Gems by Price
Gemstone types grouped by typical price (heuristic or explicit)
ULTRA-LUXURY
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandrite | $5,000-70,000+ per carat (commercial: $10,000-30,000; strong change Russian $40,000-70,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Blue Diamond | $100,000-500,000+ per carat (commercial: $150,000-300,000; vivid fancy blue $300,000-500,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Diamond | $1,000-$50,000/ct | NEUTRAL+ |
| Green Diamond | $50,000-300,000+ per carat (commercial: $80,000-150,000; natural vivid green $200,000-300,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Musgravite | $10,000-50,000+ per carat (commercial: $20,000-35,000; among rarest gemstones) | VERY BULLISH |
| Painite | $50,000-100,000+ per carat (commercial: $60,000-80,000; formerly world's rarest) | VERY BULLISH |
| Paraiba Tourmaline | $5,000-60,000+ per carat (commercial: $10,000-25,000; Brazilian neon $30,000-60,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Pink Diamond | $50,000-500,000+ per carat (commercial: $100,000-300,000; Argyle pinks $200,000-500,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Ruby | $100-100,000+ per carat (commercial: $500-5,000; pigeon's blood Burmese $10,000-100,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Serendibite | $10,000-50,000+ per carat (commercial: $20,000-30,000; exceptionally rare) | BULLISH |
| Vayrynenite | $50,000-100,000+ per carat (commercial: N/A; virtually no market, museum specimens only) | BULLISH |
SUPER-PREMIUM
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Benitoite | $3,000-10,000+ per carat (commercial: $4,000-7,000; California rarity) | BULLISH |
| Bixbite | $2,000-15,000+ per carat (commercial: $5,000-10,000; extremely rare, any size valuable) | BULLISH |
| Black Opal | $500-10,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-5,000; Lightning Ridge $5,000-10,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Brown Diamond | $1,500-10,000+ per carat (commercial: $2,000-5,000; champagne and cognac $3,000-10,000+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Demantoid | $1,000-10,000+ per carat (commercial: $2,000-5,000; Russian with horsetails $5,000-10,000+) | BULLISH |
| Emerald | $200-20,000+ per carat (commercial: $500-5,000; fine Colombian stones $5,000-20,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Grandidierite | $5,000-30,000+ per carat (commercial: $10,000-20,000; faceted stones extremely rare) | BULLISH |
| Padparadscha Sapphire | $2,000-30,000+ per carat (commercial: $5,000-15,000; finest unheated $15,000-30,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Poudretteite | $3,000-30,000+ per carat (commercial: $5,000-15,000; fine pink over 1ct $20,000-30,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Red Spinel | $300-10,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-3,000; finest "Jedi" red $5,000-10,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Sapphire | $100-20,000+ per carat (commercial: $400-3,000; Kashmir/Burma finest $5,000-20,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Taaffeite | $2,500-20,000+ per carat (commercial: $5,000-15,000; extremely rare in any quality) | VERY BULLISH |
| Yellow Diamond | $3,000-30,000+ per carat (commercial: $5,000-15,000; vivid fancy yellow $15,000-30,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
PREMIUM
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanite | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-2,000; rare collector stone) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Black Diamond | $200-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $300-1,500; natural Carbonado $1,000-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Blue Spinel | $300-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-2,500; cobalt blue $2,000-5,000+) | BULLISH |
| Burmese Spinel | $500-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-3,000; finest red and pink $3,000-5,000+) | BULLISH |
| Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl | $100-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $300-1,000; sharp eye and honey color $1,000-2,000+) | BULLISH |
| Chrome Sphene | $200-1,500+ per carat (commercial: $400-800; vivid chrome green $1,000-1,500+) | Unknown |
| Chrysoberyl | $100-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-800; cat's eye $500-2,000+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Clinohumite | $1,000-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $2,000-3,500; Tajikistan rarity) | BULLISH |
| Color-Change Garnet | $100-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-600; strong change) | BULLISH |
| Crystal Opal | $50-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $100-500; transparent with good play) | NEUTRAL |
| Diaspore | $100-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-600; color-change "Zultanite" $400-1,000+) | NEUTRAL |
| Elbaite | $50-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $100-800; bicolor $500-2,000+) | NEUTRAL |
| Euclase | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-1,500; blue over 2ct $2,000-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Hauyne | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-1,500; vivid blue over 1ct $2,000-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Hiddenite | $100-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-600; true green rare $600-1,000+) | NEUTRAL |
| Imperial Topaz | $300-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $500-1,500; finest orange-pink $1,500-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Indicolite | $200-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $400-1,200; deep saturated blue $1,000-2,000+) | NEUTRAL |
| Jadeite | $100-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-1,000; imperial green $1,500-3,000+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Jeremejevite | $2,000-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $3,000-4,000; museum-grade rarity) | BULLISH |
| Mahenge Spinel | $1,000-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,500-3,000; hot pink over 2ct $3,000-5,000+) | BULLISH |
| Opaque Hauyne | $100-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-600; fine opaque blue $600-1,000+) | Unknown |
| Pezzottaite | $1,000-8,000+ per carat (commercial: $2,000-5,000; fine raspberry over 1ct $5,000-8,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Phenakite | $500-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-3,000; fine colorless Russian $3,000-5,000+) | BULLISH |
| Phosphophyllite | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-2,000; blue-green Bolivia $2,000-3,000+) | Unknown |
| Pink Spinel | $100-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $300-1,500; hot pink $1,500-3,000+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Pink Topaz | $200-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $400-1,000; natural untreated pink rare) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Rubellite | $200-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $400-1,200; true red without shift $1,200-2,000+) | NEUTRAL |
| Sapphirine | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-1,500; fine blue over 1ct $2,000-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Sphene | $100-1,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-600; high dispersion, collector market) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Spinel | $100-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $200-800; color dependent) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Star Ruby | $100-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $300-1,500; sharp star, fine red $1,500-3,000+) | BULLISH |
| Star Sapphire | $100-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $300-1,500; sharp star, fine blue $2,000-5,000+) | VERY BULLISH |
| Stibiotantalite | $200-1,500+ per carat (commercial: $300-800; yellowish-brown over 2ct $1,000-1,500+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Tanzanian Spinel | $200-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $500-1,200; Mahenge pink $1,000-2,000+) | BULLISH |
| Tanzanite | $300-2,000+ per carat (commercial: $600-1,200; finest vivid blue-violet $1,500-2,000+) | BULLISH |
| Tsavorite | $500-5,000+ per carat (commercial: $1,000-3,000; fine over 2ct $3,000-5,000+) | BULLISH |
| Vietnamese Purple Spinel | $500-3,000+ per carat (commercial: $800-1,500; finest violet-purple specimens from Vietnam $2,000-3,000+) | BULLISH |
HIGH-END
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Achroite | $100-800+ per carat (commercial: $200-500; colorless over 5ct $600-800+) | Unknown |
| Andradite | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; most varieties collector-oriented) | NEUTRAL |
| Aquamarine | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; fine deep blue $300-500+) | BEARISH |
| Beryl | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; fine green $300-500+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Boulder Opal | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; Queensland material) | BEARISH |
| Brazilianite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; yellow-green $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Chondrodite | $100-800+ per carat (commercial: $150-400; orange-red over 2ct $500-800+) | Unknown |
| Cuprite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; transparent red $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Dioptase | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; emerald-green crystals $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Fire Opal | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; Mexican with play of color $300-500+) | BEARISH |
| Garnet | $10-500+ per carat (commercial: $30-150; variety dependent) | VERY BEARISH |
| Hackmanite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; strong tenebrescence $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Hambergite | $100-800+ per carat (commercial: $150-400; colorless over 3ct $500-800+) | Unknown |
| Herderite | $100-600+ per carat (commercial: $150-350; colorless/yellow over 3ct $400-600+) | Unknown |
| Kornerupine | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; green to brown) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Kunzite | $20-500 per carat (commercial: $50-200; large clean stones $200-500) | BEARISH |
| Malaya Garnet | $100-800+ per carat (commercial: $200-500; fine peachy-pink $500-800+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Moonstone | $10-500 per carat (commercial: $30-150; fine blue sheen $200-500+) | BEARISH |
| Opal | $10-500+ per carat (commercial: $30-200; variety dependent) | BEARISH |
| Opaque Emerald | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; fine green $300-500+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Pargasite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; chrome-green $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Spessartite | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; mandarin orange) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Sphalerite | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; extreme dispersion but fragile) | NEUTRAL |
| Topaz | $5-500+ per carat (commercial: $10-100; imperial topaz $200-500+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Tourmaline | $20-500+ per carat (commercial: $50-200; variety dependent) | VERY BEARISH |
| Triplite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; fine blue $300-500+) | Unknown |
| Verdelite | $50-500+ per carat (commercial: $100-300; chrome verdelite $300-500+) | NEUTRAL |
| Watermelon Tourmaline | $50-500 per carat (commercial: $100-300; strong color contrast valued) | NEUTRAL |
MID-RANGE
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Albite | $10-100+ per carat (commercial: $20-60; peristerite $70-100+) | BEARISH |
| Amblygonite | $50-300+ per carat (commercial: $100-200; pale yellow $200-300+) | Unknown |
| Amethyst | $5-100 per carat (commercial: $10-50; deep purple Siberian $50-100+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Ametrine | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; natural bicolor) | NEUTRAL |
| Andalusite | $50-300 per carat (commercial: $80-200; strong pleochroism desirable) | NEUTRAL |
| Andesine | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; red varieties) | BEARISH |
| Apatite | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; neon blue) | BEARISH |
| Axinite | $50-400+ per carat (commercial: $100-250; cinnamon-brown $300-400+) | Unknown |
| Blue Topaz | $10-200+ per carat (commercial: $20-100; Swiss blue $80-150; London blue $100-200+) | BEARISH |
| Bytownite | $20-150+ per carat (commercial: $40-90; Oregon sunstone $100-150+) | BEARISH |
| Cassiterite | $20-150+ per carat (commercial: $30-80; fine transparent $100-150+) | Unknown |
| Cerussite | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $50-120; colorless adamantine $150-200+) | Unknown |
| Charoite | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; purple swirls) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Chrysoprase | $5-100 per carat (commercial: $15-60; apple green) | NEUTRAL |
| Danburite | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $30-80; fine colorless $100-200+) | Unknown |
| Diopside | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; chrome green) | BEARISH |
| Enstatite | $20-150 per carat (commercial: $40-90; brown to green) | BEARISH |
| Epidote | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $40-120; pistachio green $150-200+) | Unknown |
| Feldspar | $5-100+ per carat (commercial: $10-50; fine varieties $50-100+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Goshenite | $20-100 per carat (commercial: $30-70; colorless beryl) | BEARISH |
| Green Beryl | $30-200 per carat (commercial: $50-150; light green, not emerald) | BEARISH |
| Grossular | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; various colors) | BEARISH |
| Heliodor | $30-200 per carat (commercial: $50-150; fine golden yellow $150-200+) | BEARISH |
| Hyalite | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; UV fluorescent) | BEARISH |
| Hypersthene | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $30-70; bronzy sheen) | BEARISH |
| Idocrase | $30-300+ per carat (commercial: $60-180; green californite $200-300+) | BEARISH |
| Iolite | $30-200 per carat (commercial: $60-120; violet-blue) | BEARISH |
| Jelly Opal | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; gelatinous appearance) | BEARISH |
| Kyanite | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; blue Nepal) | BEARISH |
| Labradorite | $5-100 per carat (commercial: $10-50; spectrolite $50-100+) | BEARISH |
| Lapis Lazuli | $5-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; deep blue minimal pyrite) | BEARISH |
| Larimar | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; volcanic blue) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Mali Garnet | $50-300 per carat (commercial: $100-200; yellow-green) | NEUTRAL |
| Moldavite | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $40-120; museum-grade specimens $150-200+) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Morganite | $50-300 per carat (commercial: $100-200; fine pink $200-300+) | BEARISH |
| Nephrite | $5-200 per carat (commercial: $20-80; mutton fat white valued) | BEARISH |
| Orthoclase | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; yellow Madagascar) | BEARISH |
| Parisite | $50-400+ per carat (commercial: $100-250; golden-brown over 2ct $300-400+) | Unknown |
| Peridot | $30-400 per carat (commercial: $50-200; fine green $200-400+) | BEARISH |
| Peruvian Opal | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $20-60; blue-green varieties) | BEARISH |
| Petalite | $30-200+ per carat (commercial: $60-120; colorless $150-200+) | Unknown |
| Pollucite | $50-300+ per carat (commercial: $100-200; colorless rare $200-300+) | Unknown |
| Pyrope | $20-150 per carat (commercial: $40-100; blood red) | BEARISH |
| Quartz | $1-100 per carat (commercial: $5-30; variety dependent) | VERY BEARISH |
| Rhodochrosite | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; transparent pink rare) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Rhodolite | $50-300 per carat (commercial: $80-180; raspberry pink) | BEARISH |
| Rutilated Quartz | $5-100 per carat (commercial: $15-60; golden rutile needles) | BEARISH |
| Scapolite | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; yellow and purple) | BEARISH |
| Sillimanite | $30-300+ per carat (commercial: $60-180; chatoyant violet-blue $250-300+) | Unknown |
| Smithsonite | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $50-120; blue-green $150-200+) | Unknown |
| Spodumene | $20-300+ per carat (commercial: $40-150; fine colors $150-300+) | BEARISH |
| Sugilite | $10-100 per carat (commercial: $30-70; purple) | NEUTRAL+ |
| Sunstone | $10-200 per carat (commercial: $30-100; Oregon with schiller $100-200+) | BEARISH |
| Synthetic Emerald | $10-100+ per carat (commercial: $20-50; fine synthetic $50-100+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Synthetic Ruby | $10-100+ per carat (commercial: $20-50; fine synthetic $50-100+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Synthetic Sapphire | $10-100+ per carat (commercial: $20-50; fine synthetic $50-100+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Turquoise | $5-200 per carat (commercial: $20-80; Persian sky blue) | BEARISH |
| Uvarovite | $20-100 per carat (commercial: $40-70; emerald green druzy) | NEUTRAL |
| Vesuvianite | $30-300+ per caret (commercial: $60-180; green "Californite" $200-300+) | BEARISH |
| White Opal | $20-200 per carat (commercial: $50-120; good play of color) | BEARISH |
| Zircon | $50-400 per carat (commercial: $100-250; blue Cambodia $250-400+) | BEARISH |
| Zoisite | $20-200+ per carat (commercial: $40-120; pink thulite $150-200+) | BEARISH |
AFFORDABLE
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Almandine | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; deep red) | VERY BEARISH |
| Amazonite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; fine blue-green) | VERY BEARISH |
| Ammolite | $1-50+ per carat | Unknown |
| Azurite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; deep blue) | BEARISH |
| Chalcedony | $2-50 per carat (commercial: $5-25; various colors) | VERY BEARISH |
| Citrine | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; natural yellow rare) | VERY BEARISH |
| Fluorite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; various colors) | VERY BEARISH |
| Lepidolite | $1-50+ per carat | Unknown |
| Oligoclase | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; collector stone) | BEARISH |
| Prasiolite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; green quartz) | BEARISH |
| Prehnite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; apple green) | VERY BEARISH |
| Rhodonite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; pink with black veins) | VERY BEARISH |
| Scheelite | $10-80+ per carat (commercial: $20-50; fine transparent $60-80+) | Unknown |
| Seraphinite | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; feathery silver patterns) | BEARISH |
| Tantalite | $5-50+ per carat (commercial: $10-30; fine crystals $30-50+) | NEUTRAL |
| Tourmalinated Quartz | $5-50 per carat (commercial: $10-30; black tourmaline needles) | BEARISH |
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
| Gem Type | Typical Price | Investment Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Agate | $1-30 per carat (commercial: $3-15; banded patterns) | VERY BEARISH |
| Aragonite | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; specimen quality) | VERY BEARISH |
| Aventurine | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; green with sparkle) | VERY BEARISH |
| Bastnasite | $3-30+ per carat (commercial: $5-15; fine crystals $20-30+) | BEARISH |
| Bloodstone | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; green with red spots) | VERY BEARISH |
| Calcite | $1-30 per carat (commercial: $3-12; optical calcite $15-30+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Carnelian | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; orange-red) | VERY BEARISH |
| Erythrite | $2-20+ per carat (commercial: $5-12; fine crystals $15-20+) | BEARISH |
| Hawk's Eye | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; blue-gray chatoyancy) | BEARISH |
| Hematite | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; specular hematite $15-30+) | VERY BEARISH |
| Jasper | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $2-8; various patterns) | VERY BEARISH |
| Malachite | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; banded green) | VERY BEARISH |
| Milky Quartz | $1-10 per carat (commercial: $2-5; white translucent) | VERY BEARISH |
| Onyx | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; black banded) | VERY BEARISH |
| Rock Crystal | $2-20 per carat (commercial: $5-12; colorless transparent) | VERY BEARISH |
| Rose Quartz | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; translucent pink) | VERY BEARISH |
| Sardonyx | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; red and white bands) | VERY BEARISH |
| Serpentine | $1-30 per carat (commercial: $3-15; green varieties) | VERY BEARISH |
| Smoky Quartz | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; natural brown to black) | VERY BEARISH |
| Sodalite | $2-30 per carat (commercial: $5-15; royal blue) | VERY BEARISH |
| Tiger's Eye | $1-20 per carat (commercial: $3-10; golden brown chatoyancy) | VERY BEARISH |
| Xenotime | $5-40+ per carat (commercial: $10-25; fine crystals $30-40+) | NEUTRAL |