Sapphire prices by weight

[flynndownunder]

In looking for a sapphire for an e-ring, I''ve found a beautiful, cornflower-blue 1.8 carat sapphire, round cut. Jeweler''s asking price is around $4000, which seems very high. But, then again, it is a very ideal "blue" and cut well.

What are reasonable costs per carat for sapphires? Also, how much should I expect to be able to bargain-down a jeweler''s sticker/asking price?

Thank you for your insight!

 

[neatfreak]

It totally, totally depends. $4000/carat is perfectly within reason for a really gorgeous blue sapphire. But then again, you could be totally getting ripped off if the vendor is simply describing it as cornflower, but it isn't really cornflower. See what I am saying? My sapphire was only about 1/8 of that price, and while it is no cornflower, it is a gorgeous blue IMO. You really just need to decide if you are comfortable with the price after viewing many many stones from many places, in many colors. Try the Natural Sapphire Company's website to get an idea of fair prices for a wide variety of sapphires and try to match the price per carat closely to your stone's color and carat weight (of course only applies if the sapphire you are looking at is natural).

Can you get it independently appraised before purchase by someone who knows what they are doing (i.e., maybe send it to Richard Sherwood in Florida, he knows his colored gems)?

 

[Pandora II]

Coloured stones are not like diamonds.

There isn't a list of specs that make up a certain price per carat.

Colour is king with coloured stones. If your chosen colour happens to be one that a lot of other people happen to think is their ideal colour you are going to pay a lot of $$$$$

If you like the purpley blues (my favourites) they will cost less.

However, again this is subject to other variables. A fine purple/blue stone with great clarity and cut is going to cost more than a poorly cut, super-included 'premium' blue stone.

This stone from NSC is 4ct and costs $24,180 - so around $6k per carat

 

[Pandora II]

This is an amazing 3.30ct kashmir

 

[Pandora II]

Another shot of the same stone:

It can be yours for $36k per carat - so just under $120k

 

[Pandora II]

This is not to say that you can't get fabulous stones for a lot less, but it does show that you can have two stones that don't look a million miles from each other and yet a $30k per carat price difference.

The second stone commands a premium for being a kashmir.

Top quality coloured stones can easily outstrip similar sized white diamonds (red diamonds are the most expensive of all IIRC)

The best way to check you are paying the right price is to look at as many stones as possible so you can see the differences that make up the price. Buy the one you love if you also like the price. Get a good appraisal.

Coloured stones are more difficult to appraise than diamonds, so try and find someone with experience in them.

I'm sure lots of PSers will remember Timmy's gorgeous ruby and the appraisal problems.

ETA:

On the discount side, I can't really help - so far I have bought from people I trust to charge me a fair price and so I don't ask for discounts.

 

[bar01]

Date: 4/7/2008 5:35:45 PM
Author: Pandora II
Coloured stones are not like diamonds.


There isn''t a list of specs that make up a certain price per carat.

Well, no industry wide standard, but there are a number of grading and pricing guides out there including "The Guide"

Article

 

[diamondseeker2006]

All I know is that shopping for a great blue sapphire is extremely difficult unless you have unlimited money!!! Fortunately, I do love many colors of blue sapphires and do not have to have the Kashmir color. But it is very hard to find one with great cut, color, and clarity. Neatfreak was VERY lucky!

 

[chrono]

Pricing depends on many variables:
Carat weight (different from dimensions of the cut stone)
Colour (tone, hue and saturation)
Clarity (but to a lesser degree than diamonds but still important)
Cut (also to a lesser degree than diamonds but still important)
Treatment

Has the sapphire been heat treated?
How is the cut and polish of the sapphire?
How saturated is the blue?
How is the tone (light, medium, dark)?
How pure is the hue?

All these affect the asking price. Neatfreak's sapphire is significantly less because the hue is light and there is a slight gray undertone. That said, there is a sapphire for every budget. It depends on what you want and your budget. An unheated sapphire will also cost more. The stones Pandora posted are what the trade considers ideal, which of course, costs an arm and a leg.

 

[Selkie]

Date: 4/7/2008 5:38:16 PM
Author: Pandora II
This is an amazing 3.30ct kashmir

My god, that''s incredible. Where is that photo from?

 

[Kneeling08]

My god, that''s incredible. Where is that photo from?

Likely from palagems. Here''s the link. I was eyeing it until I found out it would cost more than the one soul I have.

 

[Pandora II]

Just wanted to add that you can get beautiful stones for a LOT less than the ones I posted, but I thought it was a useful way of demonstrating the considerable price difference that can be seen between two stones both of which would be considered extremely fine due to slight variables.

The GemEWizard Bertrand linked to is great - I found a free copy somewhere and have lots of fun playing with it.