Written by Elie Ammoun, Graduate Gemologist (IGI) — Luna Dura, Al Durrah Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Reviewed for gemmological and historical accuracy.
Tanzanite is December's modern birthstone, and it is unlike almost any other stone in the case. It was discovered within living memory, it comes from one small patch of the earth, and its colour changes depending on the angle you hold it. This guide covers what natural tanzanite actually is, how to tell real tanzanite from lab-created and imitation stones, what heat treatment means for the species, what tanzanite costs in Dubai, and which 925 sterling silver tanzanite jewellery we hold in the studio on Sheikh Zayed Road.
What is tanzanite, and why does it come from only one place on earth?
Tanzanite is the blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite. It was found in 1967 in the Merelani Hills, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, and in nearly six decades of searching no second deposit has ever been confirmed anywhere else in the world. Tiffany & Co. brought it to the international market and gave it the name tanzanite after the country. The American Gem Society added it to the official December birthstone list in 2002, the first change to that list since 1912.
That single source is why you will see tanzanite called rarer than diamond. The comparison is about geology rather than price: diamonds are mined on several continents, tanzanite on one hillside. You will also read that the deposit will be exhausted within twenty or thirty years. Those are forecasts made by people with a commercial interest in the answer, not established facts, and we would treat them as such. What is not in dispute is that supply is finite and concentrated in a way that almost no other gem's is.
Tanzanite in the Gulf — التنزانيت
In Arabic the stone is التنزانيت, and December's birthstone is described as حجر بخت شهر ديسمبر. Tanzanite arrived in the Gulf market late compared with pearl, turquoise and emerald, but its colour did not need any introduction here. Deep azure blue is the colour of the Hamsa eye, of the nazar, of enamel work across the Levant and the Gulf, and of the sky at the hour before maghrib. It reads as protective and as festive at the same time.
That is why our tanzanite sits where it does. Three of our four tanzanite pieces are Hamsa designs — كف فاطمة, the hand of Fatima — with the stone set at the eye of the palm, the point that turns al-ayn away from the wearer. Against a black abaya the blue-violet reads clearly under both daylight and evening light, which is a practical argument as much as an aesthetic one. Tanzanite is also the traditional gem of the 24th wedding anniversary, which makes it a natural gift stone for a December birthday or a milestone anniversary.
December has three birthstones — tanzanite, turquoise and zircon
Unusually, December carries three official stones, and the thread that connects them is blue.
- Tanzanite — the modern addition, blue-violet, single-source, and the rarest of the three.
- Turquoise (الفيروز) — the oldest of the three by far, with deep Persian and Gulf heritage; historically the finest material came from Nishapur in Iran. Note that a great deal of turquoise on the market is stabilised or reconstituted, which should always be disclosed.
- Zircon (الزركون) — a natural mineral, and worth being precise about: zircon is not cubic zirconia. CZ is a man-made diamond simulant. Natural zircon is a genuine gemstone with high dispersion, found in blue, colourless, and warm honey tones. The similar names cause a lot of confusion and occasionally a lot of overpaying.
If you are shopping for someone born in December, any of the three is correct. Tanzanite is the one most people mean when they say December birthstone jewellery today.
What gives tanzanite its colour, and what should you look for?
Tanzanite is strongly pleochroic, showing blue, violet and a brownish or burgundy tone from different crystal directions. Cutters therefore have a real decision to make: orient the stone to show maximum blue and lose weight, or keep weight and accept more violet. This is why two tanzanites of the same carat weight can look entirely different and be priced entirely differently.
In general, blue-dominant stones with strong saturation command the highest prices; lighter and more violet material is more available and considerably more affordable, and has genuine charm of its own. Many stones also shift towards violet under warm indoor light, which is part of the pleasure of wearing them.
A word on grading: you will see tanzanite advertised as AAA, AAAA, or AAAAA. These are trade shorthand used by sellers, not a standardised laboratory grading system, and one house's AAA is another's AA. Judge the stone, or ask for an independent report.
Is tanzanite heat-treated?
Almost certainly, yes — and this is normal. The great majority of rough tanzanite comes out of the ground with a brownish cast, and gentle heating, typically in the region of 600°C for a short period, removes it and brings the blue-violet forward. By gemstone standards this is a mild treatment, far less aggressive than what is routinely done to sapphire, and the result is permanent and stable. It does not make the stone any less natural: it is the same mineral, formed in the earth.
Genuinely unheated tanzanite exists and is scarce enough to carry a premium. If a seller is charging you extra for unheated tanzanite, ask for an independent laboratory report that says so — the claim is easy to make and hard to verify by eye.
Our position is the same as it is on blue topaz and aquamarine: we tell you what has been done to the stone. Every tanzanite we set is natural tanzanite, and you should assume it has been heated in the standard way unless a report accompanying it states otherwise.
How do you tell real tanzanite from lab-created or imitation stones?
Several different things are sold under the tanzanite name, and only one of them is tanzanite.
- Tilt the stone. Real tanzanite shifts colour as you turn it — blue one way, violet another. A stone that holds one flat colour from every angle deserves a closer look.
- Coated and treated quartz. Sometimes marketed under invented trade names, this is quartz with a surface coating. The coating can wear at the girdle and facet junctions.
- Glass and cubic zirconia. Blue-violet glass and CZ are cheap and common. Neither is tanzanite, and neither should ever be described as equivalent to it.
- Synthetic forsterite. A laboratory-grown material that mimics tanzanite's colour shift closely enough to fool the eye. This is the one that catches experienced buyers out, and it needs instrumentation to separate.
- "Lab-created tanzanite". Be careful with this phrase. There is no meaningful commercial synthetic tanzanite in the way there is lab-grown ruby or sapphire; goods sold under that label are usually simulants of a different material entirely. Ask what the stone actually is, mineralogically.
- Price. Fine tanzanite is not cheap and never has been. A large, vividly blue stone at a low price is telling you something.
Every natural stone we set is checked in-house. Verified by Elie Ammoun, Graduate Gemologist (IGI). Independent certification is available upon request on any tanzanite piece or loose stone.
Tanzanite vs blue sapphire vs blue topaz
These three get confused constantly, and the differences matter.
Blue sapphire is corundum, Mohs 9, with no cleavage — the hardest-wearing of the three and the most expensive by a wide margin at comparable quality. Tanzanite is softer and rarer, with a violet character sapphire does not have. Blue topaz is the most affordable, and its blue is almost always the result of irradiation and heating of colourless topaz — a stable, standard treatment we disclose on every blue topaz piece we sell.
If you want the colour and the rarity story, tanzanite. If you want a stone for a ring worn every single day without thought, sapphire. If you want the blue at an accessible price, topaz.
Tanzanite in astrology — a cultural tradition
Because tanzanite was unknown before 1967, it appears in no classical text. What has happened instead is that Vedic practitioners have adopted it as an upratna, a substitute stone, for Neelam — blue sapphire — which is governed by Shani (Saturn). Blue sapphire is regarded as fast-acting and demanding, so substitutes are commonly recommended for those advised against wearing it directly, or for whom the cost is prohibitive.
In that tradition tanzanite is worn on the middle finger, set in silver, and first put on a Saturday, and it is associated with the signs Capricorn and Aquarius — which is convenient, as they cover most December birthdays. Our tanzanite is set in 925 sterling silver, which suits this practice.
We offer this as cultural and astrological tradition, which is how it is held and valued by the people who follow it. It is not a medical claim, and no gemstone should be treated as a substitute for medical care.
How much does tanzanite cost in Dubai?
Loose tanzanite is priced per carat, and colour saturation drives that price more than any other factor, followed by size, clarity and cut quality. Larger stones rise steeply in price per carat because large rough is scarce.
In the Dubai market you will find two ends and very little in between. Loose-stone dealers sell certified material by the carat. The gold houses set tanzanite with diamonds in 18K, where finished pieces run well into five figures in dirhams. What has been missing is the middle: a genuine, certifiable natural tanzanite in a well-made 925 silver setting at a price a real person buys a birthday gift at. Our tanzanite pieces run from AED 495 to AED 1,862, and that is deliberate.
Is tanzanite durable enough for everyday wear?
Tanzanite sits at roughly 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and has one direction of perfect cleavage, meaning a sharp knock at the wrong angle can split it. In practice this is a stone that rewards a sensible setting and ordinary care rather than anxiety.
Earrings and pendants are the safest formats, since they take very few knocks. Rings are perfectly wearable in a bezel or otherwise protected setting, which is how ours are made — just take the ring off for the gym, for heavy housework, and before swimming. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam entirely; warm water, mild soap and a soft brush are all tanzanite needs. Sudden temperature changes are worth avoiding too, which in Dubai mostly means not going straight from a hot car into cold water.
Tanzanite jewellery in Dubai — what we hold
Four pieces, all natural tanzanite, all set in 925 sterling silver, all in the studio now.
- Hamsa Kaf Fatimah Necklace — Azure Enamel & Natural Tanzanite — AED 775. The stone sits at the eye of the palm against hand-applied azure enamel. Our most-asked-for tanzanite piece and the easiest to wear daily.
- 925 Silver Hamsa Kaf Fatimah Bracelet — Azure Tanzanite — AED 775. The same design language on the wrist; pairs with the necklace as a set.
- Kaf Fatimah Hamsa Ring — Azure Enamel & Tanzanite — AED 495. A protected setting, sized 50 to 58.
- Tanzanite Chandelier Earrings — Natural December Birthstone — AED 1,862. The statement piece of the group, and the one that carries the most tanzanite. Made for a wedding, an eid gathering, or a significant birthday.
These sit within our wider gemstone jewellery collection in 925 sterling silver. Order now and WhatsApp +971 52 220 0582 to confirm same-day delivery in Dubai. Other emirates take one to two business days. You are also welcome to see the stones in person at the studio in Al Durrah Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the Museum of the Future.
Bespoke and loose tanzanite
We source loose tanzanite for bespoke commissions on the same terms as our other stones. Tell us the colour you want — blue-dominant or the softer violet — along with an approximate carat weight and what you want it set into, and we will bring options to the studio for you to see side by side before anything is committed. Independent certification is available on any loose stone. Enquiries by WhatsApp are the fastest route.
Frequently asked questions
What month is tanzanite the birthstone for?
December. It shares the month with turquoise and zircon, and was added to the official list in 2002.
What is tanzanite called in Arabic?
Tanzanite is التنزانيت, and December's birthstone is described as حجر بخت شهر ديسمبر. The month's other two stones are turquoise, الفيروز, and zircon, الزركون.
Is tanzanite rarer than diamond?
By source, yes — tanzanite comes from a single small area in Tanzania, while diamonds are mined across several continents. Rarity and price are not the same thing, though: fine diamonds still cost considerably more per carat than most tanzanite.
Is all tanzanite heat-treated?
Nearly all of it. Gentle heating removes a brownish cast and brings out the blue-violet. It is permanent, stable and standard for the species, and it does not make the stone less natural. Unheated material exists and is rare — ask for a report if you are paying a premium for it.
How can I tell if my tanzanite is real?
Tilt it: real tanzanite shows different colours from different angles. A single flat colour, a suspiciously low price, or wear along the facet edges all point towards coated quartz, glass or a synthetic. An independent laboratory report is the only conclusive answer, and we can arrange one.
Should I ask for a certificate when buying tanzanite in Dubai?
Yes, and it is normal practice here — whether you are in the Gold Souk in Deira, at Gold & Diamond Park, or buying from a boutique. Certification is what separates a natural tanzanite from coated quartz or a synthetic that looks identical in a display case, and it is the document that protects you on resale or insurance. We verify every natural stone in-house and arrange independent certification on request. A seller unwilling to put a stone in front of a laboratory is telling you something.
Is tanzanite a good investment?
That depends entirely on the stone, and we would be wary of anyone who answers with a flat yes. Large, well-cut, strongly blue certified tanzanite has held and in many cases gained value, on the back of a genuinely finite supply. Small, pale, commercial-grade material has not, and should be bought because you like wearing it. Our silver pieces are made to be worn rather than held as an asset. If value retention is your aim, buy the largest, best-coloured certified loose stone your budget allows and keep the paperwork.
Which finger is tanzanite worn on?
In Vedic tradition it is worn on the middle finger, set in silver, and first put on a Saturday, as a substitute for blue sapphire under Saturn. This is cultural practice rather than a rule — most people simply wear it where they like it.
Can I wear tanzanite every day?
Yes, with a little judgement. Earrings and pendants are effectively worry-free. Rings should be in a protective setting and taken off for sport, cleaning and swimming. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner on tanzanite.
Is tanzanite a good wedding, Eid or anniversary gift in the UAE?
It works well for all three. Tanzanite is the traditional gem of the 24th wedding anniversary, and its blue-violet reads clearly against a black abaya in both daylight and evening light, which is why it suits Gulf occasion dressing. For anyone born in December it carries the added meaning of being their birthstone. Earrings and pendants are the safer choice as a gift because they need no sizing.
Is there VAT on tanzanite jewellery in the UAE?
Yes. Finished jewellery sold to consumers carries the standard 5% VAT in the UAE, for residents and visitors alike — the zero-rated treatment Dubai is known for applies to investment-grade bullion traded between VAT-registered businesses, not to retail pieces. Non-resident tourists can reclaim most of it through the Federal Tax Authority's Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme, operated by Planet: ask for a tax-free tag at the time of purchase, spend at least AED 250 with the one retailer, and validate at a Planet kiosk before checking your luggage, within 90 days of purchase.
Where can I buy tanzanite jewellery in Dubai?
For loose certified stones, the dealers are concentrated in the Gold Souk in Deira and at Gold & Diamond Park on Sheikh Zayed Road — ask for certification wherever you buy. For finished tanzanite jewellery, our natural tanzanite pieces in 925 sterling silver run from AED 495 to AED 1,862, available online with same-day delivery in Dubai or to view at our studio in Al Durrah Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite the Museum of the Future. Loose tanzanite for bespoke work is sourced on request. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 52 220 0582 to arrange either.
More birthstones
Tanzanite is one of twelve. For the full month-by-month guide to birthstone meanings, jewelry and gift ideas in the UAE, see our Complete Birthstone Guide.
For the other blue stones, read our blue topaz guide and our March aquamarine guide, or see the July ruby and August peridot birthstone guides.
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