Determining Gemstone Value, Price, and Appraisals
How to price or obtain the value, price and appraisal of a gem or piece of gemstone jewelry.
Is Moss Agate Expensive?
A gorgeous moss agate ring. Photo credit: Shuttertock/Liem Men Sang
In recent years, the gemstone market has observed an ever-growing...
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Is Jadeite Expensive?
Green Burmese Imperial jade ring and bangle. Photo credit Shuttertock/W. Scott McGill
When discussing how gemstones are valued, jadeite is...
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Are Moonstones Expensive?
Rings with natural moonstones. Photo credit: Shutterstock/AnaKle
The gentle, billowing light that shines from within moonstones is one of the...
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Are Alexandrites Expensive?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock/boykung
If you say the phrase “emerald by day, ruby by night” to any gemstone professional or collector,...
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Are Rubies Expensive?
How much are rubies worth? The best rubies are some of the most expensive colored gemstones on the market. One...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Appraising Rubies
Appraising rubies is a skill every jeweler and gemologist needs to master. Learn about the different quality factors that can...
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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...
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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.
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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....
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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...
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Appraising Opals
Opals are unique gems with their own unique terminology. Learn the modern standard system for classifying and appraising opals used...
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Appraising Gems and Jewelry
Appraising gems and jewelry involves opinions of value based on knowledge and research. Learn what information gemologists should include on...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Aquamarine Grading and Pricing
Aquamarines are evaluated based on the Four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Learn how each factor affects aquamarine grading...
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Rubellite Tourmaline Buying Guide
Our rubellite buying guide can help you learn how rubellites are graded, what to avoid, and how to identify a...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Marketing Your Gems Online
Accurate descriptions and quality photographs are essential for marketing your gems online. Learn about options and best practices for improving...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 —...
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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...
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Gemstone Sourcing Guide
Investors have many gemstone sourcing options, but which ones will work best for you? Learn the pros and cons, as...
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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...
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Insights on Gemstone Pricing
Gemstone pricing can vary greatly between dealers. Learn about the myriad factors that go into prices for both colored gems...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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