MARKET IN BRIEF: Dec. 1, 2004… Dealers report shortages in the well-made SI1 or better 2-ct.-plus rounds of the collection colors. Prices continue to firm ahead of the final two weeks of the season. Princess cuts, cushions, and emerald cuts also are doing well, with pears and marquises improved. Over use and abuse of memo is persistent again this season. Margins continue to be very tight for dealers.
In the colored stone market, dealers are reporting that demand remains very strong for natural, unenhanced material. In particular, sapphire and ruby are the two most sought-after varieties in this sector. Prices are firm and supplies tight. Retailers report that Black Friday brought only modest business, with many customers shopping lower-to-moderate price points.
Diamond: ¼-carat round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $1,200 | $1,150 | $975 | $850 |
| H | $1,100 | $1,000 | $925 | $800 |
| I | $1,000 | $950 | $850 | $750 |
| J | $950 | $900 | $800 | $725 |
Diamond: ½-carat 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: ¾-carat 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-Carat round
| VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | |
| G | $5,800 | $5,500 | $4,800 | $4,200 |
| H | $4,900 | $4,800 | $4,400 | $4,000 |
| I | $4,000 | $3,800 | $3,600 | $3,400 |
| J | $3,600 | $3,400 | $3,000 | $2,900 |
Pink topaz
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $100-$300 | $300-$600 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $100-$325 | $325-$650 |
Akoya Pearls (by the strand)
| Fine | Extra-Fine | |
| 18-in. strands, 6 to 6.5 mm | $650-$850 | $1,000-$1,200 |
Red Tourmaline (Rubellite)
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $70-$120 | $80-$120 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $100-$160 | $120-$150 |
Red Spinel
| Good | Fine | |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $150-$400 | $400-$850 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $250-$500 | $500-$1,100 |
Nigerian Spessartite garnet
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $75-$90 | $90-$120 |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $90-$125 | $120-$160 |
Tanzanite
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $175-$325 | $325-$425 |
| 2 to under 5 cts. | $250-$400 | $400-$500 |
Blue Sapphire
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 2 cts. | $125-$420 | $420-$1,250 |
| 2 to under 3 cts. | $275-$630 | $630-$1,750 |
Blue Zircon
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $15-$40 | $40-$60 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $20-$50 | $50-$100 |
Green Tourmaline
| Good | Fine | |
| 1 to under 3 cts. | $30-$60 | $60-$120 |
| 3 to under 5 cts. | $35-$90 | $90-$150 |
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.