What Is The Difference Between Tanzanite And Amethyst

Amethyst and Tanzanite are gorgeous gemstones that have been widely used to give a beautifully unique feel to people's jewelry collections. They are both precious and elegantly grace a range of accessories such as necklaces and rings. Most jewelry lovers can only differentiate the two by their natural colors, but when keenly looked into, they are strikingly different.

What Is Tanzanite?

Tanzanite is one of the rarest gemstones to ever exist. It is relatively new in the world of gemstones. The discovery of Tanzanite was in 1967. This unique gemstone is found in a small area in the northern region of Tanzania, Merelani. The area, located around the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, is the only known source of the gem, hence the name Tanzanite. Its popularity and usage have rapidly increased over the years. Jewelers and jewelry lovers have embraced and valued the gemstone due to its fantastic color (intense blue-to-violet) and towering clarity. Since 1968, when its popularity immensely propelled, Tanzanite has been recognized and used the world over.

What Is Amethyst?

Amethyst is a pristine purple stone. It is glossy and recognized as one of the varieties of quartz. According to Forbes, the name Amethyst comes from a Greek word- Amethystos, that translates to mean not intoxicated, and has traditionally been used for spiritual and medical purposes. The enthrallingly colorful gem was a rare and very expensive adornment used only by the fortunate until the 1800s, when massive sediments were discovered in South America and later, more around other parts of the world. This made it less expensive. However, for thousands of years, Amethyst has maintained its place as a spectacle of its kind with undeniable attractiveness. It is the February birthstone.

The Difference Between Tanzanite And Amethyst

There are many differences between Tanzania and Amethyst but here are some of the major differences:

Color

Tanzanite occurs in a range of colors, from blue, pink, yellow, to green, but the most common and dominant color of all is blue. Thus its mineralogical name, blue zoisite. On the other hand, Amethyst has purple as its dominant color, but it also has light lavender and violet hues.

Value

Due to its rarity, Tanzanite has continued to be more expensive and valued than Amethyst.

Hardness

Tanzanite is a slightly soft stone when compared to Amethyst. When measured on the Mohs Scale, its hardness is around 6.5, while that of Amethyst is 7.

Density

Geologists have found Tanzanite to be denser than Amethyst. Tanzanite has a density of 3.35, whereas Amethyst's density is 2.66.

Crystal Structure

Like any other variety of zoisite, Tanzanite has an orthorhombic crystallization system. In contrast, Amethyst has a hexagon crystal structure.

Although the two stones have unique distinctions, from their color to structure, they are gorgeous and astoundingly elevate elegance. 

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