vvs1gem?

[megeve]

Hi there!

It seems vvs1gem has most of his gems certified, can I trust these certs blindly albeit only if I liked the color? Anyone bought from him before and are satisfied with the gem/s as described?

Also, what does it means ''D Block'' in describing tanzanite?

 

[mhovingh]

Date: 6/8/2010 3:45:44 AM
Author:megeve
Also, what does it means 'D Block' in describing tanzanite?

I can't help you with the vendor you mentioned but I can with the 'D Block' (hope I got this right).

The government of Tanzania has broken down the areas that Tanzanite is mined in the country into blocks. The blocks are simply geographical areas within the country, a total of 4, named Block A/B/C/D.

Block D traditionally has produced some of the best Tanzanite. Good pieces can come from the other blocks but D seems to produce high quality stones more frequently than the other blocks do.

What does that mean to you as a person looking at the stone for purchase? If the stone is real Tanzanite and looks the way you want it to, then the block it came from should be irrelevant. I personally think that 'Block D' Tanzanite is really just a good label for selling, the history of amazing stones coming from that area provides a great opportunity to them to throw a little extra on the price tag of a lower quality stone. Since it is known by many that some of the best has come from that block, any Tanzanite coming from that area can have the 'Block D' stamp thrown on it, even if the stone isn't of the real high quality that some of the stones coming from that area are known for. Knowing your stone came from Block D can be a nice thing (speaks of the quality of the stone to those familiar with it, good for conversation when talking to someone about your stone), just don't think that only amazing stones come from there, or that you can't get the same or better quality than the stone you are looking at from the other blocks.

If I am wrong about this, feel free to correct me. I am still learning about all this.

 

[chrono]

Megeve,
I’m not up to date with all the eBay vendors but I think vvs1gems is also run by Tan who runs Odysseygems as well. If so, then you don’t have to worry about returns and refunds. Which lab certified the stones? Not all labs and memos are created equally.

 

[T L]

Chrono is correct, that store is run by Tan (aka Odysseygem/Gemburionline) so you don''t have much to worry about. He''s very popular. I own several gems from him and returned three, without any problem whatsoever.

 

[megeve]

Date: 6/8/2010 6:50:06 AM
Author: mhovingh

I can''t help you with the vendor you mentioned but I can with the ''D Block'' (hope I got this right).

The government of Tanzania has broken down the areas that Tanzanite is mined in the country into blocks. The blocks are simply geographical areas within the country, a total of 4, named Block A/B/C/D.

Block D traditionally has produced some of the best Tanzanite. Good pieces can come from the other blocks but D seems to produce high quality stones more frequently than the other blocks do.

What does that mean to you as a person looking at the stone for purchase? If the stone is real Tanzanite and looks the way you want it to, then the block it came from should be irrelevant. I personally think that ''Block D'' Tanzanite is really just a good label for selling, the history of amazing stones coming from that area provides a great opportunity to them to throw a little extra on the price tag of a lower quality stone. Since it is known by many that some of the best has come from that block, any Tanzanite coming from that area can have the ''Block D'' stamp thrown on it, even if the stone isn''t of the real high quality that some of the stones coming from that area are known for. Knowing your stone came from Block D can be a nice thing (speaks of the quality of the stone to those familiar with it, good for conversation when talking to someone about your stone), just don''t think that only amazing stones come from there, or that you can''t get the same or better quality than the stone you are looking at from the other blocks.

If I am wrong about this, feel free to correct me. I am still learning about all this.

Wow, thanks so much! Now the description makes alot of sense! Cheers!

 

[megeve]

Date: 6/8/2010 8:39:10 AM
Author: Chrono
Megeve,
I’m not up to date with all the eBay vendors but I think vvs1gems is also run by Tan who runs Odysseygems as well. If so, then you don’t have to worry about returns and refunds. Which lab certified the stones? Not all labs and memos are created equally.

They have quite a number of stones certified by top tier labs like GIA, GRS and AIGS. These give me a sense of comfort if I would buy from them but would still want confirmation about trust and return policy. Ahhh, TL just confirmed its also run by Tan.

 

[megeve]

Date: 6/8/2010 9:53:17 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Chrono is correct, that store is run by Tan (aka Odysseygem/Gemburionline) so you don''t have much to worry about. He''s very popular. I own several gems from him and returned three, without any problem whatsoever.

Thanks TL! Its nice to know that Tan is trustworthy, popular and returning stones are not a problem. Can it be that vvs1 has more high end quality stones than Odyssesgem or Gemburionline? I haven''t checked Ody/Gemb sites yet but I was amazed how many stones in vvs1 site have GIA, GRS and AIGS certs!

 

[T L]

Date: 6/8/2010 1:21:22 PM
Author: megeve

Date: 6/8/2010 9:53:17 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Chrono is correct, that store is run by Tan (aka Odysseygem/Gemburionline) so you don''t have much to worry about. He''s very popular. I own several gems from him and returned three, without any problem whatsoever.

Thanks TL! Its nice to know that Tan is trustworthy, popular and returning stones are not a problem. Can it be that vvs1 has more high end quality stones than Odyssesgem or Gemburionline? I haven''t checked Ody/Gemb sites yet but I was amazed how many stones in vvs1 site have GIA, GRS and AIGS certs!

You know, it could be that he puts his higher quality gems on that page, someone else thought that too. However, I''ve seen duds on vvs1gem, so who knows. Maybe ask him if there''s a difference.

 

[Arkteia]

Never bought from him yet but I was surprised that when I asked him if his spinel was windowed, he honestly said that yes, it was. It seems that VVS1 has more expensive higher-end stones but if you never bought from him I''d start with something cheaper. I can not "decipher" the color change in his CC stones, though - these shifts look so dramatic it is almost unbelievable.

 

[Indylady]

Another PS''er has purchased on of his color change garnets and posted pictures of the stone. The color change was not as dramatic as shown online, but there was a distinct color change.

 

[BlueSea]

For those who have returned stones to Tan's stores, may I ask about the return procedure? He stated in his website that it has to be Registered Mail with insurance - but how do you package it? Do you put the stone in the box or do you use USPS thick envelope? Do you use "Priority" or even quicker? Also, for international, I think you need to declare the content too - do you say "gem"?
I'm nervous to send it to Asia - but it seems that TL, Chrono and others have done so without trouble - so I just need some tips here

 

[T L]

For those who have returned stones to Tan's stores, may I ask about the return procedure? He stated in his website that it has to be Registered Mail with insurance - but how do you package it? Do you put the stone in the box or do you use USPS thick envelope? Do you use "Priority" or even quicker? Also, for international, I think you need to declare the content too - do you say "gem"?
I'm nervous to send it to Asia - but it seems that TL, Chrono and others have done so without trouble - so I just need some tips here

I return USPS (if you live in the United States) first class express with a tracking number. It is only insured up to $100, but I don't want to put a value on it because of security reasons. I put it in a flat padded letter size envelope with letter size sheets of paper in there, no gem box, only the gem stapled in it's original gem papers to the invoice copy. I put the invoice with the stapled gem in between the pad of paper (you can use a thin letter size magazine too). I declare it as documents for $100 value. It gets there in a jiffy, and Tan refunds immediately upon receiving it. It's around $28 to send a gem back this way.

The postal guy said there's actually better security this way because once it leaves the United States, they cannot guarantee it's security and because it has to get to it's destination very fast, this is a good method. People will tamper less with express shipments.

 

[Swala Gem Traders]

Hi Megeve,

There were 4 blocks at Mererani, A to D. Depending on the year, gems mainly came out of blocks B, C and D. Mererani is now extended and goes further than block D.

Top tanzanites are found elsewhere than in Block D. But since Block D is well known, people try to label their gems as being from Block D, whether true or not. You can also find very ugly tanzanites in Block D. In other words a top tanzanite is a top tanzanite, regardless of its block.
P.S.: I don't know this reseller and his stone may be from Block D; I wasn't referring to him but was generalizing

I hope that helps.

 

[LD]

I was just about to post about D Block and see I've been beaten to it!

As Eric as said above, years ago, D Block actually produced a higher proportion of high quality Tanzanite but actually that's not the case now. So, look at the quality and ignore the Block that the Tanzanite has been found in! D Block produces dud stones just as the others do.

Tan is a good seller and honest as well. Whilst his descriptions and what he tells you may not match (if you're super fussy like me), he always accepts returns so I'd say to go for it if something catches your eye because you've got the assurance that you can return anyway.

 

[colorluvr]

The main difference (other than having some very expensive gemstones on that site) that I have noticed is that all of the gems on that site are BIN, he doesn't run auctions on that site (at least I haven't seen any) and most of them don't have the "best offer" option.