Gem Pricing Report

By Staff -- JCK Online, 1/1/2008 2:00:00 AM

While record per-carat gem prices are being paid in East Asia, the U.S. market remains cautious because of concerns about an economic slowdown. The weakened U.S. dollar is contributing to the higher prices U.S. buyers are finding overseas. In general, however, the gem market is growing. Because some foreign currencies are strengthening against the dollar, many dealers expect a significant increase in the number of foreign buyers attending the upcoming Tucson GemFair.

One aspect of the domestic market has been largely overlooked by U.S. jewelry retailers. Despite heavily reported volatility in the ruby market, prices for most colored stones are still low. Many gems are "old" inventory, with prices based on "old" payments. The cost to replace these stones, however, is much higher today, partly because of the decline in the dollar's value against foreign currencies in some key producing nations. Dealers will face sticker shock when they go out to replace goods in Colombia, Thailand, etc., where the dollar is down around 20 percent since last year. Yet few U.S. dealers have taken advantage of this buying opportunity that could lock in higher profits.

Diamond: 1/4 ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$1,495	$1,350	$1,200	$1,050
H	$1,400	$1,300	$1,070	$950
I	$1,260	$1,150	$950	$900
J	$1,100	$1,000	$900	$850

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: 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

Diamond: 2 ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$12,300	$10,900	$9,400	$8,100
H	$10,200	$9,400	$7,900	$7,200
I	$8,700	$8,000	$7,200	$6,700
J	$6,800	$6,300	$5,900	$5,500

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–$500	$500–$800
3 to under 5 cts.	$250–$550	$650–$2,000

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
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.