Red and Hot Purple Tourmaline
Unheated and vividly colored purplish red cuprian tourmalines have gained a special niche and become more of a collector’s stone, while rubellite remains one of the favorite tourmalines in the market.
Market TrendsGem Focus April 2021: Pyrite
Value of pyrite is as diverse as its use. While pyrite crystal specimens or pyritized fossils from famous localities would fetch thousands of dollars, small faceted pieces or beads would be sold in bulk for a few dollars only. Naturally, any custom jewelry piece would be valued based on the design and the designer, not the pyrite itself.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Lab Grown Diamond Price Index – 2nd Quarter 2021 Market Report
As production grows, there are conflicting opinions on the supply and demand of LGDs.
Lab-Grown Diamond Price IndexGem Focus March 2021: Pearls
A lustrous image of a white round object with subtle iridescence is the first thing that comes to mind when the word “pearl” is mentioned. The rare product of oysters from the vast oceans or unassuming mussels of rivers have always mystified human beings. Until pearl culturing was understood and studied over 100 years ago, many civilizations created divine stories about pearls and their origin. Technically, a reject of a bivalve, natural pearls are celebrated as a beautiful gemstone, not only due their rarity but also for their minimum processing for jewelry. Even though, pearl culturing gave access to much more common and affordable products. Iridescence, specifically “orient” for pearls has been one of the most desirable features of a pearl regardless of origin.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Diamond Treatments and Pricing
Determining pricing for treated diamonds can be a great challenge. The focus here is on the history and pricing trends of modern-day diamond treatments. Four are in this group including laser drilling, clarity enhancement, high pressure high temperature (HPHT), and irradiation.
Featured ArticlesDiamond Market
The fall turned out surprisingly well for most in the diamond market. It was definitely a come from behind victory. It had been a very tough year due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 virus. Restrictions imposed early apparently caused a pent-up need to spend on luxury items. The travel industry was the big loser and their loss was our gain.
Diamond MarketUnusual Cuts in Colored Stones
Unusual cuts have proven to be popular lately. Dealers of many different backgrounds added custom cut styles to their selections and enjoying better sales of hexagonal shaped gems.
Market TrendsScapolite – Fluorescence
I first reported on scapolite as a rare stone becoming part of the jewelry landscape back in the September/October 2009 issue (Volume 28, Issue 5). The mineralogical prop- erties are being repeated below for reference. (Ed. Note: subscribers can log in to the website, go to News and Cur- rent Publication, and search on the archives—Scapolite— to find this article in entirety.)
Gem NotesColored Stone Market
No Tucson show does not mean no business. Market is currently benefitting from little competition from outside our sector. The appetite for gemstones is expected to continue to flourish throughout the year. Competition may return next year. The real story in color is outside the big-3.
Colored Stone MarketWhat is USPAP…and why should I Care?
Every assignment provides us with a new opportunity to be a better appraiser. Whether or not you choose to write appraisals in compliance with USPAP, as appraisers, we should share the same desire to act ethically and competently to protect the public’s trust in the profession we love.
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