Need advice on these two Tanzanites

[noctus]

Hella and merry christmas to everyone !

I'm looking for a fine Tanzanite in order to make a pendant.

My choice for now is between these two Tanzanites:

http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=3941

and this one:





The second one is coming from a well known seller.
The question is about the pictures which are taken under different kind of light i think: colder for the one from lapigems (some more blue stone) and warm/natural light for the second one.
Both claimed that these stones are very saturated, "AAA" grading, i can see it clearly on the one from lapigems but not very much on the second one...
Maybe the picture ? the light ?
Will the one from lapigems have a purple hue under normal light ?

If somebody can help me, it would be great...thank you very much

 

[LD]

I've bought numerous gemstones from Lapigems and their quality is exceptional. However, you need to ask whether this one will be very dark (especially when set). Ask them how it looks between fingers on the back of their hand (not sure if they'll send you additional photos - think not). You can tell the quality of their stones as it screams out from their website!!!

The other one you've shown is a very pale cousin by comparison. In terms of quality, it's not great and the cut leaves something to be desired (apologies to the vendor). I wouldn't buy this one.

 

[noctus]

Thank you LD for your advice.
I think i'll buy from lapigems, they are on the high price but quality seems really higher than in other site (sometimes for the same price/carat).
Just need to solve the shipping issue with them (it's complicated where i live...)

P.S: LD is it possible to send you a private message ? can't see the option on the forum

 

[LD]

Noctus - I live in the UK and they shipped it to me ok (and here we pay huge amounts of tax etc). I can't remember how we agreed to ship but each of their gems have come in a little silver safe type case with the gem well protected inside. It's actually a really unique form of packaging. I'm sure they will be able to advise. I typically opt for a courier service.

Edit: Have just seen your question about whether the Lapigems one will show purple? All Tanzanite is either pleochroic or trichroic so you will see some purple BUT far less so in this gem because it's been cut to show more of the blue. Collectors state that this is exactly what top grade Tanzanite should look like but it's really about personal preference. I have some that are very deep blue showing no purple and the result is a rich velvet tone OR I have some that show more purple and I love them for that also!

 

[noctus]

Thanks Again for the informations.
As i don't want to Write the name of the second vendor, is it possible to send you an MP or email ? Just few questions and after this,i won't disturb you anymore !

 

[LD]

I'm so sorry but this forum doesn't have a facility for private mails and posting email addresses on here is not a sensible thing to do.

You can post anything you want on here (within reason of course) and I'm sure when the US wake up later you'll have more than just me contributing to your thread!

 

[noctus]

Ok i understand.
The second one is from Bruce Bridges, as i read a lot of good things about him, i'm a little bit surprised that the stones doesn't look very fine...i ask him to show me very fine tanzanite, he told me that this stone is very saturated, very well cut...maybe the pictures are just not good...
I know that on others sites (paraiba international...) they put the stones on light box and under special lightning...maybe its stones will look good too under that kind of lightning...

However, after watching all websites, my preference definitely goes to lapigems so...let's try

 

[chrono]

The lapigems tanzanite looks very richly saturated but also very dark. I would inquire more to make sure it isn't going to need strong lighting to look that nice or become inky or black out once set. I've also heard good things about the Bridges and that their stones look better in person than photos. It doesn't look well cut and seems lacking in saturation in that picture but it could just be poor photography - if interested, you can ask for a hand shot as those seem to show colour more accurately.

 

[LD]

Chrono - not sure if you've bought from Lapigems? Just FYI in case you haven't, their photos and videos are exceptionally accurate. I also love that you get the history of the rough, see a photo of it and then the finished product. It makes it feel so much more personal somehow! I suspect that this one will look very similar to my 18ct emerald cut (although this one will glitter more than my emerald cut due to the facets etc).

 

[noctus]

LD Can you post personal pics of tanzanites you bought from lapigems ? As i'll see How they look on other lightning ?

 

[LD]

This is the one that I think will be closest to yours. It's 18.5ct. You can see how it looks different in artificial light and daylight (3rd photo) but always looks blue. It doesn't have a window but does have a tilt window (nothing to worry about) but considering its size I can forgive it most things! It's terrible to photograph because it's so big I cant get a shot of it straight on without breaking my wrist or risking dropping it on the floor (not recommended).

Last photo is a montage of some of my tanzanites so you can see different cuts and sizes - Tanzanite can appear much smaller for the carat weight compared to other gemstones. Some of the paler stones that show more purple can be very attractive (and cost less) if the cut is good as in the Wobito snowflake. The heart shaped Tanzanite I bought from www.multicolour.com and they recut it for me to centre the wonky culet a bit more. In real life this one shows an incredible amount of purple - am happy to post up a photo of it showing the purple if you want.

 

[chrono]

Chrono - not sure if you've bought from Lapigems? Just FYI in case you haven't, their photos and videos are exceptionally accurate. I also love that you get the history of the rough, see a photo of it and then the finished product. It makes it feel so much more personal somehow! I suspect that this one will look very similar to my 18ct emerald cut (although this one will glitter more than my emerald cut due to the facets etc).

Not quite - I shopped and made inquiries for one or two tsavorites but passed in favour of elsewhere because I found the stones too dark.

 

[noctus]

Thank you very much LD.
Definitely i Like it when it's strong blue so the ones from lapigems Will suits me. They almost look Like sapphirs.
The snow one is also beautifull.
Thanks Again