Large Diamonds in Demand

Market in brief:Sept. 2, 2005 … Diamond dealers are reporting that shortages of 2+ ct. diamonds are supporting higher prices. Well-made round brilliants and princess cuts in the collection colors remain strong. Better quality 3 ct. to 5 ct. goods are very scarce and therefore prices continue to firm on demand. In the fancy shapes, pear, emeralds, and ovals are doing well. Better antique cuts are in very strong demand in sizes over 2 cts.

In the colored-stone market, pink and blue sapphires continue to lead all others in demand. Peridot sold well this summer. Dealers expect its popularity to carry well into 2006. Peridot production has improved in the Pakistani market, and asking prices are up from last year as a result. Other stones selling well this summer include aquamarine, green tourmaline, and most varieties of garnet.

Diamond: ¼ ct. 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: 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 $6,200 $5,900 $4,800 $4,200
H $5,300 $5,100 $4,400 $4,000
I $4,100 $3,900 $3,700 $3,400
J $3,700 $3,500 $3,100 $3,000

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

Pink Topaz

Good Fine
1 to under 3 cts. $100–$300 $300–$600
3 to under 5 cts. $150–$350 $350–$700

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

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.

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