3 Kg Tanzanite Breaks Record

The largest ever tanzanite was mined by TanzaniteOne at its Merelani Tanzanite Mine in Northern Tanzania. The three kilogram rough gem has been named “The Mawenzi” after Kilimanjaro’s second highest peak.

The discovery was made 270 meters underground at the company’s Bravo Shaft, the southernmost shaft of TanzaniteOne’s license area. Weighing in at 16,839 carats (well over 3 kilograms) and measuring 220mm x 80mm x 70mm, the rough tanzanite piece is impressive in both size and structure, and according to known records, is the world’s largest single piece of tanzanite to have ever been mined.

“We were reluctant to name it Uhuru, after Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, on the off chance that a larger piece is ever found,” said Ian Harebottle, TanzaniteOne’s President and COO, about the name of the stone.

TanzaniteOne’s plans to analyze and evaluate the piece before any final decision is taken on the possible cutting and polishing of individual tanzanite gems from this crystal. TanzaniteOne is considering putting The Mawenzi on show for a period before cutting and polishing it.