Market in brief:June 9, 2005… The colored-stone industry continues to report that there is virtually no production of rough. With no new finds to create excitement, many dealers are seeing lackluster business this summer. However, demand for fine-quality unenhanced gemstones remains very strong, especially in the ruby and sapphire markets. High-end color was the highlight of The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas 2005. Blue, pink, and yellow sapphire were well represented. In the top qualities, prices are strong. From purely a value point of view, natural yellows offer the most attractive pricing in the corundum market.
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.
Diamond: 1/4-carat round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $1,200 | $1,150 | $975 | $850 |
| H | $1,100 | $1,000 | $925 | $800 |
| I | $1,000 | $950 | $850 | $750 |
| J | $950 | $900 | $800 | $725 |
Diamond: 1/2-carat 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-carat 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-carat round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $5,800 | $5,500 | $4,800 | $4,200 |
| H | $4,900 | $4,800 | $4,400 | $4,000 |
| I | $4,000 | $3,800 | $3,600 | $3,400 |
| J | $3,600 | $3,400 | $3,000 | $2,900 |
Fancy Pink Diamond: 1-ct. radiant
| VS | SI | I1 |
| $55K–$75K | $40K–$70K | $27K–$38K |
Red Spinel
| Good | Fine | |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $150–$400 | $400–$850 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $250–$500 | $500–$1,100 |
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 | |
| 8.0 to 8.5 mm | $30–$60 | $60–$120 |
| 10.0 to 10.5 mm | $35–$90 | $90–$150 |
Pink Topaz
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $100–$300 | $300–$600 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $150–$350 | $350–$700 |