How we select our stones
Stone Selection
We select only the best from the miners lots, cherry picking the best stones for color, shape and clarity, sometimes only 1 stone in a kilo sometimes one stone in 5 kilos, depending on the clarity, shape, size and color and of course general attractiveness and beauty of the individual stones.
We only buy the best. Primarily, we buy to cut ourselves, so we buy stones that are in the top top grade.
Why do we sell facet rough instead of cutting it ourselves?
Because we had a huge amount of clients asking if we could leave some rough in rough form instead of cutting it ourselves so they can cut it.
Knowing many of the miners personally we get first hand selection at the best stones that come out from East Africa. What we buy and offer out is above the quality of what is commonly available, we offer out the BEST of what comes out from the East African Region.
What you see on this site is site is probably the best that comes in from the miners, the top of the top, the crème de la crème.
We believe in Long Term relationships, both with buyers and miners.
We are 4th generation gemstone dealers and have been in the trade for a very long time.
Since all stones are unique, once they're gone, they're gone.
Good Quality Rough and Cut stones are not cheap, we hand select the Highest Quality Premium Facet Rough from what miners bring in, we literally ‘cherry pick’ only the Very Best from the lots, sometimes from thousands of grams to pick only a few stones, hence we pay a Premium to acquire such. We then offer them out to you.
Good quality stones are more expensive to acquire and miners want top prices for their good rough. Lower quality is much much cheaper.
Our Grading System
Our grading system on facet rough: VVS-IF means the stone will cut a VVS-IF cut stone, VS means the stone will cut a VS finished stone and so on.... We have been using this grading system for the last 17 years and just find that it is easier to describe rough this way. In 2001 we were probably one of the first to start grading rough in this way. Most just use the eye clean method or % clean method which was too vague and didn't really catch on with us. Since all the stones we buy are to cut ourselves then why not Grade to finished result?
Our stones move fast, stocks keep on changing continuously. If there is anything you like, please take it immediately! All stones are unique, individual and good investments, as no two stones can ever be the same, so when its gone, its gone.
Good facet rough are assets with prices going up all the time. They can be kept in rough form, traded and cut when needed.
