8.81 Ct. Cabochon Tanzanite from Tanzania

This translucent violet tanzanite weighs 8.81 carats, and measures 14.18 x 9.39 x 7.08 mm, presenting a classic oval outline rendered as a cabochon. The cutting style is a domed cabochon, designed to emphasize saturated body color and to display uniform color when set, rather than to maximize facet born brilliance. The dome height at 7.08 mm provides a substantial profile that enhances the perceived depth of color, while the oval proportions maintain visual balance for a variety of mounting styles. The piece displays vivid color intensity, a saturated violet hue that results from both its natural composition and the standard heat enhancement applied to this material. Heat treatment is a stable, industry standard enhancement for tanzanite, applied to reduce brown pleochroic components and to develop the prevailing violet and blue tones. The gem originates from Tanzania, the unique locality that gives tanzanite its name, and this provenance contributes to its market significance.

At an eye level clarity grade of included, the stone contains internal characteristics that are visible without magnification, and these include linear and feathery growth features typical of zoisite family material. The inclusions are oriented in keeping with natural crystal growth, and in a cabochon they become part of the visual texture of the gem, sometimes creating attractive internal reflections and localized color variation. For discerning buyers, these inclusions are indicative of natural origin and provide identification cues, while the translucency ensures that light transmission remains sufficient to exhibit the vivid body color. Tanzanite is trichroic, with strong pleochroism presenting blue violet and brownish tones along different crystallographic axes, and when cutting a cabochon, azimuthal orientation is used to favor the violet blue face color. The excellent polish on this tanzanite minimizes surface diffusion and enables a clean, reflective dome that enhances apparent saturation and visual clarity, while precise symmetry of the oval outline maintains even optical flow across the surface.

From a gemological and practical perspective, this cabochon offers both aesthetic and technical advantages. The cabochon cut is intentionally selected for pieces where color response and translucency are prioritized over faceted sparkle, making this specimen ideal for settings that emphasize glowing color fields, such as closed bezel mounts and pendant centers. Given tanzanite hardness around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and its distinct cleavage, protective mounting is recommended, to reduce the risk of edge chipping or cleavage related damage during wear. Ultrasonic cleaning is not advised for included material, and routine cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft cloth will preserve the polish and color. The Natural Gemstone Company presents this tanzanite as a collector grade color gem, suitable for bespoke design projects where the cutter choice, orientation and setting will be coordinated to showcase the violet saturation and the cabochon silhouette. For jewelers and connoisseurs seeking a substantial, vividly colored tanzanite cabochon with characteristic natural inclusions and a high quality finish, this 8.81 carat oval from Tanzania represents a technical and aesthetic combination that is both distinctive and immediately wearable.