Gem Pricing Report

By Staff -- JCK Online, 7/1/2007 2:00:00 AM

For five years the hottest segment of the colored-stone market has been high-end unenhanced ruby and sapphire. Prices increased dramatically for the fine and extra-fine categories. A major factor in the price volatility has been consumption in emerging markets. With prices at record levels, sales of truly gemmy natural ruby and sapphire are limited to the wealthiest consumers.

By June, dealers were reporting a marked slowdown at this level of the market. Roland Schluessel, Pillar and Stone, tells JCK, “Currently demand is concentrated around the unusual gem materials. We are doing well with stones like danburite and large, nicely colored zircon. But unenhanced fine ruby has been slow.” Schluessel thinks the strong stock market is a factor. “Now, only the rich can afford the top-quality stones. But with the Dow at record levels, there is no incentive to pull money out of the stock market.”

Finished colored stone jewelry joined unusual loose stones as strong areas at The JCK Show. In finished goods, rings and bracelets did well. Sales for commercial-quality mass-merchandise jewelry also have been strong.

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

Round Tahitian Black Pearls

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

Tanzanite

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

Pink Topaz

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