Market activity continues to improve on cautious optimism sparked by a successful Tucson Gem show. Retailers buying for inventory remain cautious and unwilling to deviate from price levels that proved reliable during the 2009 holiday season. These are typically under $1,000 or well above it. The $2,000–$4,000 range remains slow for most products with the notable exception of pearls.
Natural colored pearls remain an industry favorite, especially among designers and custom jewelers. The latest freshwater offering is a non-bead-nucleated pearl marketed under the name Soufflé. These are second-harvest products produced after harvesting coin pearls and then re-implanting the pearl sac. After the pearl is harvested it’s drilled and the organic material extracted. The result is a large, thick-walled pearl with a hollow core. The deceptively light weight makes even large pearls comfortable to wear.
Akoya pearls are also attracting interest. Production remains significantly below peak levels, but this year, for the first time in a number of years, beautiful, clean, bright, lustrous akoyas are entering the market. This quality is seldom seen in sizes larger than 7.0 mm and is priced attractively at $2,400 to $3,000 per 18-inch strand wholesale.
In the colored stone market, the continuing influx of lead-glass-stabilized and composite rubies are creating serious concerns. Inadequate disclosure of the enhancement and the special care required for these rubies is putting bench jewelers at risk of damaging the stones by common bench practices.
Diamond: 1/4 ct. round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $1,430 | $1,325 | $1,125 | $1,050 |
| H | $1,300 | $1,190 | $1,050 | $920 |
| I | $1,170 | $1,050 | $950 | $900 |
| J | $1,100 | $1,000 | $900 | $850 |
Diamond: 1/2 ct. round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $2,775 | $2,350 | $1,875 | $1,500 |
| H | $2,400 | $2,050 | $1,725 | $1,425 |
| I | $1,950 | $1,750 | $1,500 | $1,350 |
| J | $1,575 | $1,500 | $1,350 | $1,200 |
Diamond: 1 ct. round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $6,075 | $5,400 | $4,575 | $3,975 |
| H | $5,100 | $4,650 | $4,350 | $3,825 |
| I | $4,125 | $4,000 | $3,800 | $3,600 |
| J | $3,800 | $3,600 | $3,200 | $3,000 |
Diamond: 2 ct. round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $12,300 | $10,900 | $9,400 | $8,100 |
| H | $10,200 | $9,400 | $7,900 | $7,200 |
| I | $8,700 | $8,000 | $7,200 | $6,700 |
| J | $6,800 | $6,300 | $5,900 | $5,500 |
Fancy Pink Diamond: 1 ct. radiant
| VS | SI | I1 |
| $60K–$85K | $45K–$75K | $30K–$43K |
Red Spinel
| Good | Fine | |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $200–$550 | $550–$900 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $300–$650 | $750–$2,500 |
Blue Sapphire
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $150–$425 | $425–$1,350 |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $350–$800 | $800–$2,200 |
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–$55 | $55–$90 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $40–$80 | $80–$175 |
Round Tahitian Black Pearls
| Good | Fine | |
| 8 to 8.5 mm | $30–$60 | $60–$120 |
| 10 to 10.5 mm | $35–$90 | $90–$150 |
Tanzanite
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $175–$300 | $300–$400 |
| 2 to under 5 cts. | $250–$375 | $375–$450 |
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 GemGuide. 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. The GemGuide is published six times a year. A one-year subscription includes market reports and colored stone and diamond prices. For more information, contact Gemworld International Inc., 2640 Patriot Blvd., Suite 240, Glenview, IL 60026; (888) GEMGUIDE or (847) 657-0555, fax (847) 657-0550. U.S., Canada, $205 complete per year. Elsewhere $275 complete per year.