Gemstone Prices: Do They Make Sense?

Gemstones are beautiful, but have no value in itself (perhaps with the exception of diamonds used for industrial purposes). Why not a nice 1 carat ruby sold reasonable heated United States, perhaps to $ 500, while a fine not treated 6 carat VVS Tourmaline go for $ 200? Why is a clean untreated 10 carat amethyst only $ 30? Sun offers views jewel?

The simplest answer would be believed, is that it's only a matter of supply and demand – as a group of people who want to buy a specialtype of stone and supply is limited, the price of this jewel is high. But this answer does not really tell the whole story of how things work in the field of jewelry.

Consider the case of one of the most rare and precious stones, diamonds. In the 19th century, world production of diamonds is only a couple of pounds a year. After the discovery of the South Afrikaans diamond mines in 1870, diamonds have been dug from the earth literally tons. There was such aabundance of supply and demand is so small that the British financiers in South Afrikaans mine is in danger of losing their investment. Their solution was to create the powerful De Beers cartel, which in this day, controls the world diamond production and delivery. Quality diamonds are actually not rare at all. But De Beers controls the supply coming on the market and keep prices high.

De Beers consortium also mounted a concerted campaign for decades to reconcilediamonds with love, courtship and marriage of the now familiar slogan "Diamonds Are Forever." Diamond engagement ring, when unknown in most of the world (including Europe), now considered an essential part of the ritual of marriage. It 'was probably one of the results of the most successful social engineering in the 20th century. (In Thailand, a bride who still prefer the gold, though).

Colored gemstone in the world, there is fortunately not a cartel, even though many forces trying to influencemarket demand and perceived value. Consider, for example, that the words "noble" and "semi-precious stones. As many know, is precious stones are diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. But did you know that the list of gems, including amethyst times, what happened? The discovery of large deposits of amethyst amethyst Brazil made available throughout the world, and has been on the list of "precious" stones thrown. It would be difficult to maintain prices for the other "noble"Stone as one of the group was sold for just $ 5 per carat! So amethyst was demoted.

These days, some rare semi-precious stones like Alexandrite Demantoid garnet and may be more expensive than rubies and sapphires. The fact that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission now has limited use of misleading distinction between precious and semiprecious stones. However, ruby, sapphire and emerald still commands a premium price in the market.

According to the International Colored GemstoneAssociation (ICGA), gems traditional – rubies, emeralds and sapphires – which command a premium price in the market because of "their lasting appeal and distinguished history. "Even today, most of these stones are treated or enhanced in one way or another, the price of precious relics, however, and ruby, emerald is likely to be more expensive than sapphire.

The ICGA identifies a second category of jewelry, which they call the "new classic" – tanzanite, tourmaline, aquamarine, imperial topaz, andTsavorite Garnet. These stones are considered "rising stars of Gemstone Jewelry", and are also increasing in price as their popularity increases. Tanazanite, in particular, has a strong encouragement.

Less well-known pieces that are not traded very often are very reasonable prices on the market. These stones, jewels ICGA calls "collector" includes spinel, zircon, and Moonstone Morganite and Beryl.

Then there is a list of jewelry Conversation ICGA"jewelry at affordable prices" – Beautifully colored stones that have a good availability and attractive prices. These include amethyst, citrine, Ametrine, peridot, sapphire, blue topaz, Iolite, kunzit, diopside and andalusite.

All this makes clear, we believe, is that there are several factors at work in determining prices Gemstone. Rendering is of course important, but the electricity industry in the jewelry trade is also an important factor in determining the level of demand. Like a gemCommon is not available or is not considered mainstream or "fashion", it is highly unlikely to be marketed and the price should be lower. If a gem is an offer very good, as in the latter category, there is not much of the jewelry industry can do to influence prices, unless the tender, that the De Beers cartel can not control the diamond . But so far there is no evidence of a cartel citrine.

So what does all this mean for you? In our view, there are still many good values inpearl market. In the "precious" category of stone, you can still buy beautiful blue sapphires from Madagascar, Africa and Sri Lanka from under $ 200 per carat. The luxury market sapphire have changed with the introduction of the processing of beryllium – prices have declined, and the colors are more dramatic. Tourmaline can be a "new classic" now, but prices are still attractive and the range of available colors and cuts seem to increase tourmaline widensdistribution. Spinel Burmese, with its excellent hardness and clarity, it is still a great buy. The brightness of zircon is hard to equal, unless they buy diamonds. Then there are all the more accessible pieces are available for less than $ 10 per carat – wonderful things like garnet, topaz, amethyst, citrine and fire opal.

Ultimately, it is important that you purchase the stone, it is love and enjoy. But if you're looking for the best values, then look at some ofless-known gems that are not in the market is tough.