Gem Pricing Report

By Staff -- JCK Online, 1/1/2007 2:00:00 AM

Market in brief: The price trend in the colored stone market continues to be upward due to light production around the globe. Supplies of high-end natural (unenhanced) ruby and sapphire are tight. Dealers report strong demand for rubies in the 3.00 to 5.00 ct. range, with very little material available. Fine Mogok stones are extremely difficult to find in these sizes. Burmese sapphire production is faring only slightly better.

Scarcity, combined with a lower U.S. dollar and strong competition from overseas markets, has many dealers expecting fewer bargains in Tucson. However, dealers are still optimistic about the show because of the strong demand for unenhanced gemstones. Astute dealers maintain that the stronger prices will make Tucson a mandatory destination for retailers this year, since the sheer size of the event makes it a buyer’s market, and the best prices of the year are traditionally encountered there.

Diamond: 1/4 ct. round

	VS₁	VS₂	SI₁	SI₂
G	$1,300	$1,200	$1,100	$950
H	$1,150	$1,050	$1,000	$900
I	$1,100	$1,000	$900	$850
J	$1,000	$950	$850	$800

Diamond: 1/2 ct. round

	VS₁	VS₂	SI₁	SI₂
G	$3,200	$2,800	$2,400	$2,000
H	$2,800	$2,400	$2,200	$1,800
I	$2,200	$2,100	$1,900	$1,700
J	$1,900	$1,800	$1,700	$1,600

Diamond: 3/4 ct. round

	VS₁	VS₂	SI₁	SI₂
G	$3,800	$3,600	$3,300	$2,900
H	$3,500	$3,300	$3,000	$2,800
I	$3,200	$3,000	$2,600	$2,200
J	$2,500	$2,300	$2,100	$2,000

Diamond: 1 ct. round

	VS₁	VS₂	SI₁	SI₂
G	$6,500	$6,100	$5,000	$4,300
H	$5,500	$5,300	$4,600	$4,100
I	$4,200	$4,000	$3,800	$3,600
J	$3,800	$3,600	$3,200	$3,000

Fancy Pink Diamond: 1 ct. radiant

VS	SI	I₁
$60K–$85K	$45K–$75K	$30K–$43K

Red Spinel

	Good	Fine
2 to under 3 cts.	$150–$450	$450–$900
3 to under 5 cts.	$400–$850	$850–$1,800

Blue Sapphire

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$125–$420	$420–$1,250
2 to under 3 cts.	$325–$750	$750–$2,000

Akoya Pearls (by the strand)

	Fine	Extra-Fine
18-in. strands, 6 to 6.5 mm	$650–$850	$1,000–$1,200

Nigerian Spessartite Garnet

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$75–$90	$90–$120
2 to under 3 cts.	$90–$125	$120–$160

Blue Zircon

	Good	Fine
1 to under 3 cts.	$20–$50	$50–$75
3 to under 5 cts.	$35–$75	$75–$150

Tanzanite

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$175–$325	$325–$425
2 to under 5 cts.	$250–$450	$400–$525

Round Tahitian Black Pearls

	Good	Fine
8 to 8.5 mm	$30–$60	$60–$120
10 to 10.5 mm	$35–$90	$90–$150

Pink Topaz

	Good	Fine
1 to under 3 cts.	$125–$350	$350–$700
3 to under 5 cts.	$180–$425	$425–$900

Prices shown represent actual wholesale memorandum prices paid by retail jewelers on a per-stone basis. All prices are per carat except for cultured pearls. No responsibility or liability is assumed for the consequences of the use of any information in this report, nor for errors or omissions. The terms Commercial, Good, Fine, and Extra-Fine are general classifications developed and used by The Guide. Each represents a range of individual quality grades. When they are used in conjunction with proper grading, one can accurately pinpoint a price from within the listed range. A one-year subscription to The Guide includes six diamond issues (bimonthly); six newsletters (bimonthly); two colored-stone issues including pearls, opals, and jade (biannual); and The Guide Reference Manual. For more information, contact Gemworld International Inc., 630 Dundee Road, Suite 230, Northbrook, IL 60062; (888) GEMGUIDE or (847) 564-0555, fax (847) 564-0557. U.S., Canada, Mexico, $195 complete per year. Elsewhere $275 complete per year.