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Reputable online seller of Tanzanite

L

Loveis...

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
16
A friend of mine has asked me to help her source a natural, high quality Tanzanite of approximately 3cts for her.

Can anyone recommend a reputable online store where I may find something along these lines? Preferably one with whom someone has personal experience.

Also, are there any specific guidelines to follow when looking for a quality Tanzanite stone? I'm not familiar with them and I'm unsure as to what should be avoided or looked for.

Thank you so much!
 
lapigems.com has a wide variety, and I've heard nothing but great things about them. On their site, they have an extremely thorough buying guide for tanzanite.
 
Thank you so much Tourmaline Lover! At least that gives me a starting point... I'm also searching through a lot of old threads on here :)
 
I have bought from Lapigems and can recommend them highly.

I don't know whether you're in the UK, US or elsewhere but surprisingly one of the best sources of Tanzanite in the UK (with lab reports, top quality both loose and set) is The Jewellery Channel. They are part of the STS Group who are one of 7 Sight Holders of Tanzanite One - i.e. they commit to buying X amount of Tanzanite over a period of time and are given first priority - although they have to buy Tanzanite of all quality. They then sell direct or sell on to other vendors. Typically in the UK, a top quality Tanzanite with an accompanying lab report sells for £250-350 per carat (not $ but £GBP). Currently their inventory is breath-taking and whilst I completed my Tanzanite collection many years ago, I did see one stone a few weeks ago that almost weakened my resolve!

I've also purchased a stunning Tanzanite from www.multicolour.com They may be worth a look also.
 
Thanks Loving Diamonds :)

Unfortunately lapigems don't appear to have anything suitable in stock right now :(

Thanks for the info re the jewellery channel! We are in Australia, but for the right stone, we'll be happy to import.

I will also have a look at the site you recommend, thanks so much!
 
Sorry just noticed that you asked for what to look for and for some general info?

1. Tanzanite is not an "every day" wear stone. It is prone to chipping and will crack spectacularly if hit in just the right place! It also doesn't like changes in temperature so does have to be treated sensitively. I'm light on my jewellery and have worn pieces daily but I also managed to ruin one of my first ever pieces by not looking after it properly :(sad

2. Tanzanite comes in all ranges of blues and purples/violet. Typically think a royal blue velvet colour as being the best with purple flashes. However, some prefer the more purple stones and these are very popular also. The cheapest are the lighter coloured stones. So, as a rule of thumb, the lighter it is the less valuable.

3. If too dark or cut badly, Tanzanite can look too dark. There's a fine line between have a deep gorgeous colour and one that is so dark it doesn't really radiate the gorgeous blues and purples.

4. Other gems are occasionally passed off as Tanzanite i.e. Iolite, Kyanite and synthetic Forserite. Unfortunately coated Tanzanite also appeared on the market several years ago. Be careful and buy from a trusted source.

5. Tanzanite may have inclusions but it is very easy to buy ones that are eye clean so don't be tempted to settle for less than best!

6. Don't fall for the marketing hype that Tanzanite is a one generation stone and will be mined out in 5/10/15 years (depending on who you speak with)! The reality is, it's been mined since (I think) the 1960s and continues to be. Two or three years ago there was record production! Only advise your friend to buy it if she loves it and to ignore anybody who tells her this will be a piece that will increase in value or become an inheritance for children. The reality is that's not the case at the moment.

Hope that helps.
 
Thank you so much Loving Diamonds, I really appreciate you taking the time to share all of that with me! I will definitely keep all of that in mind.

Unfortunately some of these great recommendations don't have a suitable stone for her requirements, but I will definitely keep looking.

I'm assuming that eBay should be avoided at all costs, regardless of whether they tout GIA certificates and the like?
 
Loveis...|1294878503|2821143 said:
Thanks Loving Diamonds :)

Unfortunately lapigems don't appear to have anything suitable in stock right now :(

Thanks for the info re the jewellery channel! We are in Australia, but for the right stone, we'll be happy to import.

I will also have a look at the site you recommend, thanks so much!
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The Jewellery Channel may well help you even if you're in Australia. I suggest you phone them and speak with Miles the Customer Service Manager. Don't speak to anybody else as they won't have the power to help and may be worried by dealing with an export situation! Mention that Lovingdiamonds said he'd help! He can move mountains and if he can help, he will! I'm pretty sure I can't post their contact details on here but do an internet search - they're based in London in the UK and there's a general phone number. Ignore what's on their website because it's a tiny amount of their stock and the best stuff doesn't get on there! Good luck.

Unless you know what you're doing, I would avoid Ebay. Unfortunately lab reports can be faked :nono:
 
Thanks so much LovingDiamonds!!! I really appreciate your help, you're very kind :)

I've also read a bit on here about avoiding a stone with a "window"... is that something I need to ask the seller or will that show on a stone report anywhere?
 
Loveis...|1294879587|2821161 said:
Thanks so much LovingDiamonds!!! I really appreciate your help, you're very kind :)

I've also read a bit on here about avoiding a stone with a "window"... is that something I need to ask the seller or will that show on a stone report anywhere?
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The cut is very important and for coloured gemstones, you won't find a lab report that assesses cut per se. Some do give an indication of quality but even then you can have a high quality stone with a poor cut! An honest vendor will tell you but many will hedge around the issue. Before you commit to buying (from anywhere), ask for a photo looking straight on at the gem. You'll be able to see for yourself whether there's a window or not. If the photo isn't head on, you won't be able to evaluate with 100% accuracy but you'll get an idea. Don't confuse a tilt window (i.e. a window that appears when the stone is photographed at an angle) with a window. A tilt window is acceptable, a window may not be (depending on your tolerance).

Colour also can't be assessed with any accuracy from photos but it does give an idea.

If you find something that you like, anonymise the photo (to stop lurkers jumping in and buying before you do) and post up here. There are a number of people who will be happy to help you evaluate the stone BUT be aware that a lot of us are gemstone snobs and can be highly critical!!! Our benchmark is probably far higher than the average lover of jewellery!!!
 
Thank you so much, yet again!

I am definitely setting the benchmark high. My friend doesn't have a lot of gem stone knowledge, but she loves a strong blue tanzanite and just knows that she wants either round or square in approx a 3ct. Although she naturally wants to find value for money, price is not the main concern for her, so I'd love to help her find something spectacular for her $$$.
 
Loveis...|1294880420|2821178 said:
Thank you so much, yet again!

I am definitely setting the benchmark high. My friend doesn't have a lot of gem stone knowledge, but she loves a strong blue tanzanite and just knows that she wants either round or square in approx a 3ct. Although she naturally wants to find value for money, price is not the main concern for her, so I'd love to help her find something spectacular for her $$$.
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She's picked the most difficult cuts to find in that size gemstone! You don't see many rounds or true squares (princess cuts). However, cushion cuts or modified cushion cuts in a 3ct size will be far easier to source. especially if you're looking for a particular colour and high quality. If your friend doesn't really know the difference between princess and cushion cut, I would show her some piccies of cushions and go from there.
 
Thank you :) I thought I should probably steer her away from princess cut, as I'd be worried that it may be more vulnerable to damage on the corners etc.

I love cushion cuts myself, so I may suggest that! Her #1 choice is round though, so I'll see if I can find something suitable in a round first.
 
This is the ring that made me gasp! Unfortunately the photos are rubbish and the video is even worse! It sold for about £2,000 but is set in platinum with E/F grade VS diamonds and the tanzanite is 8ct! This stone was the most fantastic blue with flashes of green, purple, red and teal, no window, no extinction. I know the photos and video suggest otherwise but trust me this one literally took my breath away and a tanzanite hasn't done that for a very long time.

http://www.thejewellerychannel.tv/ProductDetail.aspx?StockCode=724103&ISFPC=true Ignore the price shown.

This just gives you an indication of what The Jewellery Channel have in terms of Tanzanite but OMG their photos suck! Big time!
 
Hi--don't mean to threadjack, but I am also looking for a tanzanite and I just happened upon this thread. I was looking at JTV's online stock of tanzanite for a semi-mount I have. I am looking at the 10X7 pears, for a wide range of prices. It is so confusing, there are several in that size, with widely varying carat weights. I know that means that the depth varies, but how do I know which carat weight is best for that size?

thanks!
 
erinl|1301931536|2887402 said:
Hi--don't mean to threadjack, but I am also looking for a tanzanite and I just happened upon this thread. I was looking at JTV's online stock of tanzanite for a semi-mount I have. I am looking at the 10X7 pears, for a wide range of prices. It is so confusing, there are several in that size, with widely varying carat weights. I know that means that the depth varies, but how do I know which carat weight is best for that size?

thanks!
Click to expand...

JTV has an excellent return policy, so I will give them that. They also have a boat load of tanzanite, but if you're looking for a calibrated piece, it will show a stock photo, and that may not be the stone you're going to get.

I once bought a spinel from them at the recommendation of someone on PS, and I thought, I would give them a try. The spinel looked nothing like the photo, but they were great about the return (no questions asked).
 
Hi Arcadian -

I purchased a Tsavorite last year from Tsavorite USA, and I know that Bruce Bridges also stocks high quality Tanzanite stones. Bruce Bridges is the son the Campbell Bridges who discovered tsavorite gemstones and was also involved in bringing Tanzanite to GIA in New York for identification. You can Google both Campbell Bridges and his son Bruce and find a wealth of information. In any case, the service I received was wonderful and I am confident your friend would be pleased with both service and selection.

Good luck in the "hunt".
 
Paraibainternational is excellent for tanzanite, as good as return policy as anybody is offering, based out of NYC. Market value on even the good stuff is right around $1000.00/ct. He has been in the business over 35 years.His prices are below the market value.http://www.paraibainternational.com/products.php?category=37
 
I third the Gene at precisiongem recommendation, I bought a tanzanite from him about a year ago and I adore it! The color is stunning and cut is excellent.
 
I was looking for a pear for a semi mount, 7X11, but I ended up reserving Gene's 3 carat french button cut! My first major stone purchase!
 
I was wondering who bought that stone! It is BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to see IRL shots erinl!
 
k9muttlover|1302111553|2889334 said:
I was wondering who bought that stone! It is BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to see IRL shots erinl!
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Ditto. So excited to see some IRL photos
 
I have purchased from several sources for my burgeoning Tanzanite collection over the years (why buy gold when you can buy Tanzanite!). However, the quality of the stones I have purchased from Lapigems is much much higher than any I have bought anywhere else. I originally went for the lower prices when buying but have now realized that the stones Lapigems sells are in a different league and you don't normally see this type of color saturation in the market now. Their stones are very highly selected. So they may be a bit more expensive but well worth it. Their collection is on http://www.lapigems.com/tanzanite.asp
 
Have a look at http://www.rubyfair.com . Their tanzanite is fairtrade (they own a mine in Tanzania) and larger pieces come with a certificate.

I usually buy sapphires for my business from them, but have seen their tanzanites and they are mind blowing.
 
Lilia|1357972784|3353646 said:
Have a look at http://www.rubyfair.com . Their tanzanite is fairtrade (they own a mine in Tanzania) and larger pieces come with a certificate.

I usually buy sapphires for my business from them, but have seen their tanzanites and they are mind blowing.
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Always great to hear about new sources (at least new to me).
 
Lilia|1357972784|3353646 said:
Have a look at http://www.rubyfair.com . Their tanzanite is fairtrade (they own a mine in Tanzania) and larger pieces come with a certificate.

I usually buy sapphires for my business from them, but have seen their tanzanites and they are mind blowing.
Click to expand...

Has anybody bought from this Company? I'd be interested because their pricing is way too expensive for the quality. Hopefully their stones are better than the photos.
 
Imk,
What is your experience with TanzaniteOne like? Can you please share what you purchased or their service?
 
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