Curate's Egg

[The Justified Sinner]

Strange day today: some things good, some bad, "good, in parts"!

Bad: my microwelder (hydro-flame) broke down; someone stole my tube-cutter; one of the students has hacked a coil of wire into multiple lengths as they were too lazy to look for the end.

Good: I finished a bangle -

Made from iron nail, silver, found washers, an old key, the tang of a file and set with sapphires, blue topaz and carnelian agate.

And received a lovely present of some Tanzanian alluvial "Umba" sapphires:

[The Justified Sinner]

I am not sure, really. All I can find out is that they are alluvial sapphires from Tanzania and that they are exceptionally difficult to get hold of. On reference suggests that the Tanzanian government has banned the sale of them since 2006, but I can find no other reference to this. The person who gave me these is somewhat guarded about the source and I don't want to push it, but I would use these a LOT if I could find a reliable source.

[Brigitte Martin]

Sounds like you had a so-so day. But - wait a minute.... "Umba" sapphires? What's that all about?