Ruby-Zoisite jewelry class in collaboration with massai ladies At the mines in Mundarara - Longido.
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Mounting of ruby-zoisite
in different goldsmithing techniques.
A jewelry course in teamwork with Maasai ladies in the ruby-zoisite mine of Mundarara Tanzania.
Tools and materials are provided on site. The gems are offered by the mine owner.
Your creativity is in demand and welcome. This unique collabo-ration explores the unknown.
Jewellers, designers, gold-silver smiths, gem cutters, artists, explorers. . . . etc. are cordially welcome. The jewelry you create is yours to keep.
You will be accompanied by Hubert Heldner jeweller and / or Céline Barman jeweller.
The journey starts in Arusha
and takes you to Mundarara.
Jewels are made durig 3 days without welding equipment. With simple tools, but with sophisticated techniques.
Return to Arusha and visit of a gem dealer, the Maasai market, the Tanzanite Experience and the Cultural Heritage Center.
Departure from Arusha.
Total 8 days + 8 nights US$ 1'705.- Price per person in a double room. US$ 1'870.- Price per person in a single room.
The flight to Arusha is not included.
Dates |
January 16th - 24th 2025 |
July 10th - 18th 2025 |
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![](images/mundarara04s.jpg) Massai ladies with Celine
Please make your reservation here
For further information please contact:
Miss Noreen Masaki or
Lapidary Training Centre
P. O. Box 19668
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
+255 787 721 761
www.noreen.ch
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Mr. Hubert Heldner
Free Form Artists
Avenue des Alpes 70
CH-1820 Montreux
Switzerland
+41 21 963 89 77
www.free-form.ch
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We provide:
- Privileged access to the mines.
- The stones you find are yours to keep. We negotiate and cover the necessary mining fees.
- Guides with a solid mineralogical and gemological background.
- Transportation within Tanzania including airport transfer, Hotel and breakfast during the entire Safari.
- A team of cooks will take care of our lunch at the mines,
- and we have 5 self-contained double rooms at our disposal.
- We organize the necessary paperwork for export of all cut and rough gems.
- A restriction is in place for 8 rough minerals in facet quality larger than 2 grams. They are : Tanzanite, Diamond, Spinel, Tsavorite, Chrysoberyl-Alexandrite, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.
- A professional gem cutting service. Samples to appreciate our cut quality are here.
- And last but not least, expect to travel on rough roads and some nights with only basic facilities.
You organize yourself:
- Sunscreen and sunhat (average temperatures 24-29°C / 75-84 F).
- One long sleeve shirt and mosquito repellent.
- Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended, see vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC
- Not included in the package price are 4 lunches and the dinners.
- You make your flight arrangements to Arusha.
- Export taxes for cut gemstones 3%, for minerals and rough stones 7%,
- plus a commission for preparation of the necessary papers, are not included. You pay the additional cost during the trip yourself.
![](images/mundarara05s.jpg) Under the shade |
![](images/mundarara06s.jpg) of a tree, we |
![](images/mundarara07s.jpg) had a lot of fun |
![](images/mundarara08s.jpg) creating jewelry. |
![](images/mundarara09s.jpg) Drilling |
![](images/mundarara10s.jpg) Ruby-zoisite |
![](images/mundarara11s.jpg) some pendents |
![](images/mundarara12s.jpg) Miners inspecting the jewels. |
![](images/mundarara13s.jpg) Pendant with silver wire |
![](images/mundarara14s.jpg) Exploration |
![](images/mundarara15s.jpg) Creation |
![](images/mundarara16s.jpg) Discoveries |
![](images/mundarara17s.jpg) Hard and dangerous |
![](images/mundarara18s.jpg) work underground. |
![](images/mundarara19s.jpg) The miners |
![](images/mundarara20s.jpg) on the job. |
![](images/mundarara21s.jpg) This is what |
![](images/mundarara22s.jpg) they look for, |
![](images/mundarara23s.jpg) ruby-zoisite |
![](images/mundarara24s.jpg) Mount Longido. |
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![](images/mundarara28s.jpg)
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Yoin us for a joyful exploration of creative possibilities. Aquire new technical skills. Share your know-how, with one of the indigenous peoples of Tanzania.
You will wear not only a lasting value, but also extraordinary memories.
With special thanks to the massai ladies :
Madame Elibaraka Daniel Kasimoto
Madame Anna Chalo
Madame Neema Israeli
Madame Nashipay Johanna
Madame Debora Emanuel
Madame Lea Kilomian.
Support
I would like to acknowledge the following persons or entities for their generous support.
Mr. Gabriel Sendeo - Mine owner of the Ruby-Zoisit mine and his mining team
Mr. Daniel Kazi Moto - Pastor
Mr. Christopher Oloipima - Chariman of the village
The experienced team is welcoming you to a unique and exciting "educational adventure".
Using simple tools but sophisticated techniques, the Maasai create artistic jewelry from local rubies and zoisites.
![](images/mundarara-tools1s.jpg) Here is the tool kit we use in Mundarara. Available at www.free-form.ch |
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