Market in brief: The colored stone market continued to strengthen during late summer, but sales activity is concentrated at the low and high ends, while the middle is flat. Buying patterns have remained largely unchanged. Dealers report strong demand for fine-quality, unenhanced ruby and sapphire. The emphasis on unenhanced gemstones has generated a healthy market for garnets. In particular, tsavorite and orange spessartite have benefited. Cuprian tourmaline, emerald, tanzanite, and spinel are among the other gemstones expected to benefit from trade media exposure this year. But experts predict pearls will be the standout. Initial buying trends suggest that a broad range of gem materials should sell fairly well this season. As a result we expect to see the jewelry sector garner a larger percentage of luxury spending.
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: 1 ct. 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. | $400–$850 | $850–$1,800 |
Blue Sapphire
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $125–$420 | $420–$1,250 |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $325–$750 | $750–$2,000 |
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–$450 | $400–$525 |
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 |
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.