Tanzan Aura Quartz
The Indigo-Veiled Crystal
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Quick Facts
Formation & Origin
Tanzan Aura Quartz is not a natural mineral but treated quartz, natural rock crystal (SiO₂) bonded in a vacuum chamber with a microscopic film of gold and indium that produces its iridescent blue-violet sheen. Tanzan Aura Quartz begins as natural quartz, which forms in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites when silica-rich fluids cool below roughly 573°C. Over thousands to millions of years, dissolved SiO₂ precipitates into hexagonal prisms within fractures and cavities in host rock. The base quartz crystal carries the geological history of its formation environment.
The "Tanzan Aura" treatment is a modern laboratory process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Natural quartz crystals are placed in a vacuum chamber and heated to approximately 871°C (1600°F). Vaporized gold and indium are then introduced into the chamber, where the metal atoms permanently bond to the quartz surface at the molecular level. The ultra-thin metallic film, just nanometers thick, creates the characteristic blue-violet iridescence through thin-film optical interference.
The name "Tanzan Aura" is a trade name chosen to evoke the color of tanzanite. It is important to understand that this is an enhanced product, not a naturally occurring mineral. The coating is durable under normal handling but can be scratched or damaged by abrasives. The base crystal is genuine quartz, but the color is entirely man-made.
Identification Guide
Tanzan Aura Quartz is identifiable by its vivid blue-violet metallic sheen that shifts with the angle of light. The iridescence sits on the crystal surface rather than penetrating the interior. Under magnification, the coating may appear slightly uneven at crystal edges and terminations, with occasional areas where the base quartz is visible. The crystal structure beneath remains that of natural quartz, with hexagonal cross-sections and conchoidal fracture.
Distinguish from natural tanzanite (which is a zoisite mineral with trichroic pleochroism and a hardness of 6-7), from amethyst (uniformly purple throughout, no surface sheen), and from aqua aura quartz (which uses gold only and produces a sky-blue rather than violet color). If you scratch a hidden area, exposed white quartz beneath confirms the coating is superficial.
Spotting Fakes
Since Tanzan Aura is itself an enhanced product, the primary concern is whether the base material is genuine quartz or synthetic glass. Check for natural inclusions, veils, and growth features inside the crystal. Glass will be too clean and may contain round bubbles. Genuine aura quartz has the coating bonded at high temperature, meaning it does not flake or peel under fingernail pressure. Low-quality imitations use paint, nail polish, or spray-on coatings that scratch off easily with a steel point. Run a hardness test on an inconspicuous area. If the surface scratches below 7, the coating may be a painted layer rather than CVD-bonded metal. Be wary of sellers calling this a "natural" stone. Any reputable seller should disclose the vapor deposition treatment.
Some links in this post go to Amazon. Crystal Almanac earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Tools recommended here are ones we would use ourselves to run the tests described - the recommendation comes first, the link is downstream of it.
Cultural & Metaphysical Traditions
Presented as cultural traditions, not scientific evidence
In modern crystal healing traditions, Tanzan Aura Quartz is associated with deepened intuition and spiritual connection, likely drawing on the visual similarity to tanzanite. Practitioners use it in meditation for accessing higher states of awareness. Some contemporary energy workers associate it with communication with spiritual guides, connecting the Third Eye and Crown chakras. Because it is a recently created product (post-1990s), it has no ancient or historical cultural traditions.
Metaphysical and “healing” associations are cultural traditions, not medical advice or scientific fact. Crystals are not a substitute for professional medical care.
Where It's Found
Primary source of clear quartz used as base material
Large quartz clusters treated for aura coatings
Significant production of coated quartz for global market
Price Guide
Good to Know
Scratch test: At hardness 7, Tanzan Aura Quartz can scratch glass and steel. It's durable enough for any type of jewelry.
Global supply: Found in 3 notable locations worldwide, from United States to China.
Heft test: Tanzan Aura Quartz has average mineral density (2.65). It feels about as heavy as you'd expect from a stone its size.
Care & Safety
What tanzan aura quartz can and cannot tolerate, based on its hardness (Mohs 7) and chemistry (SiO₂ (coated with Au and In)).
Can Tanzan Aura Quartz go in water?
Yes. Tanzan Aura Quartz is hard (Mohs 7) and chemically stable, so plain water is fine for rinsing and cleaning with mild soap. Avoid prolonged soaking, which serves no purpose, and dry the stone afterward.
Can Tanzan Aura Quartz go in salt water?
Not recommended, even though tanzan aura quartz itself is hard and not water-soluble. Salt is corrosive and mildly abrasive: it can dull a polished surface, attack metal settings, and crystallize inside small fractures as the stone dries. A brief dip will not destroy tanzan aura quartz, but rinse it with fresh water afterward and dry it. For routine cleaning, plain water is the safer choice.
Sources & References
The mineralogical and gemological data on this page is drawn from and can be cross-checked against these external references.
- WikipediaQuartz on Wikipedia
- WebmineralQuartz mineral data (Webmineral)
- Handbook of MineralogyQuartz (Handbook of Mineralogy, PDF)
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