Gem Pricing

By Staff -- JCK Online, 9/1/2006 2:00:00 AM

Market in brief: The lean summer months won’t end soon enough for some retailers. Although a number of dealers are reporting steady activity, for most the market has been flat. The scarcity of white, clean diamonds in the 3.00 ct. range has increased dramatically. Dealers report that larger goods are extremely hard to find. Prices continue to firm, although price resistance is growing at the retail level.

The recent slowdown in the economy has many worried that the current upward trend is no longer sustainable. The tension in the Middle East is intensifying concerns that the market is poised for an even quieter autumn.

Diamond: ¼ 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: ½ 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: ¾ 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.	$350–$700	$700–$1,500

Blue Sapphire

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$125–$420	$420–$1,250
2 to under 3 cts.	$275–$630	$275–$1,750

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–$400	$400–$500

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.