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The Jewelry Hut
Jewelry and gems
The Buying Guide

Colored Gemstones

Buying colored gems

When you go to buy colored gemstones, you will find yourself immersed in color; every hue, every shade of the spectrum.  There has never been a more exciting time to search for a colored gem because there have never been so many alternatives. Whatever color you prefer, and whatever your budget, there is a sparkling natural gem waiting your discovery.
You will see new gems only newly discovered; emerald green garnet (tsavorite), blue and green tanzanite (technically, the green variety should be called green zoisite, since blue zoisite is what we know as tanzanite, “neon” tourmaline from Brazil (Paraiba, also called Hetorite) in blue and shades never seen before.  Sapphires abound in virtually every color, as do tourmaline.  Even diamond can now been seen in a wide variety of natural “fancy” colors (some at very “fancy” prices).
The new colors are exciting, but so are the new cuts; there are unusual shapes in both faceted and cabochon (or non-faceted cuts) cuts, “fancy” and “fantasy” cuts, “sculpted” cuts.
In the following we will present some of the most popular gemstones alternatives, by color, and guide to how they compare in terms of availability and wear-ability.  Then the gems will we discussed individually.

Guides to popular gems

The following charts show what gemstones are available in various colors, as well as their wear-ability, price, and availability.  In coming articles we will describe the gemstones; beginning with “precious” and followed alphabetically by the other popular gems families, and provide important information particular to each.  It should be noted that the terms precious and semi-precious are discouraged today since they can be misleading; rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are only “precious” in rare qualities, and there are many “semi-precious” gemstone today that are rarer and more valuable than so-called “precious” gems.
Cabochon cut gemstones often cost less than faceted gemstones.  Gems used in mass-produced jewelry sold in many jewelry stores (including online stores) are often “commercial” quality and may cost significantly less. Rare gems in exceptionally fine quality and rare gemstones of unusual size can sell for much more. If the price of a gem you are considering is usually high, it is strongly recommended to take extra steps to confirm its exceptional quality prior to purchase; including obtaining a quality grading report from the American Gemological Laboratory.
The guide’s purpose is twofold: to help you understand how prices for different gems in a given color compare with on another; and to demonstrate how significant the price range might be for a given type of stone, so that you will have a clearer understanding of the importance of quality differences.

How to use the following guides

The guides can be especially useful; and help you avoid mistakes, if you follow these steps:

• Decide what color you want in a gem and then make a list of the gems available in that color.  If you want an emerald green gem, for example, and cannot afford emerald itself, you would use the guide to see what other similarly colored emerald green gems are available; tsavorite garnet, chrome tourmaline, or green tourmaline, green sapphire.
• Compare their prices to get a sense of the relative cost of each.  In comparing prices for these green gems, you would immediately see that tsavorite garnet is the most expensive (but still much more affordable than emerald), chrome tourmaline is next in cost, then green tourmaline, and finally, the most affordable, green sapphire.
• Note availability to determine how easy or difficult it might be to locate the particular gem you think you want.  In this example, you would see that of the choices, and might be difficult to find.
• Note the range in price for the gemstones that interest you. The larger the price range in a given gemstone, the more critical any differences in quality becomes.  A wide price variance would indicate that you must be especially careful to spend time comparing and learning about the stone, developing an eye to spot subtle quality differences.
• Read about each gem individually.  Now turn to the next articles (or click on each gems to link) and read about each (or particular gems) of the gems you’re considering individually.  You may find there is something about the stone, its history, mythology, or wear-ability, that makes it an even more interesting choice for you.  Here you will also learn if there is anything special you need to know, to look for or look out for, as you shop.

Now, you are ready to embark o a sparkling search. But always remember: being genuine does not mean a stone is “gem” or that it is “valuable.” A gem must be beautiful and rare, attributes that are related to quality.  The finer the quality, the more beautiful, and the more rare. The quality of an individual stone is what determines whether or not it is a “gem,” and it is the quality that determines its value. The range in price for any colored gemstone is directly related to quality differences; and it can be enormous. Be sure you have read the previous articles carefully, and understand the factor that determine quality before making any decision.
After reading these articles you will know what to ask the jeweler to show you.  But do not forget to a lot shopping and asking questions until you really have developed a feel for that particular stone and its market.

Gems alternatives by its color

Color family Popular name of stone Gem family Red: from red to shades of pink Ruby, red bluish to orange red Garnet, several red color varieties Pyrope, brownish red o red Almandine, violet to pure red Spessartite, orange red to reddish brown to brownish red Rhodolite, red to violet Spinel, red to brownish red and pink Pink sapphire, pinkish red Zircon, brownish red to deep, dark red Sunstone, rich red to orange red Scapolite, light red Rubellite, red to violet red and pink Red beryl, red Morganite, pink to orange pink Kunzite, violet pink to pink violet Rose quartz, pure pink Andalusite, pink to reddish brown Diamond, all shade of pink and red Corundum Garnet Garnet Garnet Garnet Garnet Spinel Corundum Zircon Feldpar Scapolite Tourmaline Beryl Beryl Spodumene Quartz Andalusite Diamond Orange   Padparadshca sapphire, pinkish orange Scapolite, orange Sunstone, rich red to orange red Topaz, brownish orange, yellow orange, pinkish orange Spinel, brown to orange Zircon, orange to golden brown Hessonite, orange brown Malaya, pink orange to brownish red Tourmaline, orangy brown, yellow orange Diamond, various shades including yellow-orange, to brownish orange Corundum Scapolite Feldspar Topaz Spinel Zircon Garnet garnet Tourmaline Dimaond Yellow   Scapolite, yellow Sapphire, yellow Beryl, golden yellow Sphene, green yellow to golden yellow to brown Chrysoberyl, yellow, yellow green, yellow brown Citrine, Yellow to Yellow brown Grossularite, yellow to yellowish green to yellowish brown Zircon, yellow to yellow brown Diamond, all shades Scapolite Corundum Beryl Sphene Chrysoberyl Quartz Garnet Zircon Diamond Green   Emerald, yellowish green to bluish green Tsavorite, yellowish green to bluish green sphene, grass green to yellow green Tourmaline, all shades of green Peridot, yellow green to green Zircon, green to yellow green to gray green Alexandrite, daylight: bluish to bluish green; artificial light: Violet red Sapphire, yellow green to blue green to gray green Scapolite, greenish gray Demantoid, yellow green to green green Tanzanite, blue-green to yellow green to gray green Beryl Garnet Sphene Tourmaline Peridot Zircon Chrysoberl Corundum Scapolite Garnet Diamond Blue   Benitoite, blue to violet blue to gray blue Sapphire, cornflower blue to greenish blue to inky blue Tanzanite, violet blue Spinel, gray blue, greenish blue, true pastel blue Aquamarine, pastel to deep blue to blue green Indicolite, inky blue, greenish blue Paraiba, intense blue to violet blue to green blue Topaz, pastel to dark blue to blue green Zircon, pastel blue Water sapphire, violet blue Benitoite Corundum Zoisite Spinel Beryl Tourmaline Tourmaline Topaz Zircon Iolite Violet   Scapolite, violet blue to greenish blue to bluish gray, lilac to violet Amethyst, lilac to violet to reddish purple to brownish purple Sapphire, purple to violet Rhodolite, red violet Spinel, grayish violet to pure violet Paraiba, violet to blue violet Kunzite, pinkish violet to red violet Scapolite Quartz Corundum Garnet Spinel Tourmaline Spodumene

Guide to popular gems and their approximate prices *

Family Popular name Color (s) Approx. retail cost per Carat *  Brilliance Wear-ability Availability Andalusite   Poor man’s alexandrite   Changes color from grayish green to reddish brown, emerald green to bright yellow 1 - 5 CT: $50 -$300 5 - 10 CT: $100 - $400   Good   Good   Large: Scarce Smaller: Fair   Beryl (1)   Aquamarine   Golden beryl (heliodor)   Emerald   Morganite   Pastel blue to medium deep blue   Yellow;  brownish yellow   Yellow green to blue green   Pink to orange pink   1 t- 5 CT: $50 -$850 1 t- 5 CT: $50 -$850 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $125 5 - 10 CT: $75 - $200 10 - 20 CT: $100 - $500 1/2 - 1 CT: $1000 - $10,000 1 - 2 CT: $2000 - $18,000 1 - 5 CT: $75 - $200 5 - 10 CT: $200 - $800 Good   Good   Fair to Good   Good   Good   Good   Fair to Good   Good   Good   Good   Very fine Colombian: Rare Others: Good Fine: rare Medium: Good Chrysoberyl   Alexandrite   Chrysoberyl   Precious Cat’s eye   Changes from greenish in daylight to reddish in incandescent light Yellow to yellow brown to yellow green   Greenish to brownish yellow with eye effect 1/2 - 1 CT: $2,000 - $13,000 1 - 2 CT: $3,000 - $18,000 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $150 5 - 10 CT: $75 - $300 1 - 3 CT: $600 - $3,600 3 - 5 CT: $1,200 - $5,000 Good   Good   Negligible   Excellent   Excellent   Excellent   Large: Scarce Small: Fair Fair   Fair to Good   Corundum   Ruby (2)   Blue sapphire (2)   Colorless sapphire   Green sapphire   Pink sapphire   Yellow sapphire   Red to bluish or purplish red to yellow red   Bright blue to inky blue   White (colorless)   Clear green to brownish or bluish green   Light to very dark pink (almost red   Yellow (most are heat treated; natural yellow usually less brilliant) 1/2 - 1 CT: $1,100 - $10,000 1 - 2 CT: $2,200 - $20,000   1/2 - 1 CT: $250 - $3,000 1 - 2 CT: $500 - $10,000   less than 1 CT: $25 -$50 1 - 1.5 CT: $50- $100 1 - 3 CT: $50 - $200 3 - 5 CT: $100 - $225 1 - 2 CT: $600 - $4,500 2 - 3 CT: $800 - $6,000 1 - 5 CT: $125 - $850 10 - 20 CT: $700 - $2,500   Fair to Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Excellent   Excellent   Very Good   Excellent   Excellent   Excellent   Burmese: Rare Thai: Good Kenya: Fair Ceylon: Good Cambodia: Fair Vietnam: Fair Kashmir: Scarce Burmese: Scarce Thai: Good Australian: Good Good in sizes less than 1 CT Large: Scarce Others: Fair Fair   Good   Garnet   Almandine (common garnet)   Demantoid   Grossularite   Malaya   Pyrope (common garnet) Rhodolite   Spessartite   Tsavorite   Violet to pure red   Yellwo green to emerald green   Yellowish to yellowish green to yellowish brown Pink orange to brownish red   Yellowish red to dark red   Red violet   Brownish orange to reddish brown to brownish red Yellowish green to bluish green   1 - 3 CT: $10 - $50 3 - 5 CT: $25 - $50 5 - 20 CT: $50 -$100 1 - 2 CT: $800 - $8,000 2 - 3 CT: $2,000 - $12,000 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $150 5 - 10 CT: $125 - $350 1 - 5 CT: $85 - $400 5 - 10 CT: $250 - $500 1 - 5 CT: $10 - $75 5 - 10 CT: $25 - $100 1 - 5 CT: $25 - $225 5 - 10 CT: $75 - $450 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $600 5 - 10 CT: $75 - $800 1 - 2 CT: $600 - $2,500 2 - 3 CT: $1,000 - 3,600 Fair to Good   Very Good   Fair to Good   Good   Fair to Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Poor   Good   Good   Good   Good   Fair   Over 5 CT: Scarce Other sizes: Fair to Good Iolite   Water sapphire   Violet blue to gray blue   1 - 5 CT: $25 - $125 5 - 10 CT: $60 - $350 Good   Fair   Good   Pearls (3) (cultured)   Round (4)   South sea (round)   Baroque   Freshwater   Black/Gray (round Tahitian)   Silver, silver white, pink white, white, cream   Silver, silver white, pink white, white, cream   White to creamy white   All colors   deep gray to black (Not dyed)   16” - 18” strands 6-6.5 mm: $500 - $1,750 7-7.5 mm: $650 - $3,200 8-8.5 mm: $1,600 - $9,000 9-9.5 mm: $4,500 - $20000, Prices per Pearl (5) 11-12 mm: $1,600 - $6,6600 12-13 mm: $2,200 - $7,500 14-15 mm: $5,000 - $12,000 16+ mm: $10,000 - $24,000 16” - 18” strands 7.5-8 mm: $400 - $1,200 8.5-9 mm: $500 - 1,600 16” - 18” strands 3-4 mm: $8 - $15 4-5 mm: $15 - $30 6-7 mm: $25 - $75 Prices per pearl (5) 8.5-9 mm: $500 - $1,200 10-10.5 mm: $1,100 - $2,500 11.5-12 mm: 43,500 - $6,000 Not Applicable   Not Applicable   Not Applicable   Not Applicable   Not Applicable   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Gem quality over 8 mm: Rare Others: good   Gem quality: Very rare Fine quality over 16 mm: Rare Others: Fair-good   Good   Good   Small sizes: Fair Large sizes: Rare   Peridot   Peridot   Yellow green to deep green to rich chartreuse   1 - 5 CT: $30 - $175 5 -10 CT: $85 - $300 10 - 20 CT: $100 - $650 Fair to Good   Fair, will scratch easily   Large: Scarce Smaller: Plentiful   Quartz   Amethyst   Citrine   Rose quartz   Smoky   Purple, reddish purple to brownish purple   Yellow to yellow brown   Pure pink   Brown shades   1 - 5 CT: $10 - $75 5 - 10 CT: $10 - $85 10 - 20 CT: $15- $100 1- 5 CT: $10 - $50 5 - 25 CT: $25 - $75 Prices per stone Most sizes: $2 - $15 Prices per stone Most sizes: $2 - $15 Fair to Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Very Good   Good   Good   Very Good   Spinel   Red spinel   Pink spinel   Blue spinel   Red to brownish red   Lively or bright pink to brown pink   Medium gray blue to deep deep blue to violet 1 - 3 CT: $200 - $2,800 3 - 5 CT: $400 - $3,900 1- 3 CT: $100 - $1,500 3- 5 CT: $150 - $1,800 1- 3 CT: $60 - $1,000 3- 5 CT: $100 - $1,200 Very Good   Very Good   Good   Very Good   Very Good   Very Good   Ruby red: Scarce Others: good Fair   Good   spodumene   Kunzite   Lilac, violet, pink   1 - 5 CT: $10 - $120 5 -20 CT: $35 - $175 Good   Poor for rings   Good   Topaz   Blue topaz   Pink topaz   Imperial   Yellow topaz   Blue   Pink (red also available, but very rare and much more expensive Golden with pinkish/reddish overtone   Yellow /golden (no pink/red overtone)   1 - 5 CT: $6 - $35 5 - 20 CT: $10 - $40 1 - 3 CT: $125 - $850 3 - 5 CT: $175 - $950 1 - 3 CT: $100 - $800 3 - 5 CT: $150 - $900 1 - 5 CT: $75 - $400 5 - 20 CT: $150 - $550 Good   Good   Good   Good   Fair   Fair   Fair   Good   Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good except in very large sizes Good   Tourmaline   Chrome   Indicolite   paraiba   Pink   Rubellite   Verdelite   Bicolor & tricolor   Deep green   Inky blue to green   Wide range of “neon” blue, green, blue green and purplish Pink or rose   Red to violet   Green, all shades except chrome tourmaline   Yellow, orange, and brown varieties Red/black, red/green, red/green/colorless   1 - 3 CT: $150 - $1,400 3 - 5 CT: $300 - $1,600 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $1,000 5 - 10 CT: $150 - $1,200 Less than 1 CT: $300 - $1,000 1 - 3 CT: $750 - $12,500 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $450 5 - 10 CT: $120 - 650 1 - 3 CT: $150 - $1,400 3 - 5 CT: $300 - $1,600 1 - 3 CT: $40 - $240 3 - 5 CT: $50 - $320 5 - 20 CT: $100 - $500 1- 5 CT: $50 - $400 1 - 5 CT: $50 - $400 5 - 10 CT: $100 - $600 Good   Good   Excellent   Good   Good   Good   Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Fair to Good   Scarce   Good   Under 1 CT: Fair Over 1 CT in fine quality: Scarce Good   Good   Good   Good   Zircon   Zircon   pastel blue (usually heat treated)   Green to yellow green   Colorless (usually heat treated)   Orange to golde brown   Red to brwonish red   Yellow to yellow brown   1 - 5 CT: $50 - $450 5 - 10 CT: $100 - $700 1 - 5 CT: $30 - $200 5 - 10 CT: $80 - $300 Comparable to green   Comparable to green   Prices unknown (Rare)   Comparable to green   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Good   Fair, not recommended for rings Fair, not recommended for rings Fair, not recommended for rings Fair, not recommended for rings Fair, not recommended for rings Fair, not recommended for rings Large: Scarce   Good   Good   Good   True red: Scarce Other red: Good Good   Zoisite   Tanzanite   Green   Strong blue to weak violet, blue violet   Blue green to gray green   1 - 3 CT: $240 - $680 3 - 5 CT: $400 -$1,040 5 - 20 CT: $440 - $1,600 1 - 3 CT: $200 - $1,000   Good   Good   Poor for rings   Good   Good   Small: Fair Large: Scarce

*  Prices are based on market (supplies and demand) and are subject to change, and adjusted to retail base.
(1)  Beryl also comes in red, green (different form emerald green)< lilac, salmon, and orange. Most are still not easily available, but some, such as the lovely orange variety can be found for under $100 per carat and offer excellent value.
(2)  Cabochon cut rubies, sapphires, and emeralds usually cost much less; finest gems can cost much more.
(3)  Natural pearls are very rare much more expensive than cultured. Pricing information is insufficient to provide guidelines.
(4)  3/4 round pearls are very rare which may appear to be fully round, sell for approximately 50% less than full round pearls.
(5)  Un-drilled. Drilled pearls (such as those mounted on “posts”) sell for much less than un-drilled pearls.

Opal Price guide *

There are numerous varieties of opals and wide ranges in quality.  Quality differences are often difficult for the amateur to distinguish, but may significantly affect prices. The following prices provide only a guide, and is subject change due the market.

White base, gray base, and jelly opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine 1 - 7 CT $8 - 16 $16 - 50 $50 - 150 $150 - 350 7 - 15 CT $16 - 50 $50 - 100 $100 - 220 $220 - 350 Boulder opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine Small 1 - 5 CT $20 & up $100 - 1,800 $1,800 - 5,000 $5,000 - 10,000 Medium 5 - 10 CT $20 & up $900 - 2,200 $2,200 - 11,000 $11,000 - 20,000 Large 10 -15 CT $20 & up $1,200 - 4,000 $4,000 - 15,000 $15,000 - 50,000 Very Large over 15 CT $20 & up $2,000 - 6,000 $6,000 - 20,000 $20,000 - 80,000 Black opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine 1 - 5 CT $100 & up $300 -1,400 $1,400 - 8,000 $8,000 - 20,000 5 - 10 CT $100 & up $300 - 1,400 $1,400 - 8,000 $8,000 - 20,000 10 - 15 CT $100 & up $300 - 1,400 $1,400 - 6,400 $6,400 - 16,000 Semi-black and Crystal opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine Small 1 - 5 CT $70 & up $300 - 1,200 $1,200 - 3,000 $3,000 - 5,000 Medium 5 - 10 CT $70 & up $300 - 1,200 $1,200 - 4,000 $4,000 - 7,000 Large 10 -15 CT $70 & up $300 - 1,200 $1,200 - 3,600 $3,600 - 6,400 Crystal opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine 1 - 5CT $70 & up $150 -500 $500 - 1,000 $1,000 - 2,000 5 - 10 CT $70 & up $150 -500 $500 - 1,000 $1,000 - 2,400 10 -15 CT $70 & up $150 -500 $500 - 1,000 $1,000 - 2,000 Semi-crystal opal   Commerical Good Fine Exrta Fine 1 - 5 CT $30 & up $70 - 250 $250 - 500 $500 - 1,200 5 - 10 CT $30 & up $70 - 250 $250 - 500 $500 - 1,200 10 -15 CT $30 & up $70 - 250 $250 - 500 $500 - 1,200

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