Tanzanian miner digs up gemstone worth $2m

A Tanzanian miner has dug up a lump of one Tanzanite- one of the world's most rare gemstones which is valued based on its color, rarity and sometimes, clarity.

Pic: AFP

Saniniu Laizer, 52, was first covered by different publications in June after he discovered two lumps of Tanzanite near his home in northern Tanzania. He repotedly became a millionaire with his discovery.

Just last month, Laizer, who is a husband to four women and father to 30 children, was paid $3.35 million by the Tanzanian government from the auction of the two gems. 

Yesterday, he made history again when he discovered a third lump of Tanzanite. The gem weighs 14 pounds and has a dark violet-blue color.

Tanzanite can be only in northern Tanzania. According to the BBC, the gem is valued at $2 million and is among the diminishing Tanzanite left in in the world.

As for Mr Laizer, he has promised to use most of the money to build schools for his community, also saying that he would not allow his earnings change his lifestyle. He said he plans to continue taking care of his 2000 cows.