Questions on 8-10ct tanzanite

[Phoenix]

My South African colleague offered to help get me an 8-10 ct tanzanite.

Apparently, they're much cheaper over there, since they're mined there.

So, my questions are:

1) how much would such a stone be likely to go for - ball park figure?

2) I think I prefer the deeper bluer variety, rather than the violet one. Are deep blue tanzanites more valuable/ pricey?

3) what is the best shape, in order to get a more saturated colour in the stone? I'm thinking cushion.

I would have it set into a delicate diamond halo setting, maybe a Leon (not sure if the tanzanite would be worth the money to be spent on a Leon) like this, which I *LOVE*

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=183

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Leon has a tanzanite ring on his site in case you haven''t seen it!

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/12/2009 11:51:58 PM
Author:Phoenix
My South African colleague offered to help get me an 8-10 ct tanzanite.

Apparently, they''re much cheaper over there, since they''re mined there.

So, my questions are:

1) how much would such a stone be likely to go for - ball park figure?

2) I think I prefer the deeper bluer variety, rather than the violet one. Are deep blue tanzanites more valuable/ pricey?

3) what is the best shape, in order to get a more saturated colour in the stone? I''m thinking cushion.

I would have it set into a delicate diamond halo setting, maybe a Leon (not sure if the tanzanite would be worth the money to be spent on a Leon) like this, which I *LOVE*

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=183

Thank you.

Regarding question #1, why not asking your colleague, cause chances someone outside of South Africa knows their prices are pretty slim.

Regarding #2, the more blue they are, the more valuable they are.

Regarding #3, cushion is a good choice, princess cuts are also pretty deep, but tanzanites are rarely cut that way.

 

[m76steve]

you should consider a trillian-i have one & it really throws the light because of the cut & depth-my stone is a little over 9cts. & shows primary blue with purple flashes-also you get slight flashes of red under certain lights. its a soft stone so one usually puts it in pendents or carefully worn rings. retail value hovers @ 2000.00 per ct. for the good clean stuff.-my 2 cents...

 

[Pandora II]

You can end up paying more near the source than you will elsewhere. Local dealers make a fair penny off tourists who think they''re getting a deal because they are buying out there. If your friend is a gem dealer or even a gemmologist then fair enough, if not, then think very hard as you''ll be dropping a fair number of $$$$$ for a stone that size.

I wouldn''t buy a tanzanite except through a trusted dealer - there are coated stones on the market right now.

The colour you are after is one of the more expensive.

I wouldn''t set it in a ring either - better material for a pendant or earrings.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 4:27:15 AM
Author: Imdanny
Leon has a tanzanite ring on his site in case you haven''t seen it!

Really ??!! Where? Can you pls provide me with the link?

I just

Leon. He does such *amazingly* exquisite work!!

I know that he hasn''t created a good impression on/ good relationship with all PS''ers but the man is *THE* master artiste!!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 4:47:27 AM
Author: ma re

Date: 1/12/2009 11:51:58 PM
Author:Phoenix
My South African colleague offered to help get me an 8-10 ct tanzanite.

Apparently, they''re much cheaper over there, since they''re mined there.

So, my questions are:

1) how much would such a stone be likely to go for - ball park figure?

2) I think I prefer the deeper bluer variety, rather than the violet one. Are deep blue tanzanites more valuable/ pricey?

3) what is the best shape, in order to get a more saturated colour in the stone? I''m thinking cushion.

I would have it set into a delicate diamond halo setting, maybe a Leon (not sure if the tanzanite would be worth the money to be spent on a Leon) like this, which I *LOVE*

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=183

Thank you.

Regarding question #1, why not asking your colleague, cause chances someone outside of South Africa knows their prices are pretty slim.

Regarding #2, the more blue they are, the more valuable they are.

Regarding #3, cushion is a good choice, princess cuts are also pretty deep, but tanzanites are rarely cut that way.

Thank you for your reply.

I wanted to check prices with someone independent. My colleague is not very informed on prices - diamonds or gemstones. All he knows is what his dealer tells him.

It''s good to know that I was on track abt the colour and shape.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:44 AM
Author: m76steve
you should consider a trillian-i have one & it really throws the light because of the cut & depth-my stone is a little over 9cts. & shows primary blue with purple flashes-also you get slight flashes of red under certain lights. its a soft stone so one usually puts it in pendents or carefully worn rings. retail value hovers @ 2000.00 per ct. for the good clean stuff.-my 2 cents...

Thank you for your reply and suggestion.

Your stone sounds awesome!! Do you have a link to it somewhere?

Hmmm...I must admit I did not know that tanzanites were soft. I am kind of disappointed to be honest. I am not really a pendant girl, more like a ring and earring girl.

It''s very helpful infor about the pricing. Thanks.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:48:51 AM
Author: Pandora II
You can end up paying more near the source than you will elsewhere. Local dealers make a fair penny off tourists who think they''re getting a deal because they are buying out there. If your friend is a gem dealer or even a gemmologist then fair enough, if not, then think very hard as you''ll be dropping a fair number of $$$$$ for a stone that size.

I wouldn''t buy a tanzanite except through a trusted dealer - there are coated stones on the market right now.

The colour you are after is one of the more expensive.

I wouldn''t set it in a ring either - better material for a pendant or earrings.

Thanks for your reply and helpful infor.

Hmmmm....that''s food for thought, isn''t it?! My colleague would be sourcing for it via his dealer, so I am not sure (?!).

When you say "coated", do you mean that it isn''t a stone''s real blue colour, but coated via some artificial mean which would wear off with time? Sorry, I am pretty clueless as far as coloured gem stones are concerned. What I do know though is that I *LOVE* really deep coloured stones, like yours (absolutely TDF, btw) and Harriet''s!!

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/13/2009 7:34:19 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:44 AM
Author: m76steve
you should consider a trillian-i have one & it really throws the light because of the cut & depth-my stone is a little over 9cts. & shows primary blue with purple flashes-also you get slight flashes of red under certain lights. its a soft stone so one usually puts it in pendents or carefully worn rings. retail value hovers @ 2000.00 per ct. for the good clean stuff.-my 2 cents...

Thank you for your reply and suggestion.

Your stone sounds awesome!! Do you have a link to it somewhere?

Hmmm...I must admit I did not know that tanzanites were soft. I am kind of disappointed to be honest. I am not really a pendant girl, more like a ring and earring girl.

It''s very helpful infor about the pricing. Thanks.

If you like earrings, definately think about a pair of tanzanites instead of one for a ring, cause they would survive much longer that way (by survive I mean, remain looking new). It''s one of the more fragile stones and a reputable jeweler will inform you that earrings, pendants and brooches are what these stones are really made for.

And to answer another one of your questions, yes, coated means what you''ve described. There are a number of treatments these days used to deceive buyers into paying for something worth much less than the asked price, so stick to the golden rule of gemstone buying - who you buy from is more important than what you buy. Make sure the dealer in question is a trustworthy individual and not an "aunt''s neighbour''s daughter''s friend who says he knows something about gems".

 

[LD]

For a loose stone (per carat) you should be looking at $450-500.

Collectors prefer the deep blue option but it''s really down to preference as there''s not really much in it from a price/value point of view.

As for saturation, I have all cuts and it really does depend on how good the cut is. There isn''t one that I''d favour over another although my least favourite is a trilliant (just because I''m not a fan of them, no other reason).

A good place to buy a very good quality Tanzanite is www.lapigems.com

Here are some of mine so you can see the different cuts / sizes and how they look:

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:24:03 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds


Here are some of mine so you can see the different cuts / sizes and how they look:

Awesome collection LD. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:44 AM
Author: m76steve
you should consider a trillian-i have one & it really throws the light because of the cut & depth-my stone is a little over 9cts. & shows primary blue with purple flashes-also you get slight flashes of red under certain lights. its a soft stone so one usually puts it in pendents or carefully worn rings. retail value hovers @ 2000.00 per ct. for the good clean stuff.-my 2 cents...

It''s not that ruinous -- try $500+.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/13/2009 7:32:30 AM
Author: Phoenix
Thank you for your reply.

I wanted to check prices with someone independent. My colleague is not very informed on prices - diamonds or gemstones. All he knows is what his dealer tells him.

It's good to know that I was on track abt the colour and shape.

Ouch. I'd stay away then. Who knows if his dealer is even legit?

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 1/13/2009 7:08:48 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 1/13/2009 4:27:15 AM

Author: Imdanny

Leon has a tanzanite ring on his site in case you haven''t seen it!

Really ??!! Where? Can you pls provide me with the link?


I just

Leon. He does such *amazingly* exquisite work!!


I know that he hasn''t created a good impression on/ good relationship with all PS''ers but the man is *THE* master artiste!!

I wish! I searched his site for 1/2 hr. last night. I was going to post the link. It''s set sideways with a diamond on the left and right. It''s huge. And yes, it''s beautiful.

 

[LD]

Date: 1/13/2009 7:39:40 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 1/13/2009 5:48:51 AM
Author: Pandora II
You can end up paying more near the source than you will elsewhere. Local dealers make a fair penny off tourists who think they''re getting a deal because they are buying out there. If your friend is a gem dealer or even a gemmologist then fair enough, if not, then think very hard as you''ll be dropping a fair number of $$$$$ for a stone that size.

I wouldn''t buy a tanzanite except through a trusted dealer - there are coated stones on the market right now.

The colour you are after is one of the more expensive.

I wouldn''t set it in a ring either - better material for a pendant or earrings.

Thanks for your reply and helpful infor.

Hmmmm....that''s food for thought, isn''t it?! My colleague would be sourcing for it via his dealer, so I am not sure (?!).

When you say ''coated'', do you mean that it isn''t a stone''s real blue colour, but coated via some artificial mean which would wear off with time? Sorry, I am pretty clueless as far as coloured gem stones are concerned. What I do know though is that I *LOVE* really deep coloured stones, like yours (absolutely TDF, btw) and Harriet''s!!

My understanding is that it is only small stones (under 1ct) that, so far, have found to be coated. I know that two stones that have been submitted for evaluation recently in the UK and the poor buyer got a horrible shock.

There are some very interesting articles on the web about the coating and it can be easy to spot.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ditto to Pandora on them being too soft for a really nice ring. Get a smaller but excellent sapphire if you really want a fine blue gemstone ring that is durable.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/13/2009 11:42:32 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 1/13/2009 7:32:30 AM
Author: Phoenix
Thank you for your reply.

I wanted to check prices with someone independent. My colleague is not very informed on prices - diamonds or gemstones. All he knows is what his dealer tells him.

It's good to know that I was on track abt the colour and shape.

Ouch. I'd stay away then. Who knows if his dealer is even legit?

ditto Harriett, Sounds like asking for trouble if you ask me..

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 9:12:29 AM
Author: ma re

Date: 1/13/2009 7:34:19 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:44 AM
Author: m76steve
you should consider a trillian-i have one & it really throws the light because of the cut & depth-my stone is a little over 9cts. & shows primary blue with purple flashes-also you get slight flashes of red under certain lights. its a soft stone so one usually puts it in pendents or carefully worn rings. retail value hovers @ 2000.00 per ct. for the good clean stuff.-my 2 cents...

Thank you for your reply and suggestion.

Your stone sounds awesome!! Do you have a link to it somewhere?

Hmmm...I must admit I did not know that tanzanites were soft. I am kind of disappointed to be honest. I am not really a pendant girl, more like a ring and earring girl.

It''s very helpful infor about the pricing. Thanks.

If you like earrings, definately think about a pair of tanzanites instead of one for a ring, cause they would survive much longer that way (by survive I mean, remain looking new). It''s one of the more fragile stones and a reputable jeweler will inform you that earrings, pendants and brooches are what these stones are really made for.

And to answer another one of your questions, yes, coated means what you''ve described. There are a number of treatments these days used to deceive buyers into paying for something worth much less than the asked price, so stick to the golden rule of gemstone buying - who you buy from is more important than what you buy. Make sure the dealer in question is a trustworthy individual and not an ''aunt''s neighbour''s daughter''s friend who says he knows something about gems''.

Thanks so much, appreciate your advice.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:24:03 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

For a loose stone (per carat) you should be looking at $450-500.

Collectors prefer the deep blue option but it''s really down to preference as there''s not really much in it from a price/value point of view.

As for saturation, I have all cuts and it really does depend on how good the cut is. There isn''t one that I''d favour over another although my least favourite is a trilliant (just because I''m not a fan of them, no other reason).

A good place to buy a very good quality Tanzanite is www.lapigems.com

Here are some of mine so you can see the different cuts / sizes and how they look:

Thanks for your advice.

WOWZA, what an awesome collection!! Totally drool worthy!! Which one(s) is/ are your favourite(s)? They all look yummy to me.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/13/2009 11:42:32 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 1/13/2009 7:32:30 AM
Author: Phoenix
Thank you for your reply.

I wanted to check prices with someone independent. My colleague is not very informed on prices - diamonds or gemstones. All he knows is what his dealer tells him.

It''s good to know that I was on track abt the colour and shape.

Ouch. I''d stay away then. Who knows if his dealer is even legit?

Thanks, Harriet. I am sure you''re right.

I LOVE yr rings!! Did i say that already, he he?!. I''ll say it again!!

 

[Imdanny]

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-tanzanite.104668/

 

[LD]

Phoenix - thanks for your kind words. I don''t actually have a favourite amongst my tanzies. It depends on my mood.

Whilst I totally agree with others about Tanzanite being too soft for an e-ring, if you''re not hard on your rings and take precautions there''s no reason why it can''t be set into a ring for occasional wear. As you can see I have a number of rings and since I ruined one in the early days (about 8 years ago) by constant wear and neglect, I haven''t done that since and they all look like new!

 

[T L]

WOW LD,
That''s an amazing collection. I also love the star cut (probably by the same cutter that does diopsides).

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/15/2009 4:04:10 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 1/13/2009 11:42:32 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 1/13/2009 7:32:30 AM
Author: Phoenix
Thank you for your reply.

I wanted to check prices with someone independent. My colleague is not very informed on prices - diamonds or gemstones. All he knows is what his dealer tells him.

It''s good to know that I was on track abt the colour and shape.

Ouch. I''d stay away then. Who knows if his dealer is even legit?

Thanks, Harriet. I am sure you''re right.

I LOVE yr rings!! Did i say that already, he he?!. I''ll say it again!!

Haha. I was thinking -- If you''re in touch with SimplySplendid, she''d be a great guide to the world of gems (she''s in the Lion City too).

 

[Swala Gem Traders]

Nice collection LD.

FYI, you will not find tanzanites which are coated in Tanzania. The tanzanites which are coated are done abroad.
Unfortunately however, a few years ago, quite a few synthetic forsterites where on the market, including in Tanzania...

A link to the AGTA press release earlier on this year:
http://www.agta-gtc.org/coated-tanzanite.htm

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/15/2009 4:34:35 AM
Author: Imdanny
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/leon-tanzanite.104668/

Thank you, Imdanny. That ring is seriously gorgeous!!

. The colour of the stone is beautifully deep and the Leon setting, need I say anything?!

It's A LEON!!

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/15/2009 5:45:10 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Phoenix - thanks for your kind words. I don''t actually have a favourite amongst my tanzies. It depends on my mood.

Whilst I totally agree with others about Tanzanite being too soft for an e-ring, if you''re not hard on your rings and take precautions there''s no reason why it can''t be set into a ring for occasional wear. As you can see I have a number of rings and since I ruined one in the early days (about 8 years ago) by constant wear and neglect, I haven''t done that since and they all look like new!

You''re so lucky!!

. They''re all beautiful

.

Hhmmm..I thought I''d already decided not to go with a tanzanite as a ring, but am now re-thinking this whole ring thing!!

 

[LD]

Date: 1/15/2009 7:08:50 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
WOW LD,
That''s an amazing collection. I also love the star cut (probably by the same cutter that does diopsides).

It''s a Wobito TL.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/16/2009 3:54:32 AM
Author: Swala
Nice collection LD.

FYI, you will not find tanzanites which are coated in Tanzania. The tanzanites which are coated are done abroad.
Unfortunately however, a few years ago, quite a few synthetic forsterites where on the market, including in Tanzania...

A link to the AGTA press release earlier on this year:
http://www.agta-gtc.org/coated-tanzanite.htm

Hi Swala,

Thanks for your post and infor provided, very helpful.