Determining Gemstone Value, Price, and Appraisals


How to price or obtain the value, price and appraisal of a gem or piece of gemstone jewelry.

Top Five Gemstone Investments for 2024

Top Five Gemstone Investments for 2024

What are the top gemstone investments for 2024? Learn why these five gems, some well-known and some less so, are...
Read More
Appraising Turquoise: Challenges for Gemologists

Appraising Turquoise: Challenges for Gemologists

What do gemologists need to know when appraising turquoise? Learn what are the main value factors to consider and the...
Read More
How to Calculate the Gold Markup for Jewelry

How to Calculate the Gold Markup for Jewelry

Learn the meaning of the trade terms for gold weight and karat, so you can calculate the gold content value...
Read More
Helping Clients with Inherited Gemstones and Jewelry

Helping Clients with Inherited Gemstones and Jewelry

Gem dealers are often their clients' most trusted advisers on gem matters. Learn how to help your clients with inherited...
Read More
Appraising Rubies

Appraising Rubies

Appraising rubies is a skill every jeweler and gemologist needs to master. Learn about the different quality factors that can...
Read More
Appraising Pearls: How to Grade Pearls

Appraising Pearls: How to Grade Pearls

Novice gemologists and jewelers may find appraising pearls difficult. Our guide will show you how to appraise and grade different...
Read More
Report Card for the Best Engagement Ring Insurance in 2024

Report Card for the Best Engagement Ring Insurance in 2024

Independent report by International Gem Society on the Best Engagement Ring Insurance on the Market in 2022.
Read More
Finding the Best Artificial Lighting for Gems: Buying, Selling, and Grading

Finding the Best Artificial Lighting for Gems: Buying, Selling, and Grading

Gemstones are creatures of light. Learn how lighting impacts gem sales and get recommendations for high-quality artificial lighting for gems....
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Jewelry Insurance Companies

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Jewelry Insurance Companies

Our jewelry insurance guide reviews the policies of the top eight companies. Learn what to look for so you can...
Read More
Appraising Opals

Appraising Opals

Opals are unique gems with their own unique terminology. Learn the modern standard system for classifying and appraising opals used...
Read More
Appraising Gems and Jewelry

Appraising Gems and Jewelry

Appraising gems and jewelry involves opinions of value based on knowledge and research. Learn what information gemologists should include on...
Read More
Basic Jewelry and Gem Appraisal Terms: What is Value?

Basic Jewelry and Gem Appraisal Terms: What is Value?

Many people assume that a gem appraisal sets a definitive price for an item. Actually, the price depends on the...
Read More
Gem and Jewelry Insurance Quotes: Four Money-Saving Questions

Gem and Jewelry Insurance Quotes: Four Money-Saving Questions

How can you get lower gem and jewelry insurance quotes? Asking a potential insurer these four questions could help lower...
Read More
Jewelry and Gemstone Insurance: Nine Questions You Need to Ask

Jewelry and Gemstone Insurance: Nine Questions You Need to Ask

Before you buy jewelry and gemstone insurance, learn what to ask insurance companies and make sure the policy meets your...
Read More
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Gems and Jewelry?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Gems and Jewelry?

Your homeowners insurance may cover gems and jewelry, but don’t assume it covers all risks or the value of your...
Read More
Jewelry and Gemstone Appraisals for Insurance

Jewelry and Gemstone Appraisals for Insurance

Need insurance for your jewelry? You’ll need jewelry and gemstone appraisals. Learn what info they should include and who to...
Read More
Advice for Determining Gemstone Value

Advice for Determining Gemstone Value

Judging gemstone value is complex, and new gemologists can have trouble with this. These four exercises can help you learn...
Read More
Aquamarine Grading and Pricing

Aquamarine Grading and Pricing

Aquamarines are evaluated based on the Four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Learn how each factor affects aquamarine grading...
Read More
Rubellite Tourmaline Buying Guide

Rubellite Tourmaline Buying Guide

Our rubellite buying guide can help you learn how rubellites are graded, what to avoid, and how to identify a...
Read More
Chrome Tourmaline Buying Guide

Chrome Tourmaline Buying Guide

Rare chrome tourmaline can show an emerald-like green color. With a highly desired color and tourmaline's excellent qualities as a...
Read More
Verdelite (Green Tourmaline) Buying Guide

Verdelite (Green Tourmaline) Buying Guide

Looking for a tourmaline jewelry stone? If you like green and you're on a budget, green tourmaline or verdelite is...
Read More
Are Diamonds Really Rare? Diamond Myths and Misconceptions

Are Diamonds Really Rare? Diamond Myths and Misconceptions

Diamonds are popular gemstones surrounded by popular misconceptions. We'll tell you how they became so prized and debunk some of...
Read More
How Can Gem Buyers Protect Themselves from Fraud?

How Can Gem Buyers Protect Themselves from Fraud?

How can gem buyers avoid undisclosed gem treatments and substitutions? Learn why it's best to deal with expert gem cutters...
Read More
Pricing Faceted Gems and Calculating Your Return

Pricing Faceted Gems and Calculating Your Return

Properly pricing faceted gems can be a daunting task for investors. Learn how to research gem prices and calculate your...
Read More
Marketing Your Gems Online

Marketing Your Gems Online

Accurate descriptions and quality photographs are essential for marketing your gems online. Learn about options and best practices for improving...
Read More
A Guide to Gem Selling Platforms

A Guide to Gem Selling Platforms

Determining where to sell your gems — whether online or in-person — can be difficult. Here’s a look at the...
Read More
Negotiating Strategies for the Gem Trade

Negotiating Strategies for the Gem Trade

What negotiating strategies work best in the gem trade? Learn how some general principles and a win-win mindset can help...
Read More
How to Prepare for Gemstone Negotiations

How to Prepare for Gemstone Negotiations

Research is crucial for success in any business deal. To prepare for gemstone negotiations, focus on these three subjects to...
Read More
Negotiations 101: Key Principles for Buying Gems for Profit

Negotiations 101: Key Principles for Buying Gems for Profit

Your gem investment profits depend mostly on the prices you set through negotiations. Understanding four key business principles will help...
Read More
Options for Financing Gem Buying for Profit

Options for Financing Gem Buying for Profit

How should you pay for investment gems? Learn the pros of cons of three options for financing gem investments —...
Read More
How to Establish a Network of Gem Trade Contacts

How to Establish a Network of Gem Trade Contacts

To make a profit investing in gems, you’ll need a network of gem trade contacts. Here’s some advice on how...
Read More
Gemstone Sourcing Guide

Gemstone Sourcing Guide

Investors have many gemstone sourcing options, but which ones will work best for you? Learn the pros and cons, as...
Read More
The Impact of Lab-Grown Stones on the Gem Market

The Impact of Lab-Grown Stones on the Gem Market

Lab-grown stones have the potential to disrupt the gem market. Learn how they can affect supply and demand and whether...
Read More
Insights on Gemstone Pricing

Insights on Gemstone Pricing

Gemstone pricing can vary greatly between dealers. Learn about the myriad factors that go into prices for both colored gems...
Read More
Gemstone Rarity and Ease of Replacement

Gemstone Rarity and Ease of Replacement

Most gemstones are rare, but some are rarer than others. Learn how gemstone rarity and ease of replacement can affect...
Read More
Supply and Demand: Gemstone Market Dynamics

Supply and Demand: Gemstone Market Dynamics

The gem market can be very subjective. Nevertheless, investors can make money by starting with the basics: understanding supply and...
Read More
Gemstone Buying for Profit: Budget and Basis

Gemstone Buying for Profit: Budget and Basis

Good-quality gemstones are expensive, but you can make money investing in gems even if you have a small investment budget....
Read More
Managing Your Time Horizon for Gem Buying and Selling

Managing Your Time Horizon for Gem Buying and Selling

How long should investors hold on to gemstones? Learn how your investment goals, business model, and patience affect your investment...
Read More
Evaluating Market Risk for Gemstones

Evaluating Market Risk for Gemstones

Gemstone investors must keep up with global trends when evaluating market risk. Learn how studying sociocultural factors can lead to...
Read More
Risk Management and Gem Buying for Profit

Risk Management and Gem Buying for Profit

You can’t eliminate all risks from gem investing, but understanding the risks you’ll face and your appetite for them will...
Read More
Buying Gems for Profit: An Introduction

Buying Gems for Profit: An Introduction

Successful investing in gemstones requires knowledge and experience. The IGS Buying Gems for Profit course will give you the knowledge...
Read More
Gem Pricing Advice for Faceters

Gem Pricing Advice for Faceters

Gem pricing isn't easy, and guidelines aren't always fixed. Learn what factors gem cutters should consider to determine a fair...
Read More
Understanding the Inner Workings of the Gem Trade

Understanding the Inner Workings of the Gem Trade

Based on interviews with gem trade experts, this series of FAQs addresses many topics, such as gem value, investing, insurance,...
Read More
Appraising Emeralds

Appraising Emeralds

Appraising emeralds is a key skill for all jewelers and gemologists. Learn how to evaluate the quality of these rare...
Read More
Ruby and Sapphire Origins

Ruby and Sapphire Origins

Ruby and sapphire origins greatly affect the values of these prized gems. Learn where these stones occur and how inclusions...
Read More
Appraising Blue Sapphires

Appraising Blue Sapphires

Appraising blue sapphires is a critical skill for any jeweler or gemologist. Learn the basics you’ll need to evaluate one...
Read More
Making Money Investing in Gems: The Top 5 Rules

Making Money Investing in Gems: The Top 5 Rules

How do you make money investing in gems? What should you buy, for how much, and how can you add...
Read More
Gemstone Certificates

Gemstone Certificates

Can you rely on gemstone certificates to reveal everything that can affect the value of pricey gems? Learn what to...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!