Tanzanian Sapphire — Unheated
ENCYCLOPEDIA · SKYJEMS
Tanzanian Sapphire — Unheated
- Key concepts
- tanzanian sapphire, umba sapphire, unheated sapphire, fancy colour sapphire, tanzania gemstones
Tanzania is one of the more varied sapphire sources working today. The Umba Valley in the country's northeast is the best documented of its deposits, and what comes out of it is unusual less for any single colour than for how far the colours range — pinks that lean orange, greens, teals, yellows, purples, and blues, often in the same parcel.
Most sapphire reaching the world market has been heated to improve its colour or clarity. An unheated stone is one that arrived at its colour in the ground and has not been thermally enhanced since. That distinction is worth confirming stone by stone rather than assuming, so review each listing and its accompanying documentation for the individual gem.
Available stones
Our unheated Tanzanian sapphires span a wide colour range — pink, blue, yellow, green, purple and teal — and several are documented to the Umba Valley specifically. Skyjems' selection changes as stones are added or sold; review each current listing for its own documentation. Browse /collections/sapphire for available options.
Gemological characteristics
Sapphire is gem corundum, an aluminium oxide, and sits at 9 on the Mohs scale, which is what makes it a sound choice for pieces worn daily. Red corundum is called ruby; corundum of every other colour is sapphire, which is why a single deposit can yield stones that look nothing alike. Tanzanian material is known for that fancy-colour breadth rather than for one house style, and a proportion of it reaches the market unheated.
Private viewings
Contact Skyjems at +1-416-366-3335 or visit Skyjems' private-viewing page.