If you have been reading some of my more recent posts, you will know that I am quite negative about the supply of interesting tourmaline rough in the market today. And the little that is available is quite expensive by historic standards. Well I recently received an email from Africa and things are looking up. Connections are being reestablished and while rough is still higher priced, there is a more normal supply of material. Still my principle dealer is only getting back in the game on a limited scale. And the other African dealer, I have bought from for years, is concerned about buying larger more expensive material because he is unsure that he has a resale market for it.
Tourmaline has certainly been “discovered” and even if a larger supply of rough appears on the market. We can always hope for a “big” find. It does happen with tourmaline. Tourmaline will never be the “bargain” it was before the discovery of Paraiba like tourmaline in Mozambique and China’s increase in wealth and interest in tourmaline. I miss the old days, but at least I maybe able to get a fix for my color addiction and have a little fun with the only gemstone I care about anymore.
Bruce
