Tanzania government doesn't know the owner of record-breaking ruby exposed in Dubai

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

Tanzanian government has said that it was yet to ascertain the true origin of the 2.8kg variegated ruby, said to be one of the world’s biggest, which went on display for the first time ahead of an auction in the Gulf emirate of Dubai.

The magnificent gemstone which weighs 8,400-carat stone, nicknamed “Burj Alhamal” was unveiled on April 15 at Waldorf Astoria DIFC as part of SJ Gold and Diamond’s Callisto collection.

Responding to a question tabled by Member of Parliament for Mkinga constituency, Dunstan Kitandula, the Deputy Minister for Minerals, Stephen Kiruswa said they learnt of the existence of the ruby on April 13.

“We then contacted the Tanzanian mission in Dubai, which confirmed that the current owner was an American citizen from California. We are therefore engaging diplomatic investigation in three countries to ascertain its origin.” He said adding that if it is true then Tanzanians should be assured that their rights will be taken care of.  

He said his ministry is now following up to find out the circumstances under which the gemstone left Tanzania to its current owner.

Deputy Minister for Minerals,
Stephen Kiruswa

Insiders said the company displaying the mineral could have sourced it through other means that remain a subject of investigations.

Though details remain sketchy about when the gemstone was obtained; the variegated purplish-red rough Ruby was reportedly mined from the village of Winza in central Tanzania.

The uncut Gemstone, which weighs almost the same as a brick, was unveiled by British actor Tamer Hassan at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre on last Friday.

Patrick Bellati, the Managing Director of the company exposing the record-breaking ruby was happy to finally unveil the stone

"This is a rough Ruby from Tanzania it's 8,400 carats, it is not heated, what I mean by not being heated is not been treated. So, it is natural and that's why it's precious. […] We're going to auction it, but before the auction for the next 30 days, we'll be actually travelling Dubai in different locations where everybody can see it. Because it's important to show that it really exists. You can Google these images, but you’re not sure whether they are real or not.” Said Bellati.

Experts have been questioning the true source of the mineral in question, and if the government was informed about its availability or not.

Also being questioned is what Tanzania government deserves to get through the sale of the mineral if it was indeed sourced from the country over unknown years.

According to minerals experts, the greenish and purplish stone could be auctioned for 120 million dollars.

In Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania are one of the main rubies producing countries.

Rubies were discovered in Winza village, Dodoma region in Tanzania, by December 2007, about 600 diggers and brokers from various mining areas and gem markets in Tanzania had moved to Winza to work the deposit for ruby and sapphire; the number reached 5,000 in 2008.

By July 2008, there were more than 100 foreign buyers in Mpwapwa and about 6,000 miners in the area. - Africa