5th July Tana

I saw and bought a small parcel of yellow zircon and two green zircons. There was also a parcel of mixed colour sphene and about 80 grams of large hessonite garnets.
I also saw a parcel, 1 kilo, of the darkest blue aquamarine I’ve seen on this island, but it had all been picked over and was cabbing only. I was given a couple of pieces and the dealer is going to try to get me some facet quality before I leave. Didn’t give me price as it will depend on what price he pays for it at the mine, but I know it won’t be cheap. Unless I get quite a bit don’t expect to see this for sale except as cut stones.
Just picked up another parcel of yellow, green and pink zircons, not huge but good colours. Also have bought my first aquamarine and hasn’t it gone up in price. Not a huge qty as most weren’t clean but good colours.
Selected 5 pink sapphires from about 2 kilos of material. Most of them were small, poor shaped or included. The five I got were 4-5cts each (4.4grams) and good shapes and colour. I don’t think the seller was happy after all the time sorting to only take five stones, but pink sapphire and ruby are getting to prohibited prices so I’m only prepared to pay those prices for the best with decent sizes.
Lots of glass filled ruby that they are trying to sell as untreated natural. One of the honest dealers told me his were glass filled up front and he buys them from the Thai's, who bring them back from Thailand when they visit. It is bad enough picking out all the synthetic sapphire and ruby that has been broken up and tumbled to make it look like natural river tumbled stone and now there is glass filled ruby here as well. I pity all the tourist who get taken to the cleaners by some of the sellers.