Swala Gem Traders
Tanzania
At a glance
Established Franco-American certified (GIA, ING) gemologists born and brought up in East Africa. The company is well recognized throughout the world.
Eric Saul whose father mined aquamarines in East Africa in the mid-60's, was the first geologist to discover the tanzanite deposits in the late 60's and was the one who brought the blue zoisite (tanzanite's official name) to Tiffany's President. In the early 70's, he discovered the famous ruby deposit (the John Saul Ruby Mine) in Tsavo (Kenya), known worldwide for the quality of its rubies.
Swala Gem Traders offices are located in East Africa in order to be as close as possible to the mines. They purchase gems directly from the miners, not from middlemen.
For the jewellery, they work with French and Italian workshops.
They are ICA Members themselves and Eric is the Ambassador to Tanzania for the International Colored Gemstone Association.
Swala Gem Traders retail outlets can be found at :
The New Arusha Hotel in Arusha
The Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel in Dar Es Salaam
The Hotel Tilapia in Mwanza
