Market in brief:April 5, 2006… The diamond market has shortages of well-made goods of 3.00+ cts. in the collection colors, but dealers report strong resistance to higher prices. Rounds lead demand, cushions and princess cuts are strong, and demand for pears and marquises is level. The popularity of well-made cushions has pushed prices close to rounds’.
In colored stones, labs are intensifying investigations into the presence of beryllium in some blue sapphires. It was thought to be the result of beryllium contamination of furnaces used to treat pink and orange sapphires, but the American Gem Trade Association Gem Testing Center has reported high enough beryllium levels in some material to cast doubt on that. AGTA GTC advisor John Emmett has shown that beryllium diffusion can lighten overly dark blue sapphire. Beryllium diffusion of blue sapphire, if not disclosed, could significantly affect supply and demand and consumer trust. AGTA GTC recently announced that all corundum showing signs of long-term high-temperature heat treatment will require advanced testing before beryllium diffusion can be ruled out.
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 ct. round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $1,300 | $1,200 | $1,100 | $950 |
| H | $1,150 | $1,050 | $1,000 | $900 |
| I | $1,100 | $1,000 | $900 | $850 |
| J | $1,000 | $950 | $850 | $800 |
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: 3/4 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 | $6,500 | $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 |
FANCY PINK DIAMOND, 1ct radiant
| VS | SI | I1 |
| $60K–$85K | $45K–$75K | $30K–$43K |
RED SPINEL
| Good | Fine | |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $150–$450 | $450–$900 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $350–$700 | $700–$1,500 |
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 to 8.5 mm | $30–$60 | $60–$120 |
| 10 to 10.5 mm | $35–$90 | $90–$150 |
PINK TOPAZ
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $125–$350 | $350–$700 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $180–$425 | $425–$900 |