Tanzanite AAAA Ring Has Lost Its Vibrancy

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sleepydove

sleepydove

Registered Shopper
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
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56
Location
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I purchased this ring on the 6th December last year and was so pleased with it I actually left a glowing review with photos on the 24th December.
However since then the stone has lost its vibrancy, looks dull and has lost its fire.
I have attached photos of it taken on the 24th December and one taken on the 20th March and the difference is plain to see.
tanzanite ring 24th dec resized.jpg
tanzanite ring 20th March resized.jpg
I spoke to QVC and sent some photos and they have contacted me this morning to say that I can return it for a refund but I would have to pay for next day delivery which I was willing to do. They called back 5 minutes later saying that DPD would pick it up tomorrow!
Is this excellent service from QVC or maybe they want the ring back quickly for another reason.
I know that Tanzanite stones can be cobalt treated to enhance the colour of a slightly inferior stones but although I have searched the internet and rung a few specialists including Anchorcert I still do not have an answer.
I know how knowledgable people on here are and just wondered if anyone can help.
 
I doubt you`ll have used an ultrasonic cleaner on it which would be a massive no no on tanzanite but from what I`ve read even water can make some tanzanite stones go dull. It seems there may be tiny tiny fissures in the stone which fill with water and make the stone dull. One article I just read said a woman forgot to remove her tanzanite ring in the shower and it never looked the same ever again.
 
Sazza said:
I would suspect it could be hand sanitiser or similar that could have caused it.
Click to expand...
I always take my rings off when I am doing anything that involves water or sanitiser but who knows and thank you so much for your suggestion.

Vienna said:
I doubt you`ll have used an ultrasonic cleaner on it which would be a massive no no on tanzanite but from what I`ve read even water can make some tanzanite stones go dull. It seems there may be tiny tiny fissures in the stone which fill with water and make the stone dull. One article I just read said a woman forgot to remove her tanzanite ring in the shower and it never looked the same ever again.
Click to expand...
Ultrasonic cleaner I have not used just a very soft toothbrush to lightly brush it. Thank you for your reply much appreciated.
 
I haven’t worn good rings in the past year and if I felt I needed to it was Eek as I’m not convinced hand sanitizer in the quantities we are using them is going to be good for them.

I have one tanzanite ring which I only wear occasionally in the summer as it’s really a size too big so I didn’t realise about the water thing.
 
sleepydove said:
I purchased this ring on the 6th December last year and was so pleased with it I actually left a glowing review with photos on the 24th December.
However since then the stone has lost its vibrancy, looks dull and has lost its fire.
I have attached photos of it taken on the 24th December and one taken on the 20th March and the difference is plain to see.
View attachment 21016
View attachment 21017
I spoke to QVC and sent some photos and they have contacted me this morning to say that I can return it for a refund but I would have to pay for next day delivery which I was willing to do. They called back 5 minutes later saying that DPD would pick it up tomorrow!
Is this excellent service from QVC or maybe they want the ring back quickly for another reason.
I know that Tanzanite stones can be cobalt treated to enhance the colour of a slightly inferior stones but although I have searched the internet and rung a few specialists including Anchorcert I still do not have an answer.
I know how knowledgable people on here are and just wondered if anyone can help.
Click to expand...
If an item is faulty QVC have to pay the cost for the return it's the law, I suspect they realised they cocked up when they told you that you would have to pay for return postage and made a hasty phone call to correct their mistake.

Make sure you get a receipt from the courier, because it was an expensive item and I really do not trust QVC who seem to think that they are too big and important for consumer protection rules to apply to them.
 
I have just found this article about cobalt treatment of tanzanite stones https://www.gia.edu/doc/Coated-Tanzanite.pdfTanzanite stones cobalt treated.png
Hmmm looks a bit similar to what has happened to my stone.
Surely QVC would not sell colour treated stones......or would they!

SusieSue said:
If an item is faulty QVC have to pay the cost for the return it's the law, I suspect they realised they cocked up when they told you that you would have to pay for return postage and made a hasty phone call to correct their mistake.

Make sure you get a receipt from the courier, because it was an expensive item and I really do not trust QVC who seem to think that they are too big and important for consumer protection rules to apply to them.
Click to expand...
I could not agree more!
 
Last edited:
It annoys me that they push delicate stones as engagement rings. Stick to diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies or eek for those. The rest are best kept for earrings and pendants or for occasional dress rings.

Your ring is very pretty. Thank goodness q have treated you well. 👍
 
I bought a tanzanite ring a few years and I remember opening the box and being delighted with how sparkly it was. I read a little bit about its care and as Vienna says it’s a no to ultrasonic cleaners. I did not remove it to shower or to wash my hands and unfortunately the ring has lost its sparkle. I don’t enjoy wearing it any more. What QVC fail to tell us is that it is quite a soft stone and not really suitable for daily wear. It’s a gemstone that I will avoid in future.
 
WOW!!!! As said by others Tanzanite is delicate but pushed as perfect engagement ring it also can fade even turning white over time. Does not like water or soaps etc. I have a Tanzanite ring 9ct white gold bought from eBay of all places my stone looks like your second photo and I paid £60 for it. I did get a certificate with it saying it is AA.

I remember when Tanzanite first appeared on QVC, and they compared the colour to the colour of the wrapper of a Dairy Milk. Which was purple not blue! I have noticed over time the shopping channels sell this bright cobalt blue and say it is AA,AAA or AAA grade.



I swear if buying Tanzanite I would go for the Diamonique version if I wanted the AAAA look. Harder wearing too.
 
Whenever we visit Turkey we go to the same jeweller and he makes things from scratch. You choose your own stones from a selection, tell him what type of item you want ie ring, necklace, earrings etc and then describe the style. He does a rough sketch and you can tweak it to your own taste. Once you`ve chosen the stones, he costs it and if it`s too much then he`ll show you relevant stones within your price bracket or suggest an alternative style using either less gold or fewer diamonds or smaller gemstones. Eventually you come to something you like and can afford and then go back 4 or 5 days later to see the finished product and pay for it.
I have seen trays of tanzanites in his shop which are the colour of dreams some the size of gulls eggs and all beautiful. Literally 20 or 30 stones to a tray and several trays ranging in shades from blue to purple or a mix of the two. They look stunning and very tempting but I have always resisted mainly because of people either damaging their stones or the colour fading or losing the sparkle.
Over the 10 years we`ve visited the same jeweller I have bought items with rubies, sapphires, diamonds and amethysts and each item still looks pristine. That sound very grand but believe me when I say the stones I have purchased from him are very modest in size and price and on a par with prices here but for much more gold, individual design and bigger better quality stones though none of them are gulls egg sized I hasten to add.
 
I have several Eek rings which have been sold as imitation tanzanite or sapphire and I’m happy with them all. I like different settings.

Actually I would be hard pushed to say there was a stone I didn’t like for me it’s all about the design so I really envy Vienna and her jeweller in Turkey
 
My grandfather was a jeweller & I'm old enough to remember him talking about the amazing new stone that had been discovered in Africa. He said that it was perfect for earrings & necklaces but not a good choice for rings because it's quite soft & there are tiny fissures within the stone that can fill with even the smallest drop of water. I'm sorry about your lovely ring.
 
rosielinks said:
I didn't realise any of this information regarding tanzanite. They certainly do not mention anything about this when they are selling it.
You shouldn't really need to remove rings to wash your hands.
It makes these stones very high maintenance.
Click to expand...
I never wear any rings to do housework,I clean all jewellery after wearing and I remove rings when washing my hands.

I have a couple of Tanzanite rings and they still look fine but,tbh, I have hardly worn my wedding or engagement ring this last 12 months.
 

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