Tanzanite pricing

[acute_angle]

On my way home today, I was walking through a shopping centre and I had a peek at a jewellery store, and they had TANZANITES in the window! I was amazed that a jewellery store in a shopping centre would have them.

Anyway, I fell in love with one of the rings I saw. It had a gorgeous (well of course, jewellery store lighting etc) princess/cushion (label said princess, but it looked cushion to me) square tanzanite about 7-8mm in width, claw set, in an 18k white gold band which was bezel set with some tiny baguette cut diamonds which were SI2, H (the price tag didn't specify if the gradings were for the tanzanite or diamond so I assumed diamond).

The price?
AUD$3900.

I have no idea if this is a reasonable price or not, could somebody give me some ideas? I probably won't buy it (no money

) but I'd like to know what ballpark I should be looking at.

EDIT: The ring was very similar to this one, but the stones were all square/rectangular, if you could imagine that http://www.thetrendz.com/14k-gold-tanzanite-and-diamond-ring.tt18041.html

Also, could anybody give me some ideas where I could find loose tanzanites? I am not sure I want to trust an online dealer, and there don't seem to be any gem shows in my area (Sydney, Australia). I want to shell out on a nice tanzanite (or another intensely coloured stone like a tsavorite or ruby) and diamond ring at the end of the year, as I am turning 21 and graduating from university. (It's also my 2 year anniversary to my partner, so maybe he couuld get me a gift!

)

Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

Tanzanite pricing is like any other colored stones. It varies WILDLY depending on mostly color, but also inclusions and cut. So unless we can see the actual stone...it is anyone''s guess.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 3/12/2008 3:22:07 AM
Author:acute_angle
On my way home today, I was walking through a shopping centre and I had a peek at a jewellery store, and they had TANZANITES in the window! I was amazed that a jewellery store in a shopping centre would have them.

Anyway, I fell in love with one of the rings I saw. It had a gorgeous (well of course, jewellery store lighting etc) princess/cushion (label said princess, but it looked cushion to me) square tanzanite about 7-8mm in width, claw set, in an 18k white gold band which was bezel set with some tiny baguette cut diamonds which were SI2, H (the price tag didn''t specify if the gradings were for the tanzanite or diamond so I assumed diamond).

The price?
AUD$3900.

I have no idea if this is a reasonable price or not, could somebody give me some ideas? I probably won''t buy it (no money

) but I''d like to know what ballpark I should be looking at.

EDIT: The ring was very similar to this one, but the stones were all square/rectangular, if you could imagine that http://www.thetrendz.com/14k-gold-tanzanite-and-diamond-ring.tt18041.html

Also, could anybody give me some ideas where I could find loose tanzanites? I am not sure I want to trust an online dealer, and there don''t seem to be any gem shows in my area (Sydney, Australia). I want to shell out on a nice tanzanite (or another intensely coloured stone like a tsavorite or ruby) and diamond ring at the end of the year, as I am turning 21 and graduating from university. (It''s also my 2 year anniversary to my partner, so maybe he couuld get me a gift!

)

Thanks!

I would seriously consider talking to Gary - who I think is in Australia - if you are buying from the right person, buying over the internet will give you a better choice of stones. Unless you have a very trusted B&M jeweller, I would go with online everytime.

RE tanzanite prices depend on the stone and all its variables. They can get seriously expensive!

You also need to consider if you are happy with heat-treated. You will pay a premium for untreated.

I would consider how often you want to wear the ring. Personally, I would only put a tanzanite in a pendant - I''d be too scared of breaking or chipping it.

If you are interested in tsavorite - have a look at the threads going at the moment for more info.

Re Ruby, I would have a look at spinel or rhodolite garnets.

 

[Isabelle]

Date: 3/12/2008 3:22:07 AM
Author:acute_angle
On my way home today, I was walking through a shopping centre and I had a peek at a jewellery store, and they had TANZANITES in the window! I was amazed that a jewellery store in a shopping centre would have them.


Anyway, I fell in love with one of the rings I saw. It had a gorgeous (well of course, jewellery store lighting etc) princess/cushion (label said princess, but it looked cushion to me) square tanzanite about 7-8mm in width, claw set, in an 18k white gold band which was bezel set with some tiny baguette cut diamonds which were SI2, H (the price tag didn''t specify if the gradings were for the tanzanite or diamond so I assumed diamond).


The price?

AUD$3900.


I have no idea if this is a reasonable price or not, could somebody give me some ideas? I probably won''t buy it (no money

) but I''d like to know what ballpark I should be looking at.


EDIT: The ring was very similar to this one, but the stones were all square/rectangular, if you could imagine that http://www.thetrendz.com/14k-gold-tanzanite-and-diamond-ring.tt18041.html


Also, could anybody give me some ideas where I could find loose tanzanites? I am not sure I want to trust an online dealer, and there don''t seem to be any gem shows in my area (Sydney, Australia). I want to shell out on a nice tanzanite (or another intensely coloured stone like a tsavorite or ruby) and diamond ring at the end of the year, as I am turning 21 and graduating from university. (It''s also my 2 year anniversary to my partner, so maybe he couuld get me a gift!

)


Thanks!

Hi Acute Angle! I know I am a bit late to this discussion, but I was traveling and then saw your post, so I wanted to chime in and hopefully help a little. First, I should tell you that I know first-hand how confusing purchasing tanzanite can be, as I recently went through the same thing. And the fact that there aren’t the same universal grading standards for tanzanite as there are for diamonds makes it all the more complicated in trying to figure out what constitutes good quality, fine quality, investment grade, etc. You cannot rely on “AAA” or “AA” claims b/c unless it is backed up by a gemological report (preferably the GIA), you just don’t know what you are getting. What one jeweler calls “AAA” another would call “A”. Here are some of the things I discovered during my “tanzanite odyssey” (LOL).

First, virtually all tanzanite is heat treated, so do not bother searching for tanzanite that isn’t. Second, tanzanite is “trichroic” meaning that there are three colors that you could see in any given stone: blue, purple, and red. From the gemological standpoint, (which may or may not be the same as what is pleasing to YOU), the finest tanzanites radiate either blue with slight violet undertones (vB), OR purple with slight blue undertones (bV). From the gemological standpoint, the “red” is considered undesirable. So if you want something that the industry considers the best, it would be predominantly blue with slight violet or predominantly purple with slight blue. The so-called “red flash” that you hear about isn''t really present in the so-called “best” tanzanites. (Having said that, please note: MANY people PREFER red flash in their tanzanite. If you do, then you should go with the stone that YOU LIKE, and forget about what other gemologists believe. They aren’t wearing your ring. ☺)

In terms of knowing whether you have an objectively high quality stone or not, the only way to know for sure is to have a GG (graduate gemologist) grade the stone you are considering buying. And contrary to the stuff you hear about “AAA grade” or the like, what you are really looking for is a GIA grade ratio that reads like the following: vB 6/5 or 5/5 OR bV 6/5 or 5/5. “vB” means predominantly blue with violet undertones. “bV” means predominantly purple with blue undertones. Either type of tanzanite is equally valuable, and you should just go with the color you like best. While you definitely want an “eye clean” stone in order to satisfy gemological standards for what is a top quality tanzanite,(one you can’t see any inclusions with a loupe), it is really the saturation ratio that makes ALL the difference to the experts. The ratios 6/5 OR 5/5 have to do with color saturation and intensity. The most evenly saturated stones with the deepest intensity and most consistent color will have a ratio of 6 over 5 (6/5). The next best is 5 over 5 (5/5). Now here it gets a bit tricky b/c it is *highly unusual* to find a tanzanite that has a GIA saturation ratio of 6/5 or 5/5, and even harder still to find such a ratio in a tanzanite weighing less than 5 carats! Lower carat weight tanzanite tends to be faint violet in color, which is quite pretty but does not have the saturation ratio that the "top grade" tanzanite does have. So if you want to avoid the “cocktail ring” look, but you still want the top quality tanzanite, you are going to have to be patient and diligent in your search, and I hate to say it, but get ready to shell out some money. I found one, but I have to tell you that I paid through the nose for it.

As for the setting itself, it is true that tanzanite is quite fragile. It is about as soft as opal, even softer than emerald. But if you set it in a halo setting AND you are quite careful (for example, don’t ever expose it to hot water or any heat if you can help it), then you can wear it as a ring. The costs of tanzanite per carat vary depending mostly on that saturation ratio. When I was trying to decide about buying my tanzanite ring, a man named Anthony Zagoritis was very helpful to me. He has written and published extensively on tanzanite grading. He owns Lapigems, a reputable site for tanzanite. I did not buy my tanzanite from his site, but when I contacted him with my questions about my ring, he got me in touch with an outstanding "jewelry judge" (GG) appraiser who has worked in the industry for over 50 years to assess my stone before I made a final decision on it. Other great sites for finding top grade tanzanite are palagems and swala gems. I think if you talk to the people at these three sites, you will find the stone you are looking for and feel great about purchasing tanzanite as an educated purchaser rather than going in blind and taking a shot in the dark.

Ultimately, you have to go with the stone that speaks to YOU. THAT is the most important criteria, and matters more than any mathematical equation. If you decide to purchase anything, please post pics so we can all see and enjoy. I hope this was somewhat helpful and I wish you all the luck in your shopping!

 

[marcy]

I can''t add anything on the advice you''ve already been given. I do like both the periwinkle blue tanzanite and the more expensive colored tanzanite that''s the true dark violet. I have several rings and haven''t had any problems with them being damaged. I take care of my jewelry but do accidently knock them now and then. The prices vary wildly both for color and quality. I would say if you find something you are happy with and the price is acceptable to you you''ll have something you''ll enjoy wearing for years.