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
> 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.
> Huge red garnet matching pair of pears
A rare pair of red garnets, each weighing above 70 cts. Probably best suited for a collection.
> 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.
> 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 - Secret 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.
Gem of the month
Testimonials
Thank you for a beautiful gem (spinel), it's exactly the colour I was looking for. It performs fantastically and is absolutely mesmerizing. It was a real pleasure working with you. Hopefully I'll be back again sooner than later.
YL - Singapour
ICA
Swala Gem Traders is the Ambassador to Tanzania for the
Copyright © 2005-2009 Swala Gem Traders. All rights reserved.
| FAQ | | Gem directory | | Contact us | |  |
