it has become a bit of a marketing ploy recently and is a term misused as it implies that only block D produces the AAA grade. This is not the case – AAA comes from all blocks, block D has traditionally just produced more of it than the others. It is best to ignore the term as it is simply a marketing ploy and it is largely misused. It is better to use more scientific and official grades like the GIA system than to rely on subjective trade terms.

This article has tried to cover all the main points that should be taken into account when buying Tanzanite. Undoubtedly there will be others I have missed but if these basic tenets are adhered to and understood, the minefield of Tanzanite purchase should be a safer place.

Tanzanite is unique

Tanzanite is the most unique gemstone known to man. This is because in a small corner of the Earth, at the foothills of Africa’s tallest and most majestic mountain in Tanzania, lie the only deposits of Tanzanite in the world. Located there are the Merelani mines, covering only about 16 square kilometers, where tanzanite is sourced. This magnificent, vivid blue gemstone cannot be found anywhere else, making it 1000 times rarer than diamonds. Your tanzanite engagement ring truly exotic. In fact, experts have estimated that the Melerani deposits will be depleted by 2016, this means that tanzanite is running out so now is the time to invest in it. So in a few years to come your tanzanite ring will be the only one of its kind, containing one of the world’s most coveted gemstones.

Tanzanite is pleochroic

This means that the gemstone has a unique ability to radiate different colors, depending on which angle you look at it. It can exhibit a range of colors including blue, purple, lavender and violet depending on how the light falls on it. A few other minerals have this property, but it is particularly pronounced in tanzanite. This mesmerizing property makes tanzanite gemstones even more unique and exotic.

Tanzanite rings are gaining popularity

They are doing so faster than any other gemstone ring. While tanzanite was only discovered about 40 years ago, the gem has already reached celebrity status and several Hollywood sweethearts have been spotted donning elegant tanzanite rings, including Cate Blanchett, Terry Hatcher and Elle McPherson.

The mining of tanzanite is very tightly regulated

This regulation is done by the Tanzanian government. This means that when you purchase your tanzanite engagement ring, you can be rest assured that the tanzanite has been sourced legitimately. A large portion of the proceeds are used to develop communities in the surrounding areas, building schools, housing and hospitals. So not only will you be purchasing a one-of-a-kind engagement ring, you will also be supporting developing communities.

Reasonably priced

While tanzanite is becoming increasingly rare, you can still buy a tanzanite engagement ring at a very reasonable price. However, these prices won’t last very long as the gemstone becomes more scarce. There’s never been a better time to make tanzanite engagement ring investment.

The first thing to consider when creating your wedding tanzanite ring is the shape. This is the geometry of the stone and can be round which has a 360 symmetry with more sparkle, square modern shape, marquise regal shape, classic emerald shape, radiant shape (a combination of round and emerald), oval shape (a variation of the round), asscher cut (a more square emerald shape), pear shape, heart shape and cushion.

The next step is choose your diamond using the four cs – carat, color, clarity and cut. These four attributes determine the value of a diamond. Carat is your diamonds weight. Color refers to how clear a diamond is. The clearer the stone is, the more valuable the diamond is. Clarity refers to how many flaws a diamond has. The fewer the flaws, the more expensive the diamond is. Cut refers to how the diamond is fashioned. Angles, proportions, symmetry, and polish maximize a diamonds brilliance and sparkle.

The last thing to consider is the tanzanite wedding ring size. A wider band will look better on long, slender fingers, while a narrow band will complement a smaller hand. For a flatter look, pick a diamond and setting that are proportionate to the tanzanite wedding ring size.