Tourmaline Pricing?

[Eli22]

Hello!

I recently purchased some tourmaline studs (shown in the earring jackets below).


I'm looking on the web, and it seems that tourmaline pricing is all over the place (I'm leaving Paraiba out of my searches ). Some are selling for $100/carat and others up to $1000/carat.

Why the huge price swings?

Also, I saw a listing for stones that were pretty similar - from color (mine have less yellow/more blue), to cut, to even the DSEF report - is this the typical price point for these gems?
https://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/pair_untreated_mint_tourmalines_2_71/5252/18727

Thanks in advance!

 

[T L]

Gem dealers can charge whatever they want per carat. There is no law saying that a particular quality, gem species, color, etc. . . has to be around a specific price per carat. That's why forums like this are important to the consumer because often, prices are all over the place. Diamonds are a bit more easy to evaluate pricing because guides exist, and one can easily comparison shop, but colored gems are a whole other ball of wax.

I don't think those tourmaline are exceptional color, but they're standard green tourmaline, maybe with some chrome, but they shouldn't be outrageously priced. They look actually kind of dark, even with a bright light on them. Yes, Paraiba is much more expensive, but even some low quality Paraiba is overpriced due to the hype.

I would also ignore appraisals for the most part. Many are unrealistic and overvalue the gems by a huge margin, and they're primarily used for insurance purposes. In most cases, you would never ever be able to resell a gem for what it's appraised for. I only take appraisals seriously for very rare and valuable gems, like a rare pink diamond, for example, or a famous celebrity's gem with a provenance.

 

[theredspinel]

Put it this way. If an appraisal was actually worth anything - the person showing you the appraise would be *selling it* for that price.. themselves!!

 

[qubitasaurus]

No sorry the wildfish gems stones look overinflated in price. This one
https://sedagems.com/shop/tourmaline/2-03-cts-vvs-green-kenyan-tourmaline-stunning/
Isn't exactly the same but it is closer to what I would expect the stones to cost. Probably a large component of the earings is the setting and the diamonds. so it may not be worthwhile trying to ascribe the price to the tourmalines.

 

[T L]

I also wouldn't call those mint tourmaline, which is typically a light bluish green shade that is highly coveted. They're more of a forest or bottle green, although all these metaphors and color descriptors are often loosely used.

This is a highly coveted color of mint green tourmaline as a comparison.

 

[Nosean]

No problem to get these tourmalines for 100 pct....

In my opinion you get the stones from this vendor for 5-20 % of the asked price somewhere else but as TL said a vendor is free to ask whatever he wants pct....

 

[shinyrocks]

I definitely wouldn't use Wildfish as a "comp" for pricing I've always found Ed's prices to be WAY WAY too high for what is offered, and his photos always seem more saturated than reality.

Beautiful earrings by the way! I love the pic of them in your avatar.

 

[valeria101]

.

Re. 'Paraiba' & green: this sort of thing exists - www

 

[PrecisionGem]

The price of colored stones is very difficult as there are many factors that go into the price, and unless one is very experienced and has worked with many stones it can be hard to pick up these difference, especially when just looking at one stone at a time.
A stone may look very saturated to you, until another stone that has better saturation is placed next to it, and then suddenly you see the gray in the first stone. The second stone, could sell for 2 or 3 times the price of the first stone.

Just looking at tourmaline in the size of the stones of the OP, a popular price guide shows a price of $10 per ct. up to $500 per ct for blue/green tourmaline.

 

[Eli22]

Gem dealers can charge whatever they want per carat. There is no law saying that a particular quality, gem species, color, etc. . . has to be around a specific price per carat. That's why forums like this are important to the consumer because often, prices are all over the place. Diamonds are a bit more easy to evaluate pricing because guides exist, and one can easily comparison shop, but colored gems are a whole other ball of wax.

I don't think those tourmaline are exceptional color, but they're standard green tourmaline, maybe with some chrome, but they shouldn't be outrageously priced. They look actually kind of dark, even with a bright light on them. Yes, Paraiba is much more expensive, but even some low quality Paraiba is overpriced due to the hype.

I would also ignore appraisals for the most part. Many are unrealistic and overvalue the gems by a huge margin, and they're primarily used for insurance purposes. In most cases, you would never ever be able to resell a gem for what it's appraised for. I only take appraisals seriously for very rare and valuable gems, like a rare pink diamond, for example, or a famous celebrity's gem with a provenance.

Thank you so much for this, @T L ! This is why I will now consult Pricescope first before any major jewelry purchase. This was my first "adult" jewelry purchase and I love the earrings, but I could have been a better informed customer :-/

 

[Eli22]

Put it this way. If an appraisal was actually worth anything - the person showing you the appraise would be *selling it* for that price.. themselves!!

Good point, @theredspinel !!!

 

[Eli22]

No sorry the wildfish gems stones look overinflated in price. This one
https://sedagems.com/shop/tourmaline/2-03-cts-vvs-green-kenyan-tourmaline-stunning/
Isn't exactly the same but it is closer to what I would expect the stones to cost. Probably a large component of the earings is the setting and the diamonds. so it may not be worthwhile trying to ascribe the price to the tourmalines.

Thanks for the link showing me what the gems should cost, @qubitasaurus ! I purchased the studs/jackets/etc together, but the price of each was listed on the receipt. So I unfortunately know just how much I overpaid for the studs. Oh well, live and learn

 

[Eli22]

I also wouldn't call those mint tourmaline, which is typically a light bluish green shade that is highly coveted. They're more of a forest or bottle green, although all these metaphors and color descriptors are often loosely used.

This is a highly coveted color of mint green tourmaline as a comparison.

I see...and I love that color gem!!!

 

[Eli22]

No problem to get these tourmalines for 100 pct....

In my opinion you get the stones from this vendor for 5-20 % of the asked price somewhere else but as TL said a vendor is free to ask whatever he wants pct....

Oh I am crying inside. But thank you for the reality check, @Nosean !

 

[Eli22]

I definitely wouldn't use Wildfish as a "comp" for pricing I've always found Ed's prices to be WAY WAY too high for what is offered, and his photos always seem more saturated than reality.

Beautiful earrings by the way! I love the pic of them in your avatar.

Thank you so much @shinyrocks ! I am just trying to enjoy them now after learning all that I've learned haha. Your feedback and everyone's help has been very helpful!

 

[Eli22]

.

Re. 'Paraiba' & green: this sort of thing exists - www

Interesting...and beautiful color. Sadly, I *know* my stones are NOT Paraiba

 

[Eli22]

The price of colored stones is very difficult as there are many factors that go into the price, and unless one is very experienced and has worked with many stones it can be hard to pick up these difference, especially when just looking at one stone at a time.
A stone may look very saturated to you, until another stone that has better saturation is placed next to it, and then suddenly you see the gray in the first stone. The second stone, could sell for 2 or 3 times the price of the first stone.

Just looking at tourmaline in the size of the stones of the OP, a popular price guide shows a price of $10 per ct. up to $500 per ct for blue/green tourmaline.

Thank you for this helpful info, @PrecisionGem - newbie mistake, but you can bet I won't make that mistake again!

Re: pricing...I paid a multiple of the top $ in that range...so I'm a bit sad. But will definitely look to Pricescope before any future purchases! Thank you

 

[Nosean]

Your earrings are very beautiful - so don't cry!!

But ask - for example the most beautiful tourmalines in the non paraiba but bluishgreen or greenishblue color range were cut by PrecisionGem - stones to die for - you will find the threads here.

 

[Eli22]

Your earrings are very beautiful - so don't cry!!

But ask - for example the most beautiful tourmalines in the non paraiba but bluishgreen or greenishblue color range were cut by PrecisionGem - stones to die for - you will find the threads here.

Aw thank you, @Nosean

I will look for those threads! Cheers!

 

[minousbijoux]

I find that Barry Bridgestock's tourmalines are especially beautiful - his cutting and polish are superb. You may want to search for him as well, though his stones will likely be everywhere on PS, since he's such a favorite here.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh I am crying inside. But thank you for the reality check, @Nosean !

Don't cry! They are gorgeous earrings!

I have been there as well. I had a brain fart once and bought the strangest blue sapphire. Honestly I don't know what came over me! I like it well enough but for the price, and shape and cut it was one of those "Hmmmm" with huge eyebrows raised purchases (lol in a major way).

My solution was to wear it out as much as I can when child rearing to make back the money! Tough ring that one and my son loves poking at it!

 

[Eli22]

I find that Barry Bridgestock's tourmalines are especially beautiful - his cutting and polish are superb. You may want to search for him as well, though his stones will likely be everywhere on PS, since he's such a favorite here.

Thank you, @minousbijoux ! I will check him out!

 

[Eli22]

Don't cry! They are gorgeous earrings!

I have been there as well. I had a brain fart once and bought the strangest blue sapphire. Honestly I don't know what came over me! I like it well enough but for the price, and shape and cut it was one of those "Hmmmm" with huge eyebrows raised purchases (lol in a major way).

My solution was to wear it out as much as I can when child rearing to make back the money! Tough ring that one and my son loves poking at it!

Thanks @mellowyellowgirl !! I guess this can be considered my "initiation" into the jewelry hobby

I agree with your solution - wearing it until the price per wear is minimal haha.

Thankfully the studs can be worn on their own, so I am wearing it to work, grocery shopping, hiking...everywhere I can get away with it LOL! Cheers!

 

[qubitasaurus]

I actuall really like them on you, they look extremely elegant. I wouldn't worry about how the receipt was itemized, the cost breakdown could have been done in any arbitrary way. The final piece is what matters -- and honestly I couldn't construct those jackets and drops cheaply. if I wanted them to last with all the interconnections and diamond halos I would expect to pay quite a bit.

You should enjoy them and not worry -- they are exquisite.

 

[BlingObsession]

I agree with the others - they are really, really beautiful. Forget about the price - enjoy them for they are stunning. The money is spent therefore the price you paid irrelevant.

Now you have found PS, you can better educate yourself but - be prepared - it's addictive!

 

[Eli22]

I actuall really like them on you, they look extremely elegant. I wouldn't worry about how the receipt was itemized, the cost breakdown could have been done in any arbitrary way. The final piece is what matters -- and honestly I couldn't construct those jackets and drops cheaply. if I wanted them to last with all the interconnections and diamond halos I would expect to pay quite a bit.

You should enjoy them and not worry -- they are exquisite.

Aw, thanks so much for the reassurance, @qubitasaurus !! I will stop worrying and start enjoying them! Cheers!

 

[Eli22]

I agree with the others - they are really, really beautiful. Forget about the price - enjoy them for they are stunning. The money is spent therefore the price you paid irrelevant.

Now you have found PS, you can better educate yourself but - be prepared - it's addictive!

Thank you, @BlingObsession !! I really appreciate all the feedback and reassurance from everyone! Haha thank goodness for PS (or not, says my bank account)!

 

[chatoyancy]

I think your earrings are very pretty. Did I read correctly that you can wear them with or without the jackets? That’s a big plus.

 

[Eli22]

I think your earrings are very pretty. Did I read correctly that you can wear them with or without the jackets? That’s a big plus.

Hi @chatoyancy ! Thank you so much! Yes, I can wear the studs alone, I will definitely wear them as much as I can!

Here is a pic of the pieces of the set, so I can mix/match to get many different looks

 

[chatoyancy]

Hi @chatoyancy ! Thank you so much! Yes, I can wear the studs alone, I will definitely wear them as much as I can!

Here is a pic of the pieces of the set, so I can mix/match to get many different looks

Wow! You can literally where your earrings in some form anywhere! You can go from pool to ball just by how you put them together. Cool!