Any Tanzanite experts that can help me choose a gem?

[kiyyum]

I''ve finally decided to make the ring of my dreams, but every website has their own rating for color/hue and it''s confusing me. Can someone please be kind enough to just tell me which gem is the "best"? I tend to like the darker/bluer gems most when I see them in person.

8.19ct: http://tanzaniteamerica.com/TZ110A.html
11.8ct: http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2519
12.61ct: http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=1363
13.11ct: http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2270

Also, are these places OK to buy from? Has anyone had any experience purchasing from them before?

Thanks!

 

[chrono]

Date: 6/27/2009 11:21:11 PM
Author:kiyyum
I''ve finally decided to make the ring of my dreams, but every website has their own rating for color/hue and it''s confusing me. Can someone please be kind enough to just tell me which gem is the ''best''? I tend to like the darker/bluer gems most when I see them in person.

8.19ct: http://tanzaniteamerica.com/TZ110A.html
11.8ct: http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2519
12.61ct: http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=1363
13.11ct: http://www.paraibainternational.com/product_info.php?product=2270

Also, are these places OK to buy from? Has anyone had any experience purchasing from them before?

Thanks!

The links are now clickable. I have heard good things about PI and Lapigems. I have not purchased from Lapigems but they were very helpful. I have not heard of TanzaniteAmerica.

 

[chrono]

The 4 you have chosen are very dark, expecially the one from Lapigems. My concern is that you will see a black stone with blue flash. You might one to consider one that is nedium dark blue with blue flash.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

There is a wide difference between what collectors call "ideal" and what a person likes best. The darker shades you preffer are not the tanzanite ideal, but go for it if it is what makes you smile.

My humble opinion:

1 - The outline seems wonky to me. It seems like an odd mix of a cushion and a trillion: it has 3 sides like a trillion, but the corners are too rounded and the right edge seems to bulge out too much
2 - This is my favourite
3 - Too dark. You mention that you like darker blues, but I think that this one will look nearly black and dead
4 - I like this one as well

By the way, 8 - 12 cts is huge for a ring! Since tanzanite is both pretty soft and has perfect cleavege (if you hit it in the right angle, it just splits apart), you should be very careful wearing this. Is this an occasional wear ring?

 

[Barrett]

The color does seem a little heavy but that could be because of the extinction...I think the black in the photos draws away the blue color..you can''t let the extinction bother you when picking... it''s inevitable

 

[ma re]

Of those four, I''d say #2 is my favorite, followed by #1 (because of the color). I think the other two are a bit too dark.

 

[LD]

All the stones you have picked are more at the end of what is considered to be the favoured colour by experts i.e. more blue than violet. All four of your choices are blue.

I haven''t heard of the first company and so wouldn''t recommend buying from there unless you know them personally or get recommendations.

Paraiba International and Lapigems are well regarded. I have bought from Lapigems and their gemstones are without doubt, top quality. Having said that, of your four choices theirs is my least favourite because it''s too dark.

#2 is the best for colour/brightness.

I have an 5ct trilliant cut in a pendant (my first Tanzanite purchase) and it''s a bit wonky but it''s deep and huge! I find that the largest I can wear on my hand is around 6ct. Above that it looks a bit too blingy!!! Half way down this link you''ll see some of my Tanzanites with the sizes so you can judge how big/small they look. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/questions-on-8-10ct-tanzanite.104538/

 

[chrono]

I took a closer look at the measurements and the stones are about 15 mm. My entire finger circumference is only about 18 mm or so.

So the top half of my finger is about 9 mm!!! The ring would have to sit extremely high on the finger and tanzanites are really not suitable as everyday ring stones. As mentioned by Lady D, they have perfect cleavage and hit it just right and the tanzanite will split in two.