Tanzanite Color Grading from AAAA to A: Buyer’s Guide

Tanzanite is an extraordinary and increasingly popular semi-precious gemstone. It is the blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite, and because it occurs only in one small region of Tanzania in Arusha, it is notably rare.

This guide walks you through what you need to know when buying tanzanite — including how to differentiate between the commonly used quality grades: AAAA, AAA, AA and A.

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Why Tanzanite is special

Tanzanite was first discovered in Tanzania in 1967 and named after the country of its origin. It is revered not only for its exotic coloring – a mix of blue, violet and sometimes subtle red flashes because of strong pleochroism – but also for the symbolism attached to it: insight, understanding, sensitivity, individuality. 

While gem-symbolism may vary, many wearers feel tanzanite exudes calmness, composure and harmony.

In the gems and jewellery market today, tanzanite is one of the top coloured gemstones after the usual sapphire, ruby and emerald choices, especially for buyers who seek something a little different. Tanzanite jewellery is also loved by celebrities the world over.

Tanzanite Quality Factors: What determines value

Colour is the most important factor for tanzanite’s value. The richest and most deeply saturated blue-violet stones command the highest prices. The stone’s pleochroism means it can appear differently when viewed from different directions — blue-leaning from one angle, violet-leaning from another.

Clarity & luster are also critical. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), tanzanite is classified as a Type I gem (relatively free of visible inclusions) so eye-clean clarity adds value.

Cut matters because the cutter must account for pleochroism and bring out the best color face-up; a well-cut tanzanite will display consistent brilliance and rich tone.

Carat weight influences color saturation: larger stones are more likely to show the richest colors.

Understanding the Tanzanite grading: A → AAAA

 

While there is no industry-wide standardized grading system for tanzanite, many companies use a letter-grading scale such as A, AA, AAA, AAAA to help communicate quality. Here’s a typical breakdown:

Natural AAAA Tanzanite

The very top tier of natural tanzanite. These stones have intense saturation, deep violet-blue or blue-violet color, are essentially eye-clean, and are extremely rare.

Thus AAAA represents the top 1-2% of all Tanzanite gemstones in the world.

Natural AAA Tanzanite

High quality stones, slightly less intense than AAAA, with strong blue-violet color and good clarity. 

AAA tanzanites are approximately the top 10% of all Tanzanite available in the world.

Natural AA Tanzanite

Mid-tier grade, moderate to good color (violet-blue with some purple overtones) and moderate clarity.

AA Tanzanite is within the top 33% of all Tanzanite in the market. It offers good quality at an accessible price point.

Natural A Tanzanite

More accessible grade, lighter blue-violet shades, good value for budget-conscious buyers, though color and clarity will be less exceptional.

A Grade Tanzanite is within the top 75% of the Tanzanite available and offers a good value for budget-conscious buyers.

Buyer’s Notes

Prioritize tanzanite color over size: a smaller tanzanite gem with superb color is often a better buy than a larger gem with weak color.

Because tanzanite is softer and less tough than many gems (hardness ~6–7 on Mohs scale), choose protective settings if you plan to wear it daily.

Always deal with a reputable tanzanite manufacturer, ask for full details (origin, treatment, clarity) and view the gem in natural light to judge color accurately.

In summary, if you’re contemplating a tanzanite purchase, use the AAAA → A grading as a rough guideline, but always evaluate the gem on its own merits: vibrant and deep color, good clarity, a well-executed cut and a trustworthy tanzanite seller, like Jewelspire.

With those in place, you'll be well-informed and confident in your choice.