Largest tanzanite

Tanzanite is a blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite and one of the rarest gemstones. It is found only in a small area in the north of Tanzania. On 24 June 2020, news broke that labourers working for the mine owner Saniniu Laizer had uncovered two of these valuable crystals, the largest of which weighed 46,350 carats (9.27 kg; 20 lb 6.9 oz).

The smaller of the two tanzanites found in June 2020 weighed 25,515 carats (5.103 kg; 11 lb 4 oz). Laizer received a cheque for 7.7 billion Tanzanian shillings ($3.3 million; £2.6 million) from the country’s government. He planned to use the money to build a school and shopping mall in his local area, but said that 10% of the money would be shared among his work force.

Remarkably, it was reported on 3 August 2020 that a third large tanzanite, weighing 31,500 carats (6.3 kg; 14 lb), had been found at Laizer’s mine. He sold this one to Tanzania’s government for an estimated $2 million (£1.5 million).

Tanzanite was first identified in 1967.