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
> A very rare tsavorite production
We recently purchased a very nice lot of tsavorites from the ... tanzanite mines in Mererani! The miners were trying to produce Tanzanites, and ran into a series of exceptional Tsavorite pockets!
> A few new African demantoid garnets for sale...
We've uploaded a few new African demantoids and thought we would quickly write about them.
> A stunning combination...
Swala Gem Traders has pulled out a beautiful authentic Paraiba Tourmaline to match it with a superb high end Mahenge Spinel. We wanted to share the stunning color combination with you.
> High end tsavorite production...
Swala Gem Traders is pleased to announce that they recently purchased a large amount of very high end tsavorites. These tsavorites are very rare in quality. The quantity produced is also quite unusual.
> 130 cts tanzanite...
This 130 carat tanzanite was cut last year. Everything about this gem is nice: color, size, clarity, cut. This tanzanite is obviously too heavy to be worn. It's either a museum piece or a collector's item, not really an everyday ring.
> Winza corundum (ruby and sapphire)
Just a few pictures of the Winza corundum (ruby and sapphire). Swala Gem Traders had financed a team of ruby and sapphire miners in Winza. Multiple kilos of Winza corundum were brought back to us. Obviously, much of rubies and sapphires were either useless or of cabochon quality. Plenty smaller pieces (0.3-0.4cts) were beautiful and facetable. A few larger and very attractive pieces (above 3 cts) were also cut.
> AT LAST, GEMS TO BUY ONLINE!
Dear friends and customers,
In our business, one often hears "FROM THE MINE TO YOUR RING!". At Swala Gem Traders, this phrase corresponds to reality. Our gems come from our own mines or are purchased from African small miners at our buying office in northern Tanzania. Many of the rough stones are then cut by our own cutters.
> Gem Safari 2009
The 2009 Gem Safari, held in August 2009, will be divided in three parts:
. mine visits
. a couple of days in Arusha seeing and purchasing rough and cut gems
. a few days on safari
> Lemshuko Tsavorite mining videos
We've put a few videos online to show how we mine our tsavorites at Lemshuko (northern Tanzania). Click on "read more" if you wish to see these videos.> Like a phoenix, red spinel on the rise
"Spinel: resurrection of a classic" is a nice overview of red spinels (including the Mahenge spinels of course) 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.
> 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".
> 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.
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