News
Chanthaburi . 2008-08-30
Miners bring tanzanite, tsavorite
Tanzanite and tsavorite supply to our market was depending until recently on the success or failure of the few Thai importers in their gemstones buying abroad, especially from Tanzania.
Tanzanite and tsavorite supply to our market was depending until recently on the success or failure of the few Thai importers in their gemstones buying abroad, especially from Tanzania.
Until last months, tanzanite was available only in sizes over 10 carats, but now small independent miners bring in many different sizes and qualities, among them the much sought after, the 3 to 5 carats size. We even saw on the market some lots in millimeter sizes but their color was more purple than blue.
Tsavorite is now on the market in many different shades of green in sizes below 2 carats and some stones in the 5 to 10 carats are also available. Supply for this material is now quite steady and manufacturers are starting to produce mass market jewelry with it. Tsavorite is still a rare stone but supply does not depend anymore on a few importers luck.
Rubies which do not need heat treatment are coming directly from the new mines, spinels in sizes up to 10 carats are also on offer.
Also seen on the market, some lots of green and yellow sphene, material quite new for our market.
The release of passports and visas in Tanzania, which are now available to small scale miners has a positive effect. Supply for gems from this country is becoming more constant, thus increasing the world demand for new gemstones.
Tanzania is definitely becoming a major player in the gemstone field.
Source : Roger Pingley
Back to all news