Tanzanite!

[sestoppelman]

Tanzanite: Tanzanian miner earns millions after second rare find

Saniniu Laizer sells a Tanzanite stone for $2 million (£1.5m), months after a similar find.

www.yahoo.com

If I knew then what I know now I would have bought some when there in 1985! Was even offered some stones, sort of "off the books", by a woman at a gift shop waiting to go to the airport, but being ignorant of the gem in general and not knowing what I would be buying I passed. I was then paranoid about being either scammed, robbed or arrested until we got on the plane!! LOL. What an idiot!
But look at the story here about the giant stones being found of late. Holy Smokes!

 

[gillettehunter]

I am a jeweler and Lapidarist for over 40 yrs. Tanzanite is a beautiful stone. Here in the US we tend to prize the blue color most. Much of Europe prefers the purple color. I have seen tanzanite purchased in Tanzania 2 times. Both times I could of sold similar stones for the same or even slightly less money. Usually you'll pay full bore retail there.
In 1985 you might of gotten a bargain. Depends on how badly they want/need to make a sale. Those crystals shown in the article a huge. I'm sure they will be taken apart and cut into multiple stones. When get the chance I'll post a pic of an exceptional tanzanite that I cut about 2 weeks ago. It has very fine depth of color normally seen in bigger stones with more body mass.
Thanks for sharing the article. Very interesting.
Bruce

 

[John Telford]

Had a mate buy me a gem when he climbed Kilimanjaro only to find out it was a nice piece of glass...

 

[gillettehunter]

Here is the last Tanzanite I cut about 2 weeks ago.

 

[gillettehunter]

I cut and sell loose or mounted gemstones to help pay for my hunting and fishing. This one is available. Can text a video if anyone is interested.
Bruce

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Interesting coincidence, hunting and gems. My wife isn't anti, but she wont come hunting. We have a deal going - unlike you Gillette who sells gems to go hunting, I have to BUY gems to go hunting!

 

[sestoppelman]

Beautiful stone! What is the size, carat of it?

 

[gillettehunter]

3.10 ct. Should fit into a 10X8 standard mounting. It is brilliant cut more like a diamond. Doesn’t have the big belly native cut stones have.

 

[Chukar]

That is stunning!

 

[Brent in Az]

Stunning gem!

 

[John Telford]

Here is the last Tanzanite I cut about 2 weeks ago.
View attachment 360987

Fillet- Just watch out for table scratches and chipped corners on these stones before mounting as they are rather soft.

 

[gillettehunter]

Fillet- Just watch out for table scratches and chipped corners on these stones before mounting as they are rather soft.

Tanzanite does not make a good everyday ring stone. Occasional ring use is fine. It does tend to abraid moderately easily. It does make a excellent pendant stone. I have seen Tanzanite with scratches and abraisions before setting. Usually the result of poor finish work by a native cutter or being carried with other stones in a parcel paper. Be assured the one above has none of those issues!
Bruce

 

[Wheels]

Tanzanite does not make a good everyday ring stone. Occasional ring use is fine. It does tend to abraid moderately easily. It does make a excellent pendant stone. I have seen Tanzanite with scratches and abraisions before setting. Usually the result of poor finish work by a native cutter or being carried with other stones in a parcel paper. Be assured the one above has none of those issues!
Bruce

I am not in the market, but would you share with us what you would retail a stone like the above for?

 

[gillettehunter]

It's for sale from me directly at $350/ct for a total of $1085. In my store it would retail at $1890. I know that retailers in high rent districts would want more like $2490. A lot depends on thier overhead. Tanzanite prices cycle up and down more than most gemstones. A couple of years ago this stone would of been perhaps $250/ct. Tanzania has been exporting less rough and more of the cut stones. Putting their people to work. Those stones are cut with some of the facets below the critical angle. Simply put they leak light and don't look nearly as "bright" as this one is. Custom cutting adds a lot of sparkle to the finished product. I have a video of this stone I can text anyone who might be interested in this Tanzanite.
Bruce

 

[jeff]

Stunning work Bruce!!!

 

[Wheels]

Thanks for the information Bruce.

I know virtually zero about gem stones. It is interesting learning new things.

Good luck on getting it sold! It looks great!