Unveiling the Mysteries of Tanzanite Clarity and Inclusions: 8 Things You Need to Know!

Tanzanite is a stunning gemstone discovered in 1967, only found in Tanzania. It’s a blue-violet stone that has become increasingly popular over the years due to its beauty and rarity. However, like all gemstones, Tanzanite has varying levels of clarity and inclusions that can affect its overall appearance and value.

Here are the top 8 things you need to know about Tanzanite clarity and inclusions:

1. Clarity grades: The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a grading system to evaluate the clarity of Tanzanite. The highest grade is “Loupe Clean,” which means there are no visible inclusions under 10x magnification. Next is “Eye Clean,” which means there may be minor blemishes or inclusions visible under close inspection but not obvious to the naked eye. Finally, there’s “Included,” meaning that visible flaws impact the stone’s beauty.

2. Inclusions: Some common types of inclusions found within tanzanites are cleavage planes, fingerprints, needles or crystals inside the gemstone.

3. Color zoning: While color zoning isn’t technically an inclusion or blemish on its own, it does affect how light refracts through the stone and can appear as if it is an inclusion when viewed from certain angles.

4. Surface-reaching fractures: These occur when a crack extends from the surface into the interior of a gemstone; they’re often called feathers because they resemble bird feathers when viewed under magnification.

5. Natural imperfections: Tanzanites can have natural imperfections such as growth lines or cavities formed during their formation process without any human interference

6.Treatments & Enhancements: Heat treatment is commonly applied for enhancing tanzanite color intensity whereas oil treatments might be used to fill cracks on lower quality gems

7.Certifications matter – Always purchase your Tanzanites from a reputable dealer that can provide detailed clarity reports as well as certification of authenticity.

8. Value: Tanzanite’s value is determined by its color, cut, clarity and carat weight. A stone with high clarity and little to no inclusions will be considered more valuable than one with visible flaws.

In conclusion, Tanzanites are beautiful stones that come in various levels of quality and value. When purchasing a tanzanite gemstone, it’s important to consider the level of clarity and any inclusions present. Always purchase from a trusted source who can provide certification of authenticity along with detailed reports on the stone’s characteristics so you can make an informed decision about your purchase.