Tanzanite foundation

[noctus]

Hi everyone,


I'm in holidays in south africa and i visited a tanzanite foundation store, they seemed to have amazing tanzanite.
Did someone ever buy from them ?

Thanx

 

[LoversKites]

Do you happen to know their website?

I lived in South Africa for most of my life. I can't tell you much about that place specifically but the professional looking companies aren't usually out to screw you over.

EGL have two labs in SA; one in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town (since you're a tourist you're probably in Cape Town). They should no problem obtaining a report for you. Granted, EGL's appraisals aren't very accurate but they will tell you weather the stone is real or not and about treatments (heating and coating are the main treatments in tanzanite I think). I'm not sure how long it would take or how much it costs. Here's their South African website with addresses to their labs - http://www.egl.co.za/contact_us

A report is the only way to be sure.
Good luck. I hope you have a wonderful time in SA.

 

[minousbijoux]

According to their website:

"The Tanzanite Foundation is a non-profit, industry supported organisation, dedicated to protecting and promoting Tanzanite. It acts on behalf of all ethical and socially responsible operators and partners in the Tanzanite Industry and implements standardised methods of practice and conduct. The Foundation seeks to deliver a truly ethical route to market in accordance with the Tucson Tanzanite Protocols.The Tanzanite Foundation was formed by TanzaniteOne - the worlds largest ethical miners of Tanzanite and major Tanzanite industry organisations in 2003."

I am sure its a reputable purveyor.

OP: if you want to do some price comparisons, you could check out Africagems, AJS, Swala Gem Traders (which may even have a presence in South Africa), and Lapigems. It would be interesting to know how the Tanzanite Foundation's prices compare. Enjoy your shopping!

 

[noctus]

Re: Tanzanite foundatio

Thanks to you for your answers.
The prices were on the high sides, about 1000€/carat for a 6 carat stones, very beautifull indeed.
Very Nice saturation, red flashes under the shop lights
But i think That the lapigems tanz are quite the same for "cheaper" prices. The eternal question is How do these stones looks Like under normal light. But they won't leave me outside the shop with the stone in my hand, so Still don't know if it's too dark or not...

 

[LoversKites]

If they won't even let you see a stone in various lighting conditions I wouldn't consider spending thousands of euro at their store unless they have a generous return policy.