Different Methods Used to Make Tanzanite Jewelry
Tanzanite jewelry, as with all jewelry, is produced using various different methods. The vast majority of it is mass manufactured. Rough gems are is exported from the source to the cutting centers in Thailand and India where labor is cheap. Here, vast quantities of medium and lower grade Tanzanites are cut. Most of these are cut into calibrations and then resold to large manufacturers, also in the Far East. These manufacturers, themselves process millions of “findings which are jewelry pieces fashioned by machine and made to set specifications and intended for a set size of calibrated gemstone. The manufacturers then source that size and shape of Tanzanite and mass set them into the mass made pieces. Like this, they produce huge quantities of the same piece. These are then sold on to jewelry stores around the world who market them directly to the end consumer.
The second most established method used is the age oldmethod of handmade jewelry. This is a skill and an art and requires much experience and dexterity. It is performed by goldsmiths. Most goldsmiths use the lost wax method. This is a variation on an ancient art. A wax model is prepared of the final design. This is then set into an industry plaster called investment plaster, which is in turn heated up until the wax melts and pours out, leaving a negative impression of the piece. This is then filled with specially alloyed gold (or metal of the goldsmith’s choice), generally using a centrifuge of some sort (although these days, vacuum casting machines are often used). After the metal has colled sufficiently, the investment plaster is removed and the piece is filed. Tanzanites are now set carefully using claws or bezels. Finally the piece is finished using a high polish, filigree or other method depending on the design. The method is protracted and very skilled. As a rule it is only used for custom pieces and very fine jewelry as it is much more labor intensive than the mass production method.
How to Care for Tanzanite Jewelry.
As Tanzanite is a little soft and can scratch easily, it has some special care considerations. The best way to clean it is using hot, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Under no circumstances should you ever consider using an ultrasonic cleaner or any other automated cleaning method. Similarly, when wearing your Tanzanite jewelry, understand that it is vulnerable and attempt not to perform any manual work or operations when wearing it. Similarly, keep your Tanzanite jewelry away from chemicals and definitely don’t store it in any location which may subject it to high levels of heat.
If at any stage, the Tanzanites in the jewelry become scratchedand lose their luster, they can be repolished with little or no loss of weight by a gem cutter. By heeding the simple instructions above, Tanzanite jewelry can be kept undamaged for many years.
Nicola Jameson designs and makesjewelry for a company based at the source of Africa’s gems. The company focusses on cutting the very finest gemstones and making custom handmade fine jewelry, specifically Tanzanite and Tanzanite Jewelry