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Fact or Fiction? What to look for when buying tanzanite online.
“D Block tanzanite is better” – FICTION
When you buy tanzanite online, you will often hear of the term ‘Block D’ tanzanite used in reference to top quality. Don’t be sucked in by the hype – this is the internet’s biggest tanzanite myth.
The world’s only tanzanite mining area is split up into four blocks – named A – D. While it is true that Block D exists, it has become an urban legend that only high quality tanzanite comes from this mining area. In fact, great and poor quality material comes from all four mining areas: A, B, C and D.
What’s more, there’s no scientific way to tell from which block any specific piece of tanzanite was mined; true tanzanite industry professionals won’t even attempt to use such silliness as a selling point.
The worlds only tanzanite mining area, showing blocks B,C & D. Thousands of small and medium sized miners tunnel for tanzanite in blocks B & D, whilst TanzaniteOne operate a modern mining operation in Block C. There is no scientific way to tell from which block a piece of tanzanite originally was found in, and no basis to the claim that”D Block” is better quality.
“Tanzanite is running out”- FACT
TanzaniteOne – the largest tanzanite mining company has 30 years left or less. In 2013, independant geologists – estimating reserves for the London Share Market (AIM) where TanzaniteOne was listed – estimated that the reserves at TanzaniteOne will be depleted in 31 years.
This is at TanzaniteOnes current rate of mining. However, as deeper depths are reached (and TanzaniteOne are already the worlds deepest purely gemstone mine) extraction becomes even more difficult, so the mining may finish earlier.
The smaller mines in the other tanzanite lease blocks ( B & D ) are currently mined using very simple methods and basic air supply systems, and do not have the ability to dig any further without significant investment and the purchase of mechanized mining equipment – thus their ability to dig much deeper is also restricted. No data for the amount of tanzanite left in the the several hundred small mine sites situated in D & B block sites exists.
Want evidence ? Read the Official Share Market Report Life of TanzaniteOne Mine Report – Completed for the London Stock Exchange.
“Unheated” Tanzanite is more valuable – Be Wary.
Be wary of retailers touting ‘unheated’ tanzanite for a price premium. Tanzanite has to be heated to turn its distinctive blue color. A very small percentage of tanzanite is excavated already blue; the result of natural heating underground. The rest is heated artificially to enhance the color after it is mined. Tanzanite which has not been heated after excavation is very rare.
Many people find this idea of extra rare tanzanite very appealing . However, before you pay more for the rare piece of tanzanite on offer, you should be aware that this claim can’t be substantiated. There is no way scientists can currently tell if tanzanite has been heated before or after mining.
*It is important to note that whilst tanzanite is ” heated” it is not “heat treated” – a term which gemologists give to sapphires after they have been heated for days at temperatures close to melting point, which changes their chemical structure and dramatically effects their value.
Buyer Beware. “Unheated tanzanite”. There is no way scientists can currently tell if tanzanite has been heated before or after mining , and being heated or not has no effect on value.
AAA+ Grade Tanzanite – Be wary.
The truth is that ‘Triple A’ or AAA, is a term used by gemstone traders between themselves to describe the quality of tanzanite. These are people who trade tanzanite daily, and whose income depends upon their good reputation in a very small and tight-knit industry. They have to describe their stock accurately and keep their word if they want to stay in business.
However, the term is also frequently used by online traders who don’t have the same accountability born of having gemstone experts as their customers, to simply imply a good-quality stone. 90% of the time, it’s used incorrectly; whether out of ignorance or deliberate deception doubtless depends upon the trader. It has no scientific basis and is not a recognized or regulated tanzanite grading system.
“AAA+ Tanzanite” could mean literally anything. This grading system has no scientific basis and is not a recognized or regulated tanzanite grading system.