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Diamond rings in Tanzania - help needed

D

Dr. Impossible

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
2

Hi


I plan to propose to my girlfriend in Tanzania in June this year (I''m from Ireland and we will be spending 3 weeks on holiday there). We will be spending the first week climbing Kilimanjaro and I plan to propose to her once we make it to the top (hopefully we''ll both get there!). I am going to propose with a cheap imitation ring so that she can then pick out her own ring somewhere in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar as she has always wanted to pick her own ring.


I would be very grateful for any suggestions/recommendations for reputable jewellers in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. This link:
http://tanzaniabook.com/en/shopping/jewellers-and-jewellery/
gives a long list of jewellers in Dar but I wouldn''t have a clue where to start.

I know it''s a very specific question but any help would be much appreciated.

 
Congrats!! I hope you have a great trip.

I was in Tanzania for my honeymoon and we looked at a couple of shops for Tanzanite jewelry - frankly the prices were outrageous compared to the US for low quality Tanzinite. I would be surprised if you didn''t get so much of a selection and the prices were very high. Maybe I was in the wrong places/shops but the selection wasn''t great either --- then again this is a very poor country and I would guess that there isn''t a huge market for something like diamond engagement rings.

I''d be very cautious in any case and definitely use a credit card, even then you might not have great protection in case the ring isn''t as sold. I do realize you''re facing a high VAT tax at home for a ring purchase.

Are you doing a safari? We did that and loved it --- well except for Stone Town, hated, hated, hated it. Otherwise we had a great trip.

Btw. I''m going to Ireland at the end of this month myself with my DH.
 
Forgot to add that I think some of the gem dealers talked about in the colored stone subforum might be based in Tanzania and therefore more able to help you.

Oh yeah masks were also insanely expensive- -- except from some random shop at a tiny airport--- just in generally I was very surprised at prices compared to my visit to Ghana years ago. I mean its strange I can get the same thing for cheaper in the US! (Then again so much is made in China, Asia, and imported --- too bad).
 
I wouldn''t buy an engagement ring in Tanzania, but they do have an active gold mining industry, so if you wanted a momento from your trip, how about buying wedding bands made of Tanzanian gold?
 

Thanks for the advice all. Yes winternight, we’ll spend our first week on the mountain, then safari and then finish off in Zanzibar on the beach.


The sense I am getting from your posts is that it would not be a good idea to buy a diamond ring in Tanzania. The points that you make seem sensible. I was under the impression that I could get a good quality diamond cheaper in Tanzania than I could in Ireland. Is this wrong?


If anyone has a different view to those already posted I would be glad to hear it as I would be willing to buy in Tanzania if I could be sure of quality.


Otherwise I may have to look closer to home. Thanks for the link Stone-Cold.
 
Hi Dr Impossible,

I don''t know anything about buying diamonds in Tanzania, but I would definitely suggest trying the Infinity dealer if you get to Dublin, you would need to contact them in advance so they can call in suitable Infinity diamonds for you as they might not have the exact ones you want in store.
 
Hi Dr Impossible!

Tanzania is beautiful and Kili even more so. You''ll have a great time! Just out of interest, which route up are you taking? We plan to do the Marangu Route once the wedding is behind us and our savings account look healthy again!

Diamond shopping in Africa is tricky! I live in South Africa and this is supposed to be the home of diamonds, gold and platinum. The fact that I''m on this message board, looking at buying my jewellery from the States, should say it all.

My FI frequently travels to Tanzania on business and, knowing my predilection for all things that sparkle, he has wanted to get me a tanzanite piece for aaaaages. The poor quality paired with the ridiculous prices has made this impossible.

It''s great that you would like to pick out a ring together - perhaps you could do this back home in Ireland? Or, better yet, from a PS vendor? The forum regulars would be more than happy to assist with your selection!
 
Although tons of diamonds are mined in Africa, almost all are graded and sorted and then sent to the cutters in a dozen other countries to be turned into the diamonds you see in a jewelry store. I like the proposal idea. Infinity diamonds are some of the best cut diamonds anywhere on this planet. I would pick out a diamond in your budget and put it into a cheap temporary setting and then propose to her on the summit amid the small glacier ice. It is very cold and windy on the top. If you are worried about your diamond getting lost or stolen or going thru customs etc, just have a CZ mounted instead of your diamond. When you return, the two of you can pick out the setting in Dublin. Buying a diamond in Africa is a huge no-no in my book. If you need help on choosing a diamond, there are lots of posters here who are more happy to help you. I would much rather help you find a very beautiful diamond for the love your life than the poorly cut and overpriced stuff that is everywhere. Good luck!!!
 
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