I have begun to work with a Nigerian dealer, who now works in the US, He just got back from a buying trip to Nigeria. If you have read, like I did, that the Chinese have left the market and the supply of rough is better, you will be disappointed like I was. Prices are still historically high and more distressing, there is not a lot of material out there. In an effort to get high quality Rubellite, only two dealers showed up and their prices could not be negotiated down to the point of having any margin for profit. He did get some nice material in other colors, but really was not able to spend all his backing resources effectively.
I am still cutting a wide variety of tourmaline, but it has taken digging into friendships and established commercial relationships to get by. I have very limited faith in inter net pictures to help purchase rough. And with prices the way they are, going slow with new dealers is essential. This helps reduce the risk of buying tourmaline rough , but can never eliminated it.
Bruce
