Market in brief: The Conference Board reports that its Consumer Confidence Index fell almost seven points in May, to 103.2, from a revised reading of 109.8 in April. Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center, stated, “Apprehension about the short-term outlook for the economy, the labor market, and consumers’ earning potential has driven the expectations index down to levels not seen since the aftermath of the hurricanes.” The decline is no surprise as increasing costs and stagnating income levels cool consumer spending. However, such cycles also create a buyer’s market: Producers know inventories don’t earn profit in the safe.
Market conditions are favorable for buying colored stones. Retailers can obtain advantageous terms on most popular gem products, especially pearls, which remain hot in international gem trade. Production has been declining in many gem categories (expect that to continue), so prices had been firming, but the current economic slowdown has lessened that trend, thus offering buying opportunity for inventory.
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. | $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 | |
| 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. | ||
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $125—$350 | $350—$700 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $180—$425 | $425—$900 |