November Newsletter 2023

Welcome to our November Gemstone Newsletter! Our main focus this month is on the stunning Sapphires being found in Tanzania. We hope you will enjoy our newsletter and explore all the beautiful gems you can find at Gemselect.

Tanzanian Sapphires

Tanzanian sapphire gems have proven to be very popular as of recent times. Tanzania is best known for tanzanite and rare tsavorite garnet, but over recent years, Tanzania has become one of the most dominant sources for gem-quality sapphire including rare color change stones.

The Songea region of Tanzania is also becoming one the most important sources for fine fancy colored sapphire, particularly due to high levels of magnesium. It is the magnesium which results in a wide range of fancy sapphire colors. Many of the Songea sapphires respond very well to beryllium heat enhancement, producing some stunning colors.

In addition to Songea region, the Tunduru area near bordering Mozambique is also a very well-known source for its quality sapphire deposits. Although there are many active sapphire mining areas in Tanzania already, most mining is still on a small scale, which means there is still much to see from Tanzania in the upcoming years. We have added many stunning Tanzanian sapphires of all colors to our stock.

Black Spinel: A Gemstone of Elegance

Black spinel is a gemstone that has gained notable popularity in recent years for its intense black hue and excellent durability. With its elegant appearance and affordability, black spinel has become a favorite choice for both fine jewelry enthusiasts and designers.

Black spinel's distinct black color and excellent durability make it versatile for a wide range of jewelry designs. The gemstone can be fashioned into all types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Its opaque black appearance enhances any design, adding a touch of sophistication. Black spinel is primarily sourced from several regions worldwide, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania, and Brazil. For those looking for an affordable and beautiful black gemstone, spinel is a great choice.

Rare Color Change Garnets

Color change garnet is an especially rare and valuable member of the garnet group of gemstones. It is highly desired for its distinct ability to change color depending on the type of light source with which it is viewed. With color change garnet, the intensity of color-change can be quite dramatic, often surpassing that of the finest alexandrite.

Most color change garnet will exhibit a brownish-green or bronze color when viewed under natural daylight, but when viewed under incandescent light, it will appear rose to pink in color. The leading supplier of color change garnet is East Africa, particularly the Umba Valley in Tanzania.

Other notable sources include Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Madagascar, Norway, Tunduru and the USA. Color change garnet is ideal for any type of jewelry application. Like all garnet gemstones, it has excellent hardness, brilliance and durability. Color change garnet is perfectly suitable for everyday rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pins and pendants.

November Birthstones

The birthstones for the month of November are topaz and citrine. Both topaz and citrine are said to bring happiness and joy to those who wear them.

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Happy Gemstone Hunting!

Team GemSelect