Availibility of precision cut Tanzanian stones may become limited

[kelpie]

I just found out I''m moving to Dar es Salaam in the fall. I thought maybe I could try to learn the gem trade while I''m there, so I started reading local news. Apparently the Tanzanian government has just banned the export of tanzanite rough so that cutting it locally contributes more to the economy. The article below mentions a movement to impose this for all Tanzanian mined gems.

http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=15923

 

[T L]

Is it just Tanzanite, or all Tanzanian rough.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

That''s too bad. Although the only cutter I know that regularly cuts it now is gene. Still he does beautiful things with the rough!

 

[mastercutgems]

I think that it is just tanzanite for now; maybe tsavorite next.

I just got my parcel in from Tanzania yesterday and was thankful. We that import facet rough really need to stay on our toes as to what can and can not be imported. I know I have been stocking up for the last 2 years from Tanzania, Vietnam, Mozambique, and Afghanistan as who knows when things may dry up due to politics, natural disasters, and just the depletion of the mineral itself. Not like I really needed to as i have more rough than i will ever cut in 2 lifetimes; but hey I have 2 kids maybe one will want to cut???
It will more-than-likely be my daughter as my son has no interest at all and he is 14; but I have hopes for the 4 year old; she already love to model them

It was the same thing 17 years ago with Burma spinels; you could never get the rough so i bought all I could of well shaped and colored somewhat poorly cut gems and use them as fine rough. It worked well along with Nigerian tourmalines.
I think us collectors and cutters just have to stay up on the news with these countries of origin of fine colored gems so we will not be left holding an empty bag of rough to cut...

I think this forum is great to help keep everyone informed as to what is and is not going to be hard to come by in the near future.
Thank you for the update...

Most Respectfully and everyone have a great weekend

 

[Edward Bristol]

Actually most "3rd world" mining countries have this rule. It is just more or less enforced.

That is one of the reasons why you will not see many precious gems cut in the 1st world.

 

[chrono]

Sounds like it is Tanzanite only for now from reading the article.

 

[Jim Rentfrow]

I thought this ban has been in place off and on over the last few years on Tanzanite?

 

[ruffysdad]

I''m having a bit of a hard time getting behind this tanzanite "shortage". In Tucson this year I saw a plethora of tanzanite both rough and cut. A lot of the rough makes its way across the border into Kenya or is sold as specimen grade. The stones cut in Tanzania are across the board in the quality of the cutting with many still out there that I''d classify as polished preforms all the way to fairly well cut stones although not equal to IMHO, a true precision cut. One thing they all have in common however is the price. Not cheap! I really don''t see it coming down either. My contacts in E. Africa are all pretty firm on prices and won''t give an inch when dickering time comes. Price and the amount I see on the market are two of the biggest reasons I''ve soured on the stuff. Don''t get me wrong, I still love the color of a good tanzanite and like to cut the stuff but I''m looking at the market today through 1980''s priced eyes.

Pete