Recent Andesine Feldspar Not Natural - TREATED!

As was to be expected with the large amount of Red Feldspar which appeared on the market within the past few years, it was recently disclosed by a number of sources that this gemstone was being treated/enhanced. The large quantity of material on the market had people talking and wondering about the true source - some had heard it was from the Congo, others thought it could be from China. A few companies indicated that it was being mined in the Nepal area. Seems that this feldspar is actually coming from the Mongolia area and might be actually clear or yellow. With heat and the addition of copper, the material becomes red. In some information recently read online, one person indicated that the Chinese were purchasing large amounts of Yellow Feldspar. However, when attending trade shows, one sees Red Feldspar, but no Yellow. When asked if they have Yellow, the answer is "no". Where is ALL that Yellow Feldspar going? Looks and sounds like a treatment process. So...it seems what was being sold as natural, is not quite as natural as one was told. Though this Red Andesine Feldspar is treated, there is natural Red out there....

To read more about this issue, visit the links below. Note that there will be much more information as studies are performed and the treatment is disclosed.

JCK - We Interrupt Our Tucson Blog...Part II

JCK - Andesine Update

TV Show Thread Continued from the Andesine Thread

Cost of Faceting Gemstones Abroad Increases Across the Board!

As we mentioned in the past, everything is going up in price. Our gemstones currently remain at prices somewhere in between wholesale and retail, though with prices climbing so readily and some gemstones being difficult to price due to rarity and our lack of knowledge of the retail market, many are below wholesale. Previous Gem News has indicated how fast rough and faceted gemstones are increasing, the lower dollar, higher prices of oil, gold, etc. We have received a number of emails about cutting charges abroad. These emails were sent to us only because we are on their mailing list and these are associates in other countries. We have been faceting most of your gemstones in the U.S. when we can obtain the rough and also, re-faceted many. (In the case of the Mozambique Tourmaline, we might loose thousands of dollars to re-facet an already faceted gemstone, but when one sees the result, it is understandable and others in this country would not do this and they therefore wouldn't have gemstones that look like ours! Below you will find two snipets of emails from Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, indicating that the price to facet gemstones has or will be increased, and coming to a retail store near you!

Sri Lanka - We would like to inform you that our cutting cost has gone up in price due to the price increase of the cutting equipments in the market and the other things (Electricity, Water, Telephone, Wages, Etc.) This is a common thing happening every year, but we did not increase our cutting rates for the past 5 years. Now it has come to a considerable amount, which has affected to our cutting cost very high. Therefore we have decided to revise our cutting charges by 10% with affect from the 1^st May 2008.

Hong Kong - The new labor law in effective the Jan 1 2008 does make the life very hard. You are no longer allowed to lay-off workers in low season or run out of business unless you are going to compensate one month's salary for one year service in the company, upto 12 years. After 10 years service the worker will become you permanent employees until the date of retirement. Imagine we have 200 workers with average 6 service year and if we wish to close the business, we must pay everybody 6 months salary first -- say each is going to receive $3,000 only, how much cash do we need? If we have such cash on hand, the business can certainly survive, no need to dismiss. On top there are the monthly pension, medicial, insurance etc. that must be covered and the imperative increase of minimum pay every 6 months. Last year the increase was 25%. So please be prepared to pay new prices for anything from PRC...The government has just few days ago, announced an increase on basic salary by l3% starting in April. Chinese RMB is expected to appreciate by l2% against US$.

Teams search flooded Tanzania mine for bodies or survivors

Tanzanite Mining Locality Flooded Once Again... As many as 80 miners missing after flooding fills in the tunnels in the Merelani area in Tanzania where locals dig for Tanzanite...

Click on the following link to be taken to the article:

< Flooding Impacts Miners of Tanzanite >

Teams search flooded Tanzania mine for bodies or survivors

Tanzanite Mining Locality Flooded Once Again... As many as 80 miners missing after flooding fills in the tunnels in the Merelani area in Tanzania where locals dig for Tanzanite...

Click on the following link to be taken to the article:

< Flooding Impacts Miners of Tanzanite >

What Does the Future Hold?...

Dollar is Down
Prices for Gas Up
Stock Market is Down
Gold Hitting All Time Highs
House Prices Continue to Fall
Food Prices Continue to Climb
Financial Institutions 'Bear'ly Hanging On

The dollar and probably most other currencies are no longer tied to gold, so governments can print more paper money anytime they wish. The Bretton Woods Accord made the U.S. dollar the reserve currency - the currency used by other governments and institutions to settle their foreign exchange accounts and to trade commodities such as oil and gold. There is talk that this status could being jeopardy, possibly making the Euro or even the Chinese Yuan the reserve currency! The dollar is down about 50% when compared to the Euro. Most other world currencies are high flyers when compared to the dollar. In fact, we have only been back from Thailand for a few months, and the Baht is now 15% higher than the dollar. What does this mean? Upon our return to Thailand, we will pay 15% more for anything bought in gemstones, food, hotels...everything! That will mean an immediate increase in any gemstones. This is not true of only the Thai Baht, but every other currency that gemstones are purchased in. So gemstone prices will not only be higher due to the weak dollar, BUT, gemstones are also increasing in value and that means even higher prices for gemstones purchased today when compared to a few months ago, a year ago or within the past few years. Many of our prices on line are below wholesale, at wholesale, just over wholesale or somewhere in between wholesale and retail. Our goal has always been to price our gemstones below retail, to price items based on what was paid and not necessarily on the normal/current wholesale prices. We seek out 'deals' and then offer them back to the trade or the public. With over 27 years in the business, we do pretty well in this respect!

People are waiting in lines to turn in their gold not only because the price per ounce is high, but because they could use the money to pay for gas, food and other essentials. Unlike many other countries who value gold as a hedge against uncertainty in currencies and governments, Americans just utilize gold for adornment, numismatic appeal and sell when prices are high when it might be advisable to hold onto hard assets. They say if you adjust the value of gold from 1980 to reflect inflation, a new high in gold would actually be well over $2,000 per ounce.

With bank interest being low, the dollar continuing its decline and the stock market having issues, hard assets like art, gold, platinum, diamonds and fine quality colored gemstones have been another option for many. For the owner of All That Glitters, the stock market has never been a money maker, even after a few decades. $17,000 invested into a high flying company turned into less than $200 and there is no pretty stock certificate to even hang on the wall. At least in gemstones, there is a hard asset that still exists. Hard assets are tangible and just don't evaporate.

We have been seeing more and more funds coming in from abroad. Many feel that there are a number of investments in some newer material being found and the trade magazines are just announcing the news and discussing the prices. Mozambique Tourmaline is dazzling the trade with wonderfully unique colors and much of this material contains Copper and is therefore, Cuprian Tourmaline, similar to Paraiba Tourmaline in composition. Though the prices might seem high, how long will this material be available? Many would like to keep this quiet and to continue to purchase in hopes that prices will continue to climb as demand in the trade and in retail becomes greater. The reason why demand hasn't sky rocketed is that the material (and prices) are just not known. That will change as the trade magazines continue to publish more information.

More news to show how prices are increasing dramatically, on especially the fine, unique, rare, unusual material (as well as even the lower end, as larger off color diamonds are increasing almost weekly). A very fine Canandian specimen of Ammolite which sold this time last year, was just sold once again at auction for $220,000. That is 7 TIMES the price of only one year ago.

We are seeing and hearing all kinds of stories. In watching the national news the other night, it was noted that there is a hugh influx of Europeans and Asians visiting the U.S. as everything here is priced at bargain prices. Americans might not think so, but a gemstone dealer in the most recent Modern Jewelers Magazine (Gem Profile) had the following to say about prices, no-haggling on prices and the quantities of gemstones being bought from foreigners visiting the U.S. - "It makes you wonder if Americans grasp the new reality of the marketplace". Some U.S. companies are now accepting Euros to make it even more attractive - foreigners don't have to exchange their currency and the sellers get a currency which is in more demand and strong against the dollar. With the All That Glitters philosophy of value and price, this is the main reason why we have continued strong sales in both America and abroad.

Finding the high end material is always difficult, but in this niche,
All That Glitters is still positioned to shine in both quality and pricing.


Addendum: After attending the GIA Alumni New England Chapter for a dinner and discussion on Beryllium and Lead Glass Treatment of Corundum by a member of the GIA staff in NYC, there were many conversations at the dinner tables. All That Glitters Purple Mozambique Cuprian Tourmaline was a very big hit as many had read about it in trade articles/magazines recently, but had not seen it in person. We understand that only two companies in the U.S. are known to have this - All That Glitters and a very well known company on the West Coast. In the discussions, one of the individuals indicated that he had been to Antwerp for diamonds within the past few months, and they DO NOT want U.S. dollars in payment. One must convert U.S. dollars into Euros. This is another case that we have heard of and that implies gemstones (as well as all other items imported or purchased abroad) will be much more costly for Americans. It costs Americans 50% more to exchange U.S. currency in to the Euro, so one gets an idea as to what to expect in price increases in the future when the newly purchased items are placed for sale...

Tucson 2008, Market Conditions, Prices, New Finds

Much to report in general for early 2008. We have been very busy adding new customers to our mailing list and sending out purchases. In fact, January has been a banner year in sales and this could be a trend as people are desiring to put funds into beauty, jewelry they can design, gemstones, etc. The dollar is low, gold is high and the stock market is uncertain. Many people/dealers have told us that they were rather have gemstones versus money in the bank or the stockmarket. The bank isn't paying any interest, many people have lost in the stockmarket over the past decade or two; they don't even have a fancy stock certificate to hang on their wall...with gemstones, there is something tangible and with fine colored gemstones, the market is controlled by supply and demand and is not an artificial market as Diamonds. De Beers is a major controller of the prices of Diamonds and Diamonds are not as rare as many colored gemstones.

Prices are up across the board in rough and faceted gemstones. What is selling in Tucson and in other markets, is the higher end, quality colored gemstones. We are positioned extremely well, as this is the All That Glitters forte. Expect to pay more for Sapphire, Ruby, Tourmaline, Garnet - or to be even more exact, EVERYTHING is increasing in price. Of course, for the past few years, we have been indicating to our customers that the price of Sapphire had been fairly low. Though on the increase now, those who do not purchase will look back in the future and say that they didn't buy because they thought the prices were high - and in that future, the prices of today will probably look very reasonable and affordable!

Again, the Mozambique Tourmaline has everyone talking, as the color range is not only diverse, but also unique, with new colors of Tourmaline never seen before. We especially find the Fuschia, Magenta, Purple, Amethyst Purple, Purplish Pink, Pinkish Purple and all variations in between to be wonderful, in demand and something to not only watch in the future, but to possess. The fancy colored or very bright Mozambique Tourmaline is quite often heavily included. We have chosen most pieces to be eye clean or mostly eye clean. The color is very desirable and among dealers, we have been discussing the fact that in the future, collectors and investors will be seeking this color out. Many of the Mozambique Tourmalines contain Copper. We have seen pinks and purples certed as containing Copper. One of our associated tested his Mozambique Tourmaline that were variations in Purple, and all tested as Cuprian (Copper containing) Tourmaline. Gemstones that look similar in color can test out as Tourmaline, Tourmaline with Copper as well as Tourmaline with Copper and Manganese. We feel the color should be the major factor for determining a purchase versus being based on the presence of one or two elements. There is no need to pay for something that you can not visually see.

An article about the Mozambique Tourmaline has appeared recently in Gems and Gemology Magazine, as well as The Loupe (GIA). The author was Brendan Laurs. Since we have communicated with Brendan before, bringing interesting gemstones that we had to his attention, we commented on the wonderful colors of Tourmaline that we had seen coming from Mozambique. Brendan's reply was: "I have also seen the magenta material that you mentioned -- it is quite nice and unlike the color I have seen in tourmaline previously".

NOTE - This find of Mozambique Tourmaline, especially the fancy colors (neon blues, neon greens, fuschia, magenta, purples and purple variations), would be classified as a Type III Gemstone by GIA. This means that inclusions are usually present, just as in Emerald, Red Beryl, Red Tourmaline, Diaspore, etc. We have chosen fine gemstones and most do not have eye visible inclusions, but essentially all have inclusions when louped. This is not necessarily a negative, but will help determine that it is natural and in the future, also possibily determine the country of origin (which can be a major factor in price or to a collector/investor). We have viewed a $40,000 Mozambique Tourmaline recently (Feb 2008 - wholeslae price) and it was eye clean, but when viewed with a 5X loupe, there were inclusions. All That Glitters has similar gemstones, but are asking about 50% to 80% of the current wholesale prices from some dealers since we are buying close to the source as well as do not mark up our inventory as much.

Other gemstones in trade discussions is the new find of bright pink Spinel from Tanzania. There are some fine, bright, clean, well cut pieces and this material is even smaller sizes is selling for $5,000/ct and up, wholesale. These prices are also similar to the Mozambique Tourmaline which was written up in a very recent Modern Jewelers Magazine issue as the Gemstone Profile. Both of these finds are selling for high prices because the colors and sizes have not been seen before, and in all previous finds of fine gemstones, it will not last. The mining localities do dry up and it is usually not too long after the find. Those who wait will find this new material will be like the Paraiba strike of 1989 - the material runs out and prices are $15,000/ct for small material (wholesale).

Observations in Cambodia and Thailand - All That Glitters Month Long 2008 Expedition

The rainy season is over and the mosquito population has dwindled. Still highly recommended to spray one's clothes, apply deet and take anti malarial pills. Not only does one have to worry about Malaria from mosquitos during the early morning and evening, but a different species of mosquito is active during the day and there is a potential of Dengue Fever with this particular species.

As usual, one has to watch what ones eats and one never knows what exactly will cause issues. Sickness is probably pretty much inevitable as was evident in a two day bought associated with food in Chiang Mai - two different forms of anti-biotics were used in handling this particular issue. Besides stepping on something on a beach, having an open sore due to a broken blister, dehydration, a scratch from a kitten in a jungle village and staying clear of monkeys/bats, it was pretty uneventful besides being on anti-biotics once again for a sinus infection. Of course, there was that false tsunami alarm at 6:20am one morning and a 9-13foot or so King Cobra that was seen. The cobra was encountered just after reading in a guide of the area that cobras and vipers are nocturnal and therefore, usually out at night....

As far as rough goes, we did not see anything really of interest, but one must be on the constant look out and check everywhere as there can be some decent rough, but it just hadn't passed our way. Of course, the really fine rough is at a premium in both price and when one actually encounters it.

In faceted gemstones, we saw lots of Blue Zircon, but only purchased the higher end with good color and certainly attempted to buy that Super Blue (a unique color) that we had seen last year and we were lucky enough to purchase two pieces back then. This year, we have a few more. The color is not often seen. Even the very good blue is rare and this Super Blue that we call it, is just not available in any quantity either.
Spessartite was available at higher prices. We saw a few pieces of nicely colored Tsavorite and an incredible Tanzanite - we bought these pieces. There were some bright blues and greens in the Paraiba (Mozambique Tourmaline, most likely with Copper, but the color can be similar to those with Copper and not contain it!). The prices for fine pieces are quite high - thousands per carat. There is a new find of Tanzania Spinel that is selling at ridiculous wholesale prices. We have heard stores of $5000 to $8000 per carat and a large piece of something like 15-30cts was sold for a price in the six figures. Upon our return, we were having a conversation with a miner in Nigeria who had a dealer in Tanzania on the other line. I inquired about this Spinel. It seems that there was rough that would faceted up to 3ct pieces and the price for this rough would cost us about $3000 per carat to purchase it, and that would not include the cost of cutting from our Master Cutter either.... We will be on the lookout for this material, but we will not be paying these prices - but will see what we can find.
We purchased some wonderful Mozambique Tourmaline in Purple, Pinkish Purple, Purplish Pink, Fushia, Fushia Purple, etc. This particular material was discussed with another dealer, and it is believed that this material will be in high demand from collectors. It is typically not clean, but I have personally chosen material that is eye clean or mostly eye clean. One dealer on the West Coast sells similar 5ct stones at about $5000+/ct wholesale. Our prices will be more realistic, based on what we paid.

We have been fortunate to find some really fine Rubies, with 2 large and fine gems available. Another large one of about the same size, has wonderful color, but more inclusions - we do not feel that the inclusions are a real issue though. Clean Rubies are just about impossible to find, and it is usually beneficial to see inclusions as one can determine whether the material is of natural origin or may have been created in a laboratory. We have approximately 5 very nice Rubies for sale, many with certs indicating Heat (usually always the case also), but the certs also indicate No Fillers. Some Ruby, especially from Madagascar and Africa, are filled with glass deliberately. Many others, including the Burmese material, is typically heated to improve the color and the surrounding material is usually Borax. This Borax can seep into any small inclusion or crack that comes to the surface. Though not deliberately filled, the company we used in Thailand for the certs will indicate that filler is present if they see ANY on the surface, and this can be just a pin prick. All the Rubies we certed show evidence of heat but No Fillers, which is usually not the case as the Borax can easily flow into any surface pit, scratch, inclusion reaching the surface, etc. So it is pretty safe to say that if there is no filler seen, the Rubies had no issues at all with their surface when they were heated. All these Rubies are from Burma. Unfortunately, Tiffany's and some other companies are buying nothing, including Peridot and Spinel, if the country of origin is Burma - regardless of when they were purchased or from whom they were purchased. This is unfortunate, as a very large number of fine gemstones are smuggled over the border and do not go through the Burmese Governments Auction and therefore, the government does not receive any moneys from these smuggled goods. The smuggled gemstones avoid duties, etc. from the government, do not put money in to the pockets of this corrupt regime, but not purchasing smuggled goods may hurt those very people that embargoes or bans are meant to protect. The smuggled material usually comes from individual miners, common folk, the poor who attempt to make a living at what can be found in the gem producing areas or the overburden from past diggings.

We also picked up some fine golden, orangy and yellowing Sapphires that were mined in Thailand, just outside of Chantaburi and in one of the old mining areas. This material has been heated to improve the color, but no other treatment has been done. Heating of Sapphire and Ruby is now common place and it is rare to find these gemstones that show no evidence of heat. We did make one purchase of a wonderful fine Purple Sapphire from Ceylon. This was certed and shows NO evidence of heat.

Prices continue to rise across the board and this is due to many factors, including inflation, difficulty in finding the rough, Sapphires and Rubies continue to go up, demand for many gemstones has risen, the U.S. dollar is weak against all currencies...

The following is quick list of those recently purchased gemstones - see photos on the above link.

Mozambique Tourmaline, Purple to Purplish Pink, Pinkish Purple, Fuschia, Fuschia Purple Incredible!....

Ruby Oval, 2.04cts Certed Natural, Heat Only, No Filler (Burmese - Excellent Gemstone across the board! Investment Gem)

Ruby, Oval, 2.02ct Certed Natural, Heat Only, No Filler (Burmese - Excellent Gemstone across the board! Investment Gem)

Ruby, Cushiony Shape, 2.03ct, Great Color, Good Size A must for those seeking a good looking Ruby at a low price
Ruby, Cushion, 1.25ct, Natural, Heat Only, Burmese - Great all around!

Ruby Oval, 1.07ct, Certed Natural, Heat Only, No Filler (Burmese - Wonderful)

Sapphire, Oval, Blue 2.89cts Certed

Sapphire, Oval, Purple 1.73ct Certed Natural, No Heat

Sapphire, Golden 4.45ct Certed Heat Only

Sapphire, Golden 3.19ct Certed Heat Only

Sapphire, Matched Pair, Pinkish, Color Shifting to some extent, 3.19ct total wt

Sapphire, variations of Yellow, Golden, Orange; Thailand Origin; Misc Shapes; Heat

Sapphire, Emerald, Tri-Color, 1.99ct, Golden with Blue Stripe (Gold/Blue/Gold)

Spessartite Garnets, Variations of Orange, 3pcs, 6.40-7.11cts, Certed

Spinel, Cushion, Orangy, 3.86cts

Tsavorite, Pear, 2.02ct, Certed

Tsavorite, Oval, 3.02ct, Certed

Tanzanite, Trilliant, 5.28ct, an incredible glowing Purple-Blue Velvet, Certed

Zircon, Misc Blues, including a few that are the Super Blue that we had last year; one is a deep Aqua Blue with a Green band running across the gemstone

Trade Compliments All That Glitters on Quality and Price!

The holiday season is upon us and All That Glitters has been visiting retail stores. A pair of wonderfully matched Blue Sapphire had been sold to a store on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The store owner visited Boston to see a company who might have a matching center stone. (All That Glitters would have a match for him, but he had other business to attend to in Boston and never thought of initially contacting us!). The gemstone company in Boston, has also been in business for decades just like All That Glitters. He commented on the fine color and match of the Sapphires - he thought they were truly a wonderful color and match. There were no fine quality Sapphires in their inventory to match the color of the pair - this particular color is very fine and not often seen. Matching the color will typically be difficult even for us, but we do have a few center stones that would work as we are known for the finer quality/higher end gemstones. We were happy to hear a competitors honest compliments - it doesn't always work that way....

At another store, we learned that a gemstone salesman from Sri Lanka had been in the store the previous day. Still having a few matched pairs of the fine Blue Sapphire, we showed the owner this material and quoted him a price. He was impressed with the color and also noted that the price was VERY good. This also pleased us, as this material is from our associate in Sri Lanka whose family has been in the gemstone business for generations. Their gemstones are mined on property that they own. They are very careful not to abuse the land and insure that the property is not destroyed but left in better condition after they have removed the gem material than when they started their work. Though the store owner did not say so, I believe that our price was better than the lighter matched pair of oval Sapphires he had just purchased from the gemstone dealer the previous day. Ovals are more common than rounds and we have been very blessed to have a number of rounds and trilliants in 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5mm. Of course, we have kept requesting of our associate to facet matched pairs for us, over the past several years. He knows that we are very particular of the color, the size and the design in cutting - all must match for us to give the thumbs up! Many earrings one sees out there are not really true matches, as the cutting design, the color or the size usually varies. Our goal is to be able to have these matched pairs on the side of a center stone where all these 3 variables must be equivalent between both stones or the eye can see this - it is a different story when there is a foot separation as when they are worn as earrings. If the 3 variables mentioned do not match on both stones, we would typically reject them in case one of our on-line customers or stores wishes to use them in a ring vs. a set of earrings.