Gemstones
Swala Gem Traders
"Our father was the first geologist on the tanzanite deposits. He was the one who introduced tanzanite to Tiffany's in New-York in the late 60's. And we, his sons, are carrying over a similar passion for tanzanite and other quality gemstones."
News and updates
> Like a phoenix, red spinel on the rise
"Spinel: resurrection of a classic" is a nice overview of red spinels around the world. Article by Vincent Pardieu, with Richard Hughes
> Tanzanite: parcours d'une pierre precieuse - Reportage par Mandjou (RFI).
Reportage radio (cliquer plus bas) - "Pierre precieuse aux reflets bleus, pourpre et bronze, la Tanzanite a ete decouverte dans les annees 60 au pied du Kilimandjaro. Elle est aujourd'hui taillee et polie en Inde... c' est une entreprise sud africaine qui en a le quasi monopole de la distribution.... Et, 80 % de la production est vendue par les bijoutiers americains..." Le marche de la Tanzanite a travers le monde, reportage de Corinne Mandjou.> Tanzanite - July 7, 1967: Tanzanite: something new out of Africa
Few travelers arrive in Tanzania without having heard the magic word "TANZANITE". It's a one-of-a-kind gemstone found in the Massai country of Tanzania, right in sight of Mount Kilimanjaro.
> Tanzanite: Its discovery and early days - By John Saul - ICA's InColor Magazine . Summer 2007
Many accounts of the discovery of tanzanite have found their way into print, most of them quite misleading or simply wrong.
> Magnificent Jewels - Sotherby's - Geneva May 21st 1997
Magnificent Jewels - Sotherby's - Geneva May 21st 1997.
> A new spessartite discovery by the Serengeti...
In October 2007, my brother Mark called while I was travelling in Europe to let me know he suspected that Tanzania was unveiling yet another gem deposit. "I think we're on top of something big again. An important spessartite discovery seems to have taken place in the northern part of the country".
> Color Change garnet - Tanzania continues to pour forth riches
Tanzania continues to pour forth riches. This was the beginning of a news item in the Jewelers' Circular-Keystone in July 1970. The article goes on to say that in addition to tanzanite and chrome-tourmaline (which were then new materials for jewelers), Tanzania had produced a new type of garnet "gleaming red at night and green in daylight".
> The first gemstone discovered in East Africa
Those who have read Out of Africa or An Ice Cream War, or remember Bogart in The African Queen, will know that "The Great War" was also fought in Africa. But they are unlikely to have heard of the Battle of Merkerstein, a minor skirmish in the northern part of Tanzania, which was then part of German East Africa (Deutsch-Ostafrika).
> Geological explanations - Secrey Valleys
Even geologists rarely appreciate the great age of East Africa's Rift Valley System. Rifts are formed and are later completely filled-in by erosion as their shoulders collapse and wash down into the valley below.
> Ruby - The John Saul Ruby Mine (JSRM)
The first gemstone deposit to be found in East Africa was the ruby deposit at Longido, Tanzania. Other ruby deposits were discovered in Tanzania subsequently, most of them of the anyolite type, as at Longido, but production was generally small or of poor quality gems or of rubies which had been fractured in attempting to free them from their host rock. Then in mid-1973, our father received a visit from a Park Ranger from Tsavo West National Park.
> Komolo school projects
While organizing their trips, the AFG told us that they intended to participate financially in some type of local development project, perhaps in the field of education, but not necessarily linked to the world of gemstones. After assessing different options, we decided to build an extra classroom on the grounds of the Komolo school.
> ICA mine tour to Tanzania
In mid-2007, a large ICA group (50 people) came to East Africa for a 10 day gem-safari, spending five days in Kenya, followed by another five in Tanzania.
Tanzanite and other new gems
Testimonials
I took the two gems I purchased from you, the Tanzanite and Tsavorite, to my local jeweler. For the Tanzanite only, he gave me an estimate between $2500-$3000 [for a $1000 purchase]! WOW!! I am very happy...
Alexandra - Paris
ICA
Swala Gem Traders is the Ambassador to Tanzania for the
Copyright © 2005-2008 Swala Gem Traders. All rights reserved.
| FAQ | | Gem directory | | Contact us | |  |
