18kt Yellow Gold Oval Tanzanite Diamond Ring

This tanzanite and diamond ring sets a 0.55 carat oval tanzanite in four prongs at the center of a band of 18kt yellow gold, with a row of round diamonds running down each side of the shank. The diamonds weigh 0.50 carats together, for 1.05 carats of gemstones in all. Everything below describes this exact ring, which you can see and try on at our Boca Raton showroom.

The tanzanite and diamond ring at a glance

Here are the specifications of this tanzanite and diamond ring, as recorded for this piece.

At the center is an oval tanzanite of 0.55 carats, held in four prongs. Its color is recorded as light blue in our listing; in the photographs and in person it shows the soft violet-blue that tanzanite is known for.

Along each side of the band sits a row of round brilliant cut diamonds, each held in its own prongs. Together they weigh 0.50 carats and are graded G color, a near-colorless grade.

The band is 18kt yellow gold, and the ring weighs 3.5 grams according to our listing. It can be sized to fit.

In short, it is a classic tanzanite and diamond ring: a single colored center stone, a line of white diamonds on either side, and warm yellow gold holding it all together.

Is the 1.05 carats one tanzanite?

No, and it is worth being clear. The 1.05 carats is the total weight of every stone in the ring, not the weight of the tanzanite.

The oval tanzanite is 0.55 carats. The round diamonds on the band add 0.50 carats. Together they make 1.05 carats of gemstones.

That balance is what gives this tanzanite and diamond ring its look: a colored center of a comfortable everyday size, with almost as much diamond weight spread along the band.

An oval tanzanite ring

The oval is one of the most flattering shapes for a colored gemstone. It shows plenty of color from above, and its length draws the eye along the finger, which can make the hand look longer and slimmer.

This oval tanzanite ring holds the stone lengthwise, north to south, in four prongs. Four prongs keep as much of the tanzanite visible as possible, so the color reads clearly from across a room.

An oval also suits tanzanite for another reason. Tanzanite shows different shades of blue and violet depending on the angle you view it from, and an oval cut lets those shades play across the stone as the hand moves.

The center sits a little above the band, so light can enter the stone from the sides as well as the top. From the side, you can see the prongs and the open basket that lift the oval above the diamonds.

About tanzanite

Tanzanite is the blue to violet variety of the mineral zoisite. It is found commercially in only one place in the world: a small mining area in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro.

It was discovered there in 1967 and introduced to the wider market shortly after, named for the country where it is found. In the decades since, it has become one of the best-known colored gems in jewelry.

The Gemological Institute of America notes that tanzanite is known for its strong pleochroism, which means it shows different colors when viewed from different directions. Blue, violet and sometimes a hint of burgundy can all appear in a single stone.

Most tanzanite on the market is heated to develop its blue and violet color, a permanent and widely accepted practice. The written appraisal records what is known about this stone.

Why pair tanzanite with diamonds?

Blue and white is a natural pairing. In this tanzanite and diamond ring, the white diamonds frame the tanzanite with sparkle, and the tanzanite gives the ring a single point of rich color.

The diamonds also do something practical. Because they run down the shank, the ring shows sparkle from every angle, not only from above. Even when the center stone turns slightly on the finger, the band still catches the light.

G color diamonds are near-colorless. Next to a violet-blue stone and set in yellow gold, they look bright and white.

A yellow gold tanzanite ring

Tanzanite is most often seen in white gold or platinum, so this yellow gold tanzanite ring has a warmer, more traditional feel than many tanzanite pieces.

Yellow gold and violet-blue sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, so each makes the other look richer. The gold warms the whole ring, and the tanzanite looks cooler and deeper against it.

The band is 18kt gold, which is 75 percent pure gold. That gives it a deeper yellow than 14kt gold, and it is a good choice for anyone who prefers the rich color of higher-karat gold.

At 3.5 grams, the ring has a comfortable, substantial feel without being heavy. The yellow gold prongs around the diamonds blend into the band, so from a distance the diamonds read as a single bright line.

A tanzanite engagement ring

With a single colored center stone and diamonds on the band, this ring has the shape of a classic engagement ring. It is a natural choice for a tanzanite engagement ring for someone who wants color instead of a traditional white diamond.

There is one thing to know before choosing it for daily wear. Tanzanite is softer than diamond, sapphire or ruby, at about 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. It can take everyday wear, but it needs more care than a harder stone.

For a tanzanite engagement ring, that means taking it off for the gym, gardening, cleaning and anything else that could knock the stone against a hard surface. It also means avoiding sudden changes of temperature and never cleaning it in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

Worn with that kind of care, a tanzanite and diamond ring can be enjoyed for many years. The four prongs hold the stone securely, and we can check them for you whenever you visit.

A December birthstone ring

Tanzanite is one of the birthstones for December, alongside turquoise and zircon. It was added to the modern birthstone list in 2002, the first change to that list in many years.

That makes this a thoughtful December birthstone ring for a birthday, an anniversary or any milestone in the winter months. The diamonds on the band add sparkle and make it feel like a special occasion piece.

Tanzanite is also the traditional gift for a 24th wedding anniversary, so this tanzanite and diamond ring can mark that year as well.

As a December birthstone ring, it can be worn on the ring finger or the right hand. It sits comfortably next to a plain gold band or a slim diamond band.

Tanzanite or blue sapphire?

Tanzanite and blue sapphire are often compared, because both are blue gems that look beautiful with diamonds. They are different stones, and each has its own strengths.

Sapphire is corundum, 9 on the Mohs scale, and is one of the hardest gems used in jewelry. It is usually a purer blue, and it is found in many countries around the world.

Tanzanite is zoisite, softer and found in only one small area of Tanzania. Its color usually leans toward violet, and it shows a shift between blue and purple that sapphire does not.

For many people, that violet-blue color is the reason to choose a tanzanite and diamond ring. It looks softer and more unusual than sapphire, and it has a glow that is easy to recognize once you have seen it.

Tanzanite also offers a larger look for the budget than many fine blue sapphires. That lets a tanzanite and diamond ring carry a generous center stone and a full row of diamonds at a comfortable price.

If you plan to wear a ring every day through hard work and travel, sapphire may be the more practical choice. If you want a softer color and are happy to give the stone a little care, tanzanite is a lovely alternative.

We can show you both side by side at the showroom, so you can compare this tanzanite and diamond ring with a sapphire ring under the same light.

How the diamonds are set

The round diamonds on the band are each held in their own small prongs, rather than in a channel. This is sometimes called a shared-prong or prong-set band.

Prong setting lets more light into each diamond than a channel would, so the band sparkles brightly. It also keeps the metal around each stone to a minimum, which makes the diamonds look larger.

The diamonds run from the center stone partway down each side of the shank, so they show from above and from the side. The lower part of the band is plain yellow gold, which keeps the ring comfortable and makes sizing simpler.

Choosing a tanzanite and diamond ring

When you compare rings like this one, look first at the color of the center stone. Tanzanite ranges from pale lavender to deep violet-blue. Lighter stones like this one are bright and lively; deeper stones are darker and more saturated.

Next, look at the size of the center stone against your hand. A 0.55 carat oval is an easy everyday size. It has presence without standing high off the finger.

Then consider the metal. White gold makes tanzanite look cooler and bluer; yellow gold, as in this ring, makes it look warmer and more violet. Both are classic choices, and the right one depends on the rest of your jewelry.

Finally, look at the diamonds. This tanzanite and diamond ring carries half a carat of G color diamonds on the band, so the sparkle is a real part of the design, not just an accent.

How to wear a tanzanite and diamond ring

This ring can be worn on almost any finger. On the ring finger it makes a colorful engagement or anniversary ring; on the right hand it becomes a striking everyday piece.

It pairs well with other yellow gold jewelry. Tanzanite or diamond studs create a coordinated look, and a slim yellow gold chain keeps the outfit warm and simple.

The violet-blue tanzanite also works well with navy, gray, white and purple clothing, and it looks especially good against warm skin tones in yellow gold.

For a bolder look, stack a thin gold band or a slim diamond band on either side; the oval tanzanite stays the focal point.

How to judge a tanzanite and diamond ring in person

Start with the tanzanite. Look at it in daylight and indoor light. Tanzanite can look bluer in daylight and more violet under warm indoor light, and seeing that shift is part of its appeal.

Next, turn the ring slowly. Watch how the color moves across the oval as the angle changes, and check that the stone looks lively rather than dark.

Then check the prongs. The four prongs around the tanzanite and the small prongs around each diamond should all sit firmly against the stones.

Finally, put it on. A ring looks different on the hand than in a photograph, and seeing the tanzanite against your own skin is the best test.

Caring for your tanzanite and diamond ring

Clean the ring in warm, not hot, water with a drop of mild dish soap. Brush gently around the prongs and under the center stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Our jewelry care guide has more detail.

Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner on tanzanite, and keep the ring away from harsh chemicals and sudden changes of temperature.

Take it off for the gym, gardening and cleaning, and store it on its own so harder stones cannot scratch the tanzanite. Have the prongs checked from time to time. We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for jewelry bought from our store.

Seeing this tanzanite and diamond ring in Boca Raton

Tanzanite color is best judged in person. You are welcome to try this tanzanite and diamond ring on at our Boca Raton showroom and look at the tanzanite and the diamonds under a loupe.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30. Directions are on our Visit Us page.

David Stern Jewelers has served Boca Raton for over 40 years. David Stern is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, so detailed questions about the stones can be answered on the spot.

Sizing, appraisal and insurance

This ring can be sized to fit. The diamonds run only partway down the band, so there is plain gold at the back to work with. We confirm before any work is done.

It includes a written jewelry appraisal by David Stern, which describes the tanzanite, the diamonds and the gold and gives a replacement value for insurance.

More tanzanite jewelry

See our tanzanite bracelet in white gold, our tanzanite and sapphire pendant, or browse all our rings.

Questions about this tanzanite and diamond ring