How much would a top of the range or very good emerald cost?

[pyramid]

How much wood a top of the range or a very good nice emerald cut emerald cost about 1.15 carat in size.

 

[katbadness]

I have heard that something of that size may fetch $3000 per carat (or more). I don't know the exact number though. I'm hoping somebody who knows better will chime in and give more definitive answer.

However, have a look at the pricing from this place.
These guys are emerald dealers, and the pieces they show online are quite nice. Unfortunately, they're already set, but hopefully if you know the pricing for diamonds and gold/platinum you can deduce backwards how much the emerald piece is costing.

 

[katbadness]

More information...

I don't know how definitive this answer is, but this is what I could find on a quick search.

Precious Gemstone's site has an average price list for differing emerald grades. The grading used is the AGL colored grading system.

They also track hisforical price performance for various gems (1975-2003).

Reading their graph, it looks like a 1 ct emerald of 3.5/75 tone can fetch $7500?

WOW!

 

[katbadness]

Esmerald's site seems to have a few items on their online inventory. Not enough information to be able to gauge how much a top of the range would cost though.

And...

Cherrypicked site has quite a few emeralds on their inventory online. Unfortunately, most of them are sold as you can see.

 

[valeria101]

25k-27k a carat.

...that's the max I know of.

It is more likely to be presented with about 10k / carat, as long as you don't join the ranks of gem collectors.

 

[katbadness]

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On 5/13/2004 10:35:06 AM valeria101 wrote:


It is more likely to be presented with about 10k / carat, as long as you don't join the ranks of gem collectors.
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Why does being a gem collector make a difference?

 

[valeria101]

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On 5/13/2004 10:46:14 AM katbadness wrote:

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On 5/13/2004 10:35:06 AM valeria101 wrote:

Why does being a gem collector make a difference?

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Hm... 'cause these people factor in extra quality criteria that have little to do with the look of the stone: such as complete lack of enhancement (for emeralds one can see comments on the degree of enhancement on the cert, "none" is not common), provenance (regardless of look, Madagascar emeralds will not get the same attention as Colombian ones, just because of pedigree...), not to mention barely-there color and overtone details... You get the picture. Probably enhancement is the strongest factor of these.

Same - or sort of same - story with the IF/FL daimond greade which certified "rarity" not visual effects.

Besides, these would be people who definitely do not care much for the respective sum, so why not ask

? There is definitely something non-rational about the whole story. It is unusual to find stones this small getting "collection quality" acclaim - but it happens.

 

[pyramid]

Thank you katbadness for the links and also valeria101.

I think I will need to look for price ranges for a medium quality stone. I suppose those top of the range ones are flawless emeralds. I thought there was no such think except in created emeralds.

 

[katbadness]

Since an emerald is a Type III stone, I'd think a flawless emerald is *very* far and few between.

I also think that we may have to understand what you mean when you said 'top of the line'. Because I know for a fact that Precious Gemstones site is catered more towards gem collectors.

Hmmm.... interesting subject... I'm definitely curious enough to try to do my own research on it..

 

[valeria101]

Type III flawless... simply means "eye clean" (ref LINK below). Not that the item does not exist, even large stones... but no, they are not very often on offer or on demand for that matter.



PS:
Links for colored gems clarity grades... (suggestions welcome);

GIA's "Insider Gemologist": How Do I Grade Colored Stones for Clarity?

You may find some "translation" of IF-SI3 diamond clarity grades for colored stones, like THIS

If one wants to take this seriously, than GIA is not the first choice for colored gem certification. I suppose AGTA is... and can't find a good account of their grading criteria online asap

 

[CaptAubrey]

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On 5/13/2004 11:41:01 AM pyramid wrote:





I suppose those top of the range ones are flawless emeralds. I thought there was no such think except in created emeralds.

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they exist; they're just extremely rare (and extremely expensive), especially in larger sizes.

 

[valeria101]

Just curious, does any lab recognize "Flawless" as a colored gem clarity grade?

I keep hearing the word, but do not know of any standard...

 

[CaptAubrey]

not that i know of. i was just speaking in general terms. i have never seen a "flawless" emerald, but i have seen descriptions of a few.

 

[GLudlow]

I was searching for around 1 carat emeralds for about 5 months. I'll tell you what I learned.

An emerald under $2k/carat is going to have significant inclusions. This means the stone might look "shattered" in a way that duls out the stone. The emerald probably won't even be see-through. If they are clear, they will be a washed out aquamarine, light blue/green that doesn't look like an emerald.

When you step up to $3k/carat, you get into the nice jewelry quality (IMHO) emeralds. This level of stone is almost always crystal quality, although they will *all* have noticeable eye inclusions. No feathers should go completely through the stone, and they should be of reasonable strength. The green in this level of stones varies, but should be well saturated and deep, although not neccesarily dark.

If you want an eye clean or truly beautiful emerald-green emeralds, the price goes up quickly. I've seen stones in the $5k/carat range that don't "look" a lot different from $3k/carat ones. Mostly at this level you're talking the diamond equivalent of I1 and vs2, but the price for emerald goes up dramatically. These are the "collector" emeralds.

Keep in mind that you won't find a good looking emerald under $5k/carat that is completely untreated. Treatment with oils is practically universal, and treatment with epoxys (opticon, permasafe, etc) is also pretty well practiced. The problem with these treatments is mostly that they leech out and some turn colors (oils tend to turn brownish with time) so the stones won't look as nice as you bought them in a few years. They can be cleaned and re-treated, though.

So there's my $.02.

 

[valeria101]

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On 5/13/2004 3:45:30 PM GLudlow wrote:



I've seen stones in the $5k/carat range that don't 'look' a lot different from $3k/carat ones. Mostly at this level you're talking the diamond equivalent of I1 and vs2, but the price for emerald goes up dramatically. These are the 'collector' emeralds.

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Right. This is indeed the shoppng scenario. It was my fault to interpret the title of this thread for what it is not... Exaggerations exist in every possible domain, but 3-5k/ct is indeed the price to look for the type of stones that are to be seen in high end jewelry (for example) - definitely "very good" quality. What was I thinking?

Example? round emerald, 1.6 carats, good bluish gree color and eye clean with the usual silicon help - $7500. No complaint on quality form this (bad) girl

And no, I definitely do not subscribe to whatever reason may drive prices three times this much for something no one gets to see. I just thought the question was "how much is the most"... regardless of wether it does make sense or not!

 

[GLudlow]

Yup. And be VERY careful shopping for emeralds... my local jeweler showed me some very poor stones for very inflated prices. I shopped around and got some stones off a jeweler I contected via the internet.

The stone I ended up buying was actually appraised at under $3k/carat, mostly because of the nick in the girdle (see my previous post). This is a natural feature of the stone, and I have a nick in my ear, so it adds sentimental value (emerald is for an engagement ring). So I saved probably $500/carat or more because the rest of the stone is very, very clear and it's a bright, sparkling Colombian green.

Of course I was looking for oval cut emeralds, which are a major pain to shop for

 

[MJO]

Hello,

I know I am coming in late on this thread but I just joined the group. Good Columbian emeralds are the most expensive but Afghan emeralds are the brightest and have less flaws. They also seem to have a slightly higher refractive index than emeralds from other locations so they have more sparkle. I have see a AGL 3.5 color 4+ct unenhanced stone for $35,000/ct. I own a a 3.5ct AGL certified 3.5 color Afghan emerald faintly enhanced with excell that is unbelievably beautiful. 4cts seems to be the magic barrier for a big jump in emerald prices (That''s why I bought one under 4cts).


I believe these stones with enhancement in a 1ct range are about $3000-$5000/ct

 

[Richard Sherwood]

at price ranges (intended as a guide only) -

$7,000 to $10,000 - exceptional color, VS-SI1 clarity


$3,500 to $7,000 - very good color, VS-SI1 clarity


$1,700 to $3,500 - good color, VS-SI1 clarity


$800 to $1,700 - fair color, VS-SI1 clarity


$300 to $800 - below average color, VS-SI1 clarity


$100 to $300 - promotional quality


Figure about 30 to 50% more for VVS qualities, with the higher percentages going along with the finer colors. Super fine gems command their own niche price categories, which are established by connoiseur buyers purchasing from knowledgeable connoiseur sellers.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/7/2004 12:40:13 AM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Approximate 1 carat price ranges (intended as a guide only) -




Figure about 20 to 50% more for VVS qualities, with the higher prices going along with finer colors. Super fine gems command their own niche categories.

This is for normal clarity enhancement (= no special note on the potential cert for minor clarity enhancement or none...)... and the definitions of clarity grades for Type III. Right ?

Just trying to determine if my jeweler indeed thinks I am mad

 

[MJO]

Hello Richard,

Thanks for your reply. Is that for afghan or columbian stones? I know Columbian stone have quite a premium over other other origins (even though I like the afghan stones better).

 

[Richard Sherwood]

; --------------

This is for normal clarity enhancement (= no special note on the potential cert for minor clarity enhancement or none...)...

and the definitions of clarity grades for Type III. Right ?

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Normal clarity enhancement would usually be categorized as follows (a guide only):


VVS: no clarity enhancement evident

VS : minor clarity enhancement evident

SI : moderate clarity enhancement evident

I : noticeable clarity enhancement evident

 

[MJO]

Hello Richard,

My stone has an AGL cert. It is a 3.5ct Afghan Emerald, 3-4 color, 60 tone, 80% brilliance, clarity LI1 with "faint" enhancement with excel.

 

[MJO]

Hello Richard,

Sorry, I see you were answering someone elses questions in your last post.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

; --------------

Is that for afghan or columbian stones? I know Columbian stone have quite a premium over other other origins (even

though I like the afghan stones better).

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The prices quoted are for Colombian emeralds predominantly. Very fine emeralds from other locations will sometimes rival Colombians in price, with lower qualities from other countries generally going for less than quoted.


The Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan produces some very fine emeralds which come close to rivaling fine Colombian stones. These will usually trail closely behind Colombian prices, with the lower qualities having a larger gap.


The Colombian name has been in existence for 400 years, while the Afghan name is relatively recent (past 25 years). The political situation in Afghanistan has made it difficult for a consistent presence on the market, so the "big" gemstone buyers don''t tend to frequent that market as much as the fine Colombian and African markets.


I am an admirer of fine Afghan emeralds, but have yet to see one which (in my opinion) matches the finest Colombian stones coming out of the famed Muzo or Chivor mines. Close, but not quite. They seem to be more in the league of fine Zambian stones out of Africa.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

; --------------

My stone has an AGL cert. It is a 3.5ct Afghan Emerald, 3-4 color, 60 tone, 80% brilliance, clarity LI1 with "faint"

enhancement with excel.

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Sounds like a verrrrrrrrry nice, bright, clean stone, MJO. A beauty, I''ll bet. I''d love to see a picture of it.

 

[MJO]

Richard,

I will get it back and get a picture. I lend out some of my stones to put on display at some jewelers I know. I like to to that so others can see what really nice stones look like and can appreciate their beauty. I don''t like to leave them locked up in a safety deposit box where no one can see them.


BTW do you test for copper in tourmaline at your lab?

 

[widget]

I thought Colombian emeralds command higher prices because Colombia is the more "fashionable" country of origin, but Richard''s quote indicates I''m wrong:

"...I...have yet to see [a fine afghan emerald] that matches the finest Colombian stones..."

Exactly what is it that makes Colombians superior to other fine emeralds? Can someone post pictures?

Also, is it fair to assume that the less included an emerald is, the more resistant it is to breakage?

Thanks!
widget

 

[MJO]

Columbia has been the source of top emerald for hundreds of years. It's pedegree and nothing more. You are right Top Afghan Emerald is much nicer than most new Columbian emeralds.

 

[Lemeiux]

Date: 5/13/2004 9:00:27 AM
Author:Pyramid
How much wood a top of the range or a very good nice emerald cut emerald cost about 1.15 carat in size.

How much is a good 1.15 emerald?


I have a 5 carat emerald ring..or rather I gave it to a member of the oposite gender, as in significant other. She loves it... Estate Style with 1/4 carat diamond on each side. It is not oiled and not heat treated. It can be oiled later, but why? The apprasial is for $25,000.
I doubt I will ever have that kind of disposible cash again. But, it is beautiful.
I feel that it was worth it, as she loves the ring, not the value. Emeralds are Her stone.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/15/2005 5:15:04 AM
Author: Lemeiux


I have a 5 carat emerald ring..or rather I gave it to a member of the opposite gender, as in significant other. She loves it... Estate Style with 1/4 carat diamond on each side. It is not oiled and not heat treated. It can be oiled later, but why? The appraisal is for $25,000.

I doubt I will ever have that kind of disposable cash again. But, it is beautiful.
I feel that it was worth it, as she loves the ring, not the value. Emeralds are Her stone.

Emeralds are never heated... but anyway... Wow! It would be a magnificent gift.

Any chance you might have an electronic picture for fun ?