What's the difference between Tanzanite and sapphire?

Nov 23, 2022

I wonder if you still remember the fascinating dark blue gem "Ocean Star" that ROSE wore in the film Titanic. This gem was once considered as a blue sapphire by countless people, but its real body is actually Tanzanite.

Our common Tanzanite is blue, blue purple or purple blue, while the top Tanzanite is dark blue, which is very close to the color of blue sapphire, so Tanzanite is often mistaken for blue sapphire.

Today we will talk about the method of distinguishing Tanzanite from blue sapphire:

1. Look at the color

Although the color of Tanzanite is similar to that of sapphire, most Tanzanite stones have a little purple tone, while blue sapphires usually do not have this feature, so we can first judge from the color and observe whether the gemstones have a purple tone.

Secondly, although they are both blue, the Tanzanite is brighter, while the blue sapphire is darker, which is also a simple way to distinguish.

2. Check the hardness

The hardness of Tanzanite is 6.5-7, while the hardness of sapphire is 9. We can use two kinds of gemstones to carve a gem with a hardness between the two without damaging the gem. This can also roughly determine whether the gem is Tanzanite or sapphire.

It needs to be added here that Tanzanite is easy to be scratched due to its low hardness, so it is generally not suitable for making rings.

3. Clarity

Generally speaking, compared with sapphires, Tanzanite is more pure and clear in texture. However, compared with top sapphires, it is unknown which is higher or lower in purity. Therefore, judging Tanzanite and sapphires from their purity can only be used as an auxiliary way.

4. Look at the size

It is a good way to look at the size, because sapphires are usually small, and 2-3 carat sapphires are already big;

In the Tanzanite family, dozens of carats of gems can be seen everywhere. Therefore, when we see a large blue gem on the market and are not sure whether its Tanzanite is a sapphire, we can prioritize it among Tanzanite.

5. Look at the price

It is well known that sapphire is expensive. Although Tanzanite is also valuable, it is still a little lower than sapphire, so it is also a good way to judge two kinds of gemstones by price.

These are a few simple ways to distinguish Tanzanite and blue sapphire with the naked eye. Can you see which of the pictures in the text are sapphires and which are Tanzanite?

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What's the difference between Tanzanite and sapphire?