Gemstones Buying Guide Series No.3

Gemstones Buying Guide Series No.3

Published only on Monday’s.  Extracted from Gemstone Buying Guide by Renee Newman GG

Colored Gem Price Factors :

Following factors can affect the prices of coloured gemstones:

-          Color

-          Clarity

-          Transparency

-          Shape

-          Cutting Style

-          Cut Quality

-          Carat Weight or stone size

-          Treatment status

-          Place of Origin

-          Distinctness of phenomena 

Cutting Style is the way in which a stone is cut or faceted.  Cabochons (unfaceted domeshaped stones) and unfaceted beads are generally priced lower then faceted stones because they cost less to cut then faceted styles.  Another reason cabochons are usually priced less is that they’re often made of lower quality material that is unsuitable for faceting.  Cabochon stones can also be of high quality, especially those found in antique jewellery.

Designer and trademarked cutting styles often sell for more then generic  cuts of the same shape. The percentage impact tends to be the greatest for lower priced stones such as amethyst and blue topaz.  A S$20 well-cut standard oval blue topaz might sell for $100 if it had a unique faceting style or carved image created by a renowned cutter. 

Cut Quality refers to the proportions and finish, also called make.  This is a crucial factor because it affects the brilliance and color of  gems, but its importance is not always reflected in the price of colored gems.  2 of the main considerations of cut quality are:

1.       Do u see all across the stone when you look at it face up? Well cut stones do not have a large black areas nor do they have an obvious window – a pale, washed out area in the middle of stones that allows you to see right through them.  In general, the larger the window, the poorer  the cut.  Even color throughout the stone indicates good cut quality.

2.       Are you paying for excess weight? Suppose yo have 2 stones with the same face-up size that are priced by carat weight,  One is well cut and one has an overly deep and fat bottom and weighs twice as much.   The overly deep stone would cost twice as much even though it has same face-up size.  In addition, it may be impractical for mounting and appear overly dark.

Keep in mind, however that coloured gems with good brilliance and color must often be cut deeper then diamonds.  If colored stones are cut too shallow, they will have a window.