Navneet Gems & Minerals is now offering salt-and-pepper sapphires from the Songea region in Tanzania. They are available in a variety of colors including yellow, green and teal.
The color distinction of sapphires comes from visible inclusions in the stone, similar to salt-and-pepper diamonds.
They are sourced globally and have substantial deposits in Australia and Sri Lanka, the Thailand-based manufacturer said. But those from Tanzania have a similar colour profile to Montana sapphires. Even a clear black inclusions of hematite minerals inside the gemstone.
“Salt-and-pepper teal sapphires with obvious pepper inclusions are found exclusively in Tanzania.” As Navneet Agarwal, sales and marketing manager of Navneet Gems & Minerals, said.
The manufacturers' offer consists of 100 to 150 individual stones, both calibrated and fancy shaped.
Gemstones range between 0.5 and 2 carats and are available in commercial and finer grades. They are available in a variety of colours including yellow, green and teal.
Agarwal considers inclusions as unique characteristics of the stone and not as undesirable defects. Citing the copper inclusions observed in some Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines. But also the zirconium crystals that can occur in Sri Lankan spinel.
“These subtle flecks of black and grey in sapphires serve as unique indicators of their growth and origin,” he said.
“Usually, inclusions weaken a stone when they come from within it. However, a uniquely striking pepper inclusions can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the stone. Without compromising its structural integrity.”.
The manufacturer said it seeks to harness all the properties of gemstones from a deposit.
“From a sustainability perspective, if we follow this model that the inclusions reduce the value of the stone, most of the rough mined would be discarded. We strongly believe that this is a huge waste of resources, time and effort,” Agarwal said.
Agarwal adds: “It is precisely these imperfections that add to their striking beauty and value.”.
The increasing value of ethical sourcing for modern buyers creates an appreciation for gemstone variations. Something that was previously ignored and a change in the conventional valuation of gemstones, Navneet Gems & Minerals said.
The company said that maintaining a stable supply in Tanzania has been a challenge in the past, but it has materialised for the time being.
“In 2024, everyone is looking for something special - something that can be quantified and sold in larger quantities consistently. We have sourced a lot of material directly from the mines. Which can be sold for several years, as we want to provide our customers with a consistent supply. What happens next is out of our hands. But it depends on how much the land produces,” Agarwal said.
Tanzania, with the government's active involvement in promoting sustainability in the gemstone industry, has the potential to create an ethical chain from mine to market, according to Navneet Gems.
The company also said it is “committed to meeting the challenge of reporting on the full chain of custody, anticipating the growing demand for this transparency feature”.
Navneet Gems & Minerals was founded by Suresh Agarwal in 1993, is currently managed by his son Navneet Agarwal and is headquartered in Bangkok.
Source: nationaljeweler.com
