What goes up must come downManufacturers are concerned about the strength of the gemstone market after business cooled further in September. The Hong Kong show was active for exhibitors of high-end colored stone products. However, exhibitors of commercial-­quality goods saw little demand. This marks a reversal from the spring, when both fine- and commercial-quality goods were in demand, reflecting robust trading activity in the high end as well as the discount sectors. As the holiday season approaches, retailers are adopting a wait-and-see attitude before committing to new stock.The scarcity of fine colored stones, like unenhanced ruby and sapphire, for example, helped attract steady demand. This trend has been particularly strong in recent years. Yet dealers are now cautioning that in some categories, prices have gone so high that retailers are now reluctant to buy stock. Dealers