🇹🇿 Tanzania → the world · via Kenya

Tanzanite & Tanzanian Gemstones — Export Supply

Tanzanite — a violet-blue variety of zoisite — is found commercially only in the Merelani Hills near Arusha, making Tanzania its sole source. Tanzania also produces spinel (Mahenge), ruby (Winza, Longido), sapphire (Tunduru, Songea), tsavorite and other garnets, tourmaline and diamonds (Williamson mine).

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Overview

Tanzanite is supplied cut and polished from licensed dealers, as Tanzanian law restricts export of rough tanzanite. All gems ship with Mining Commission valuation and export permits.

Main markets: USA, India (Jaipur), Thailand, UAE, Hong Kong, Europe.

Types, grades & specifications

Typical specifications; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation, inspection report and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 3 · 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Tanzanite (cut & polished)

Violet-blue zoisite, graded by colour (AAA, AA, A) and clarity.

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Specifications

Mineral	zoisite, Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)
Hardness (Mohs)	6–7
RI	1.69–1.70
Colour grades	AAA, AA, A, B
Treatment	heat-treated (industry standard)
Origin	Merelani, Tanzania only

Type 2 of 3 · 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Spinel, Ruby & Sapphire

Mahenge spinel and Tanzanian corundum, rough (where permitted) and cut.

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Specifications

Spinel hardness	8; RI 1.71–1.72
Corundum hardness	9; RI 1.76–1.77
Lab reports on request

Type 3 of 3 · 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Garnet, Tourmaline & Other Gems

Rhodolite, tsavorite, spessartite, chrome tourmaline and more.

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Specifications

Sold by carat (cut) / gram (rough)
Mining Commission valuation & permit

Producing regions in Tanzania

Region	Notes
Merelani Hills (Simanjiro, Manyara)	The world's only tanzanite mines.
Mahenge (Morogoro)	Pink and red spinel.
Tunduru & Songea (Ruvuma)	Sapphires and alluvial gems.
Longido & Winza	Ruby.

Season

Year-round.

Packaging

Sealed parcels; insured secure shipment

Export routes

Sea: Dar es Salaam (TZDAR), Tanga (TZTGT), Mtwara (TZMYW — cashew), Zanzibar (TZZNZ)
Northern Tanzania → Namanga / Holili–Taveta → Nairobi / Mombasa: 1–2 days by road
Air: Julius Nyerere Intl, Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Mwanza (MWZ) — or via Nairobi JKIA

Documents

Commercial invoice & packing list
Certificate of Origin (EAC / SADC / general)
Phytosanitary certificate (TPHPA)
Crop board export permit (cashew, coffee, tea, sisal)
Quality / weight inspection certificate
Mining Commission export permit & valuation (gemstones, gold)
Fish export health certificate (fisheries products)

HS codes: 7103.91 / 7103.99 (worked precious & semi-precious stones)

Tanzania requires gemstones such as tanzanite to be value-added locally — rough tanzanite exports are restricted, so we supply cut stones from licensed dealers. Raw cashew and some oilseeds are sold through regulated auction systems with export levies; we advise on current rules at quotation.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Product Buying Guides

Buy Tsavorite, Gemstones & Soda Ash from Kenya: A Licensed Supplier Guide

How to buy Kenyan gemstones and industrial minerals legally — permits, valuation, lab reports — and the warning signs of scams.

Read guide →

Sourcing Countries

Import from Tanzania: Cashew Nuts, Sesame, Pulses, Zanzibar Cloves & Tanzanite Suppliers

Tanzania's main export commodities, how its auction systems work and how to ship from Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga or via Mombasa.

Read guide →

Export Market Guides

Import Gemstones & Minerals to India from East Africa: Tsavorite, Tanzanite, Garnet & Soda Ash

Coloured stones for Jaipur, soda ash for industry and pulses for India's dal mills.

Read guide →

Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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