The four blue faceted gemstones that are most often seen in commercial jewelry in the United States are aquamarine, topaz, sapphire, and tanzanite. Although they are all “blue” in color, each one is unique.

Tanzanite occurs in a range of tones and color saturations that will appeal to almost any buyer who likes any of the other blue gems. The four rings in the accompanying image contain tanzanite gems that range in color from a vivid blue at top left to a very light blue at lower right.

Tanzanite gems with a strong-to-vivid blue, purplish blue and violetish blue color are the most valuable. The two rings at the top of the image are examples. These rich colors are the most appealing to the majority of people shopping for tanzanite.

Most tanzanite has a light to medium tone and low to medium saturation. The two tanzanite rings at the bottom of the image are examples. Although these gems are not considered to be top color, many people prefer them and gladly pay their lower price. Tanzanite in these softer colors often appeals to buyers who like aquamarine and blue topaz.

Tanzanite stands out in mall and chain store jewelry displays because many stones have a distinct hint of purple or violet in their color. People who have experience looking at gems and pay attention to color can often notice tanzanite in a display case of blue gems.

Tanzanite and sapphire are the two favorite blue stones in the gem marketplace. Tanzanite is a gem that many people desire because of its unique beauty and characteristics. Others purchase tanzanite because it has a beauty similar to sapphire, usually at a much lower price.

Tanzanite also competes with lab-created sapphires that are lower in price than natural sapphires. In that comparison, some buyers will select tanzanite because they would rather have a stone that was created by nature instead of one created in a lab.

Tanzanite colors: The tanzanite gems in these rings show a range of blue color that can be found in tanzanite. Most buyers prefer stones with a strong-to-vivid blue color like the ones in the top row of this image. These stones sell for a much higher price than stones with a lighter color. However, many people prefer the lighter-color gems and gladly pay their lower price. Tanzanite has a range of blue colors that place it in competition with sapphire, blue topaz, and aquamarine.