Certificate of authenticity for mahenge spinel

[omc111]

Hi eveybody--

I'm new to colored stones. I recently bought a mahenge spinel from Swala Gem Traders. It arrived without a certificate of authenticity and when I emailed Eric at Swala Gem Traders asking for one, I got no response. Should I be concerned? I feel like I'm buying blind here...

 

[athenaworth]

Has he not responded to you since you received it? Hopefully he's just away or something. Fingers crossed my friend.


ETA
I just looked on their website and it says: We are the Ambassador to Tanzania for the International Colored gemstone Association (ICA) and will issue certificates of authenticity. Maybe they just forgot to include it in the packaging? Maybe you should amend your post to include their names. I've seen them respond often on this site, and then you'll get answer. *fingers crossed*

 

[omc111]

Haven't heard from him since he emailed me that the stone had shipped. That's why I'm wondering if what I'm asking for is unusual.

 

[Arkteia]

It sometimes takes him a while to respond to emails. As to the certificate, since it is hard to mail the stones out of Tanzania, I do not think he ever supplied the certificate, at least not in the same package. Keep on trying, he'll probably respond.

 

[omc111]

Is that why the stone came packaged in such an odd way?

 

[SB621]

What do you mean by odd? I have recieved lots of gemstones heavily packaged and wrapped to make sure they are not damaged. Is this what you mean?

I'm sure he just forgot. While I have no personal experience with that company I havent' read any negative reviews on them. Most people are very happy with their purchases from there and if not they do quick returns etc.

 

[Aoife]

Is that why the stone came packaged in such an odd way?

Yes. Personally, I'm very fond of the packaging!

Eric does a fair amount of traveling. He always responds to his email, but it may take a while if he is on the road.

 

[Cind11]

I never got a certificate of authenticity when I got my Mahenge from Swala.

 

[bright ice]

I bought a rather expensive Mahenge Spinel from Swala and did not get a certificate.

 

[T L]

What is this "certificate of authenticity?" If the gem doesn't have a reputable lab report (which you can obtain yourself), then a COA is meaningless. Anyone can write a COA. What you need is a reputable third party neutral lab that proves a memo or report that verifies the stone is natural and free of treatment or invasive treatment.

 

[fierypyropixy]

No certificate for me, either, but I honestly never thought about it. With the secretive way of shipping, likely he doesn't include it with the stone for the sake of safety. And, like TL says . . . if you're nervous about it not being real, a "hey, this is a Mahenge spinel" note taped to the stone doesn't really do anything about the true authenticity.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I think what TL said has more bearing on the authenticity of the stone. I have never heArd of such a thing for stones. It should be on your receipt.
Annette
PS Someone thought they wouldn't have to pay for a lab report and thought this would do. Maybe?

 

[bright ice]

The only reports that I would trust is AGL or maybe GIA.

 

[omc111]

Please don't misunderstand. I love the stone--it's absolutely beautiful and I certainly meant no disrespect to Swala Gem Traders. Since I'm new, I was just trying to be careful...back to lurking I think.

 

[athenaworth]

Please don't misunderstand. I love the stone--it's absolutely beautiful and I certainly meant no disrespect to Swala Gem Traders. Since I'm new, I was just trying to be careful...back to lurking I think.

You're completely free to ask this question, OMC. Please don't let the abrasiveness of some scare you back into lurkdom.

 

[Aoife]

Please don't misunderstand. I love the stone--it's absolutely beautiful and I certainly meant no disrespect to Swala Gem Traders. Since I'm new, I was just trying to be careful...back to lurking I think.

You asked a perfectly reasonable question, no need to apologize.

Many people on the CS forum send gemstones to someplace like AGL for an independent report. It's not always worth doing if the gemstone was very inexpensive. A local graduate gemologist can tell you if something is synthetic, but only a few places can do some more sophisticated tests. Don't ever be embarrassed to ask questions!

 

[pregcurious]

Your question was perfectly good omc11. No worries. Post on.

 

[chrono]

Good point about the CoA as I've never heard of one. That said, it is just a piece of paper that does not have much value in itself. If you are concerned about whether the stone is authentic, you are better off getting a fast track brief from AGL which is a reputable lab that is well recognized in the coloured gemstone world/market.

I rather like the unusual packaging from Swala which I think is to deter theft and general mailing curiousity. Most of the time, the brothers are on the road so email responses can be spotty but when they are in town, the response is very quick.

 

[omc111]

The method of packaging makes sense now that I think about it. I just couldn't find the stone for awhile and panicked a little!

 

[T L]

Please don't misunderstand. I love the stone--it's absolutely beautiful and I certainly meant no disrespect to Swala Gem Traders. Since I'm new, I was just trying to be careful...back to lurking I think.

You're completely free to ask this question, OMC. Please don't let the abrasiveness of some scare you back into lurkdom.

?????

If you have a problem with people on this board Athena, then take it up with the moderators. There's no need to be insulting to others trying to help the OP.

 

[Upgradable]

I think you may be over-reacting, TL. It is a common perception that CS is somewhat the Wild West of PS. It can be a scary place for newbies.

 

[T L]

I think you may be over-reacting, TL. It is a common perception that CS is somewhat the Wild West of PS. It can be a scary place for newbies.

Upgradable, no offense, but I think Athena can explain her comment. I took offense to it, as people like you, me and others do try to help others on this forum, and to insinuate that some of them are abrasive, is rude. Many of us, who are very long time posters, get absolutely nothing for helping others in this forum, and I swear, I don't know why I even bother sometimes.

If she wanted to make her point, she didn't have to call people abrasive. Again, I think Athena should explain her comment, or if she has problems with people on this board, instead of openly insulting them, take it up with the moderators. They can best alleviate the situation.

 

[minousbijoux]

I actually attribute it to the sterile, expressionless nature of written communication - no emotion other than emoticons. The words, if delivered face to face, would most likely be softened by the tone of voice or a sympathetic facial expression but are not at all. I always try and keep this in mind when reading someone's emails; sometimes I think people read posts as critical or condescending but I think about the writer and know that's not at all how they meant it...the whole message is not coming through, only the words without the modifying gentleness bestowed by the nonverbal stuff...

 

[Upgradable]

I actually attribute it to the sterile, expressionless nature of written communication - no emotion other than emoticons. The words, if delivered face to face, would most likely be softened by the tone of voice or a sympathetic facial expression but are not at all. I always try and keep this in mind when reading someone's emails; sometimes I think people read posts as critical or condescending but I think about the writer and know that's not at all how they meant it...the whole message is not coming through, only the words without the modifying gentleness bestowed by the nonverbal stuff...

I agree.

TL, I'm not defending or speaking for Athena. It's just that I didn't read the statement as an intentional insult.

 

[T L]

I didn't read the statement as an intentional insult.

I did, and in the past, if I had insulted some people, I had the consideration to explain myself, and/or apologize. You were also not part of the grouping of people in this post that I believe she insulted. Again, if people have problems with other people on this board, and it is really upsetting them, they should tell the moderators. Heaven knows, I have been offended and insulted numerous times on this board, and let it go, and I know others have been offended by me as they told me so. I will say that I never intentionally tried to offend anyone, but I can only use so many emoticons. . .

Just not a happy, feely, touchy, lovey, emotional person, sorry. I tell it like it is, and that's my writing style. I apologize if this comes off as "abrasive."

 

[minousbijoux]

I didn't read the statement as an intentional insult.

I did, and in the past, if I had insulted some people, I had the consideration to explain myself, and/or apologize. You were also not part of the grouping of people in this post that I believe she insulted. Again, if people have problems with other people on this board, and it is really upsetting them, they should tell the moderators. Heaven knows, I have been offended and insulted numerous times on this board, and let it go, and I know others have been offended by me as they told me so. I will say that I never intentionally tried to offend anyone, but I can only use so many emoticons. . .

Just not a happy, feely, touchy, lovey, emotional person, sorry. I tell it like it is, and that's my writing style. I apologize if this comes off as "abrasive."

Sorry if I wasn't clear TL. I was saying that I didn't read anything into your comments - didn't get intentional insult or abrasiveness - I was not referring to AW.

 

[athenaworth]

I didn't read the statement as an intentional insult.

I did, and in the past, if I had insulted some people, I had the consideration to explain myself, and/or apologize. You were also not part of the grouping of people in this post that I believe she insulted. Again, if people have problems with other people on this board, and it is really upsetting them, they should tell the moderators. Heaven knows, I have been offended and insulted numerous times on this board, and let it go, and I know others have been offended by me as they told me so. I will say that I never intentionally tried to offend anyone, but I can only use so many emoticons. . .

Just not a happy, feely, touchy, lovey, emotional person, sorry. I tell it like it is, and that's my writing style. I apologize if this comes off as "abrasive."

The CS board can be intimidating. Pure and simple. My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Sorry if you decided to take it personally TL.

 

[Arkteia]

I think that we may be intense and very diverse in opinions, but it is related to a striking subjectivity of "beauty" when it comes to color.

If one reads threads about someone losing a stone, or having problems with a vendor, or requesting to source out a stone, or help with a design, it becomes obvious that sometimes we are also a very supportive bunch.

 

[T L]

I didn't read the statement as an intentional insult.

I did, and in the past, if I had insulted some people, I had the consideration to explain myself, and/or apologize. You were also not part of the grouping of people in this post that I believe she insulted. Again, if people have problems with other people on this board, and it is really upsetting them, they should tell the moderators. Heaven knows, I have been offended and insulted numerous times on this board, and let it go, and I know others have been offended by me as they told me so. I will say that I never intentionally tried to offend anyone, but I can only use so many emoticons. . .

Just not a happy, feely, touchy, lovey, emotional person, sorry. I tell it like it is, and that's my writing style. I apologize if this comes off as "abrasive."

The CS board can be intimidating. Pure and simple. My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Sorry if you decided to take it personally TL.

I think that would have been a better way of putting it instead of calling people "abrasive." Thanks.