What do complete beginners need to know about buying gemstones?
If there’s one thing newbies need to know, it’s that despite so many gems, styles, and metals to choose from, it helps to know the differences among natural, laboratory-created, and imitation gemstones.
Another thing that can make jewelry buying easier is to understand what carats mean, as well as a basic knowledge of different gemstone treatments or enhancements. Of course, if you already know all of this, the next stage is learning more about specific stones.
Here, we’ll focus on tanzanite vs. diamonds, and how to make the best choice for your needs.
The Beauty of Tanzanite Stones
One question that’s frequently asked is how rare is tanzanite? Compared to diamonds, tanzanite stones are much rarer.
That’s because they can only be found in the Merlani foothills, a small area in Tanzania. You should note that unless someone discovers a new source of tanzanite, there’s a possibility the current mines will be empty in about two decades. This will make the prices of tanzanite stones higher, so it’s quite a good idea to invest in them now.
After sapphire, it’s the second most popular colored gemstone. It’s also considered as one of the birthstones for December, along with turquoise and zircon. You can view more information on tanzanite including its color range (from pale lavender to rich cornflower blue to vivid purple) by doing further research or asking a gemologist.
The Classic Charms of Diamonds
Some people compare tanzanite and diamonds based on price alone. If you’re sticking to a budget, you should know that diamonds are still more expensive than tanzanite.
One reason why diamonds still cost a lot more per carat is durability. A diamond is about 60 times harder than any other mineral on earth including tanzanite.
Diamonds also have more sparkle and clarity than tanzanite stones. Of course, the cut of the gem influences these properties, so if you’re set on buying a diamond, make sure to opt for a high-quality cut.
Another quality where diamonds are superior to tanzanite stones is brilliance, but this is expected. Since tanzanite is a colored gemstone, its brilliance cannot compare to that of a diamond. For this reason, when someone asks, “Is tanzanite expensive?” the answer is “Compared to diamonds, even the rarest tanzanite is much cheaper.”
Tanzanite vs. Diamonds: And the Winner is…
…what your heart wants. If you like rare gems, it’s good to buy tanzanite jewelry now since they could run out in this lifetime.
You could also never go wrong with a diamond. After all, this dazzling stone has remained in demand for centuries, and it will remain a valuable gem for years to come.
And if you’re still torn over which one to choose, just remember that you can always buy both. A good jewelry collection is diverse so it would be great if you can own both diamond and tanzanite pieces.
Want to Learn More Jewelry Buying Tips and Advice?
Now that you know the deal with tanzanite vs. diamonds, you may want to start learning about other gems.
For more jewelry buying tips and advice, feel free to check out our other articles.
