Also called ‘Tanzanite', this gem is found in two color variations- blue and green. It was first discovered in the mid 1960's in Africa, at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro . The more common blue variety is simply called ‘tanzanite' (while other colors are specified) and it is blue with violet, red, green or yellow undertones. The most prized tanzanite is a deep blue with a very faint violet undertone. The stronger the undertones, the less value on the stone, so that truly purple stones will have less value than blue ones and light lavender stones will retail the lowest. The lovely color of this gem have made it very popular in the market, and today you can find high quality, blue tanzanite with very faint undertones for

$500-$1300 per carat for gems less than 3 carats, $770-$1500 per carat for gems of 4 or 5 carats and $830-$1600 per carat for gems ranging between 5 and 20 carats.

There is also a less common green variety, which ranges from bright, solid green with either yellow, gray or blue undertones, but this is new to the market and there are no set prices for it as yet. It usually sells for about $1500-$5200 per carat weight for stones less than 3 carats, though this may fluctuate a great deal. Tanzanite is imitated rather frequently, so be wary of a very expensive piece and test it before purchase. Usually it is produced from a material called ‘coranite', which is a synthetic corundum and sometimes its made of glass.