Gem Pricing Report

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 3/1/2008 2:00:00 AM

January produced weak sales for retailers. Consumer confidence slid on negative data from credit, business, and jobs reports. Nevertheless, the gem market is seeing some activity. Dealers report healthy demand for 2.50 ct. to 3.00 ct. round brilliants. Clean, well-made stones in the F–H range are difficult to find in 2.50-plus ct. sizes. Emerald cuts and cushions are reportedly doing well, while princesses and pears are stable. Price margins remain a concern as retailers still tend to give up margin instead of “selling” the stone. Such tactics are counterproductive, especially for high-demand, low-availability diamonds, which should earn dealers a reasonable profit.

Several highly publicized bankruptcy protection filings have made the diamond market skittish about extending credit, and wholesale dealers caution that credit concerns are becoming a serious threat to memo business. That gives retailers an incentive to establish relationships with a small circle of dealers that can handle their needs. Long-term associations and a solid record of on-time payments are critical to buying. Accounts that can buy instead of borrow goods are best positioned to reach clients in this changing market.

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.