Determining Gemstone Value, Price, and Appraisals

Judging gemstone value is complex, and new gemologists can have trouble with this. These four exercises can help you learn to evaluate “bargain…

Aquamarines are evaluated based on the Four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Learn how each factor affects aquamarine grading and pricing.…

Like all tourmaline gemstones, rubellite wears well in almost any type of jewelry. This stone’s raspberry-like color draws a great deal of attention.…

Rare chrome tourmaline can show an emerald-like green color. With a highly desired color and tourmaline’s excellent qualities as a jewelry stone,…

Looking for a tourmaline jewelry stone? If you like green and you’re on a budget, green tourmaline or verdelite is the gem for you.

Diamonds are popular gemstones surrounded by popular misconceptions. We’ll tell you how they became so prized and debunk some of those diamond…

How can gem buyers avoid undisclosed gem treatments and substitutions? Learn why it’s best to deal with expert gem cutters rather than commercial…

Properly pricing faceted gems can be a daunting task for investors. Learn how to research gem prices and calculate your return on investment (ROI),…

Accurate descriptions and quality photographs are essential for marketing your gems online. Learn about options and best practices for improving…

Determining where to sell your gems — whether online or in-person — can be difficult. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of various gem selling…

What negotiating strategies work best in the gem trade? Learn how some general principles and a win-win mindset can help you succeed in price negotiations.…

Research is crucial for success in any business deal. To prepare for gemstone negotiations, focus on these three subjects to get the best possible…

Your gem investment profits depend mostly on the prices you set through negotiations. Understanding four key business principles will help you…

How should you pay for investment gems? Learn the pros of cons of three options for financing gem investments — cash, debt, and memoing.

To make a profit investing in gems, you’ll need a network of gem trade contacts. Here’s some advice on how to start building professional relationships.…

Investors have many gemstone sourcing options, but which ones will work best for you? Learn the pros and cons, as well as the risk levels, of these…

Lab-grown stones have the potential to disrupt the gem market. Learn how they can affect supply and demand and whether synthetics make good investments.…

Gemstone pricing can vary greatly between dealers. Learn about the myriad factors that go into prices for both colored gems and diamonds.

Most gemstones are rare, but some are rarer than others. Learn how gemstone rarity and ease of replacement can affect gem prices.

The gem market can be very subjective. Nevertheless, investors can make money by starting with the basics: understanding supply and demand in…

Good-quality gemstones are expensive, but you can make money investing in gems even if you have a small investment budget. Learn to buy right.

How long should investors hold on to gemstones? Learn how your investment goals, business model, and patience affect your investment time horizon.…

Gemstone investors must keep up with global trends when evaluating market risk. Learn how studying sociocultural factors can lead to profit opportunities.…

You can’t eliminate all risks from gem investing, but understanding the risks you’ll face and your appetite for them will help you with risk…

Successful investing in gemstones requires knowledge and experience. The IGS Buying Gems for Profit course will give you the knowledge about…

Gem pricing isn’t easy, and guidelines aren’t always fixed. Learn what factors gem cutters should consider to determine a fair price for their…

Based on interviews with gem trade experts, this series of FAQs addresses many topics, such as gem value, investing, insurance, and collecting.…

Appraising emeralds is a key skill for all jewelers and gemologists. Learn how to evaluate the quality of these rare green gemstones.

Ruby and sapphire origins greatly affect the values of these prized gems. Learn where these stones occur and how inclusions can help identify their…

Appraising rubies is a skill every jeweler and gemologist needs to master. Learn about the different quality factors that can affect ruby prices.…

Appraising blue sapphires is a critical skill for any jeweler or gemologist. Learn the basics you’ll need to evaluate one of the most popular…

Novice gemologists and jewelers may find appraising pearls difficult. Our guide will show you how to appraise and grade different types of cultured…

How do you make money investing in gems? What should you buy, for how much, and how can you add value to your investments? Learn these top 5 rules.

Can you rely on gemstone certificates to reveal everything that can affect the value of pricey gems? Learn what to look for when you have a gem certified.…

The effects of the 2014 scandal over diamond overgrading at EGL labs are still emerging. Learn what gemologists and retailers can do to prevent…

Gemstones are creatures of light. Learn how lighting impacts gem sales and get recommendations for high-quality artificial lighting for gems.…

Gem dealers are often their clients’ most trusted advisers on gem matters. Learn how to help clients and their families who inherit a gemstone collection.…

If you learn the meaning of the trade terms for gold weight and karat, you can calculate the gold content value of any item as well as the jeweler’s…

Appraising gems and jewelry involves opinions of value based on knowledge and research. Learn what information gemologists should include on…

Many people assume that a gem appraisal sets a definitive price for an item. Actually, the price depends on the type of appraisal done and can consist…

The International Gem Society (IGS) ran a jewelers’ pricing survey in 2002 and 2012. Over those ten years, we saw significant changes in the world’s…

Buyer beware! Not all color-change chrysoberyl is alexandrite. Learn the classic color ranges of true alexandrite and avoid being scammed by…

Opals are unique gems with their own unique terminology. Learn the modern standard system for classifying and appraising opals used by major gem…

Need insurance for your jewelry? You’ll need jewelry and gemstone appraisals. Learn what info they should include and who to trust with your…

How can you get lower gem and jewelry insurance quotes? Asking a potential insurer these few questions could help lower your premiums.

Your homeowner’s insurance may cover gems and jewelry, but don’t assume it covers all risks or the value of your items. Ask your insurer these…

The IGS Gem Price Guide covers many popular as well as unusual, collectible gems. Find your gem’s retail value based on its type, size, and qualities.…

Underkarating is a fraudulent practice whereby a jeweler represents a piece of jewelry or gold as containing more precious metal than it actually…

Understanding how the price of an underlying jewelry metal, such as gold, impacts the price of your finished jewelry.

The newest thing in the opal world is the Opal Smart Chart. This is a software package designed to help you value your opals. It has two segments.

The newest thing in the opal world is the Opal Smart Chart. This is a software package designed to help you value your opals. It has two segments.

Before you buy jewelry and gemstone insurance, learn what to ask insurance companies and make sure the policy meets your needs.

Rarity is one of the most prized qualities of gemstones. But some gems are far more rare than others! This article helps explain what’s rare and what…