Is any of you experienced selling Tanzanite stones?

A family member is in the process of importing these stones to the U.S. and I was wondering if he is making a mistake or not.

Is there a strong market for something like this?

Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

PI

Yes, I have had experience with Tanzanite. Like all stones, it comes in widely varying degrees of quality -- from cabochon-grade to the highest quality, reaching values greater than diamonds.

A few questions:
1) Why is he purchasing them? To resale? Have cut & polished, then resale? Use as an asset?
2) Is he buying kilos of the material, or a small parcel of goods?
3) Is he quoting or being quoted per carat prices or per gram prices? (this would determine quality)
4) Has he provided you with any description of the goods as of yet?

Something to keep in mind in this economic climate -- the deflation of asset values; and quality gemstones have not been immune to this. Many jewelers and gemologists are getting buy via selling gold, not gems.

Tanzanite, whether cabochon-grade or gem-quality, is a beautiful natural stone.
Not prying, but is he buying a small parcel for the fun of it, or has he succumbed to gem-fever, mortgaged everything, and hoping that the swag from the deal will bring on a new day?

If you have photos and descriptions (like a manifest), I can give you a professional opinion.

All the best,
RML23

I recently caught a major stock case of the Gem/Diamond fever ...in this market don't expect sales right out unless you are the cheapest person around . Hey even if the wholesalers won't buy it sell it to the public for cheaper then what the retailer's can. I have Tanzanite but it is brown ... but I do specialize in sapphires , rubies , emeralds, and alexnadrite. Including all cuts of diamonds with GIA Certs, but getting them sold to wholesalers have been cumbersome for me , because they want the prices that I got it for.