We all know that when buying fine jewelry, some gems are more expensive than others, but have you ever wondered why?
Every stone is unique, and there are so many factors that help determine how much an individual gem will cost.
1) The rarity of the stone:
The less abundant a stone is, the more expensive it is.
For example: stones in the quartz family like amethyst and citrine can be found all over the world, so they are less expensive than a stone like tanzanite, which can only be found in a single location on the planet.
2) The demand of the stone:
Surprisingly, diamonds in general are not that rare of a stone (that was a lie created by the jewelry industry!) However, most are heavily included; clear diamonds and diamonds with unique inclusions are rare. Regardless of their rarity, diamonds are much more expensive because they are in demand. Diamonds are the hardest and most durable stone, so they are perfect for engagement rings and heirloom jewelry as they can last a lifetime (and even beyond).
3) The size:
The bigger the stone, the more expensive it can be. A 3 carat ruby will always cost more than a 1 carat ruby of the same quality.
4) The cut:
Certain gemstone cuts cost more than others, depending on how in demand or complicated the cuts are. A master lapidary artist (or gem-cutter) can see the potential of a gem and cut it just right to bring out the stone's beauty and reduce possible durability issues. Like making sure any inclusions aren't too close to the outside of the gem to prevent cracking. When it comes to diamonds, they are even more labor-intensive as they are the hardest stone, which makes them more difficult to cut.
Part of what you pay for when buying gemstone jewelry is artistry and expertise from the gem cutter.
5) The color:
Some stones only come in one color, like emerald, but the saturation and hue of that color plays a big role in how expensive that stone is. Some stones come in a variety of colors, like diamonds and sapphires, and some shades are extremely rare.
Did you know that padparascha sapphires and red diamonds are some of the rarest gemstones in the world? So getting your hands on one of those will definitely cost you.
6) The clarity:
Not just a measurement for diamonds, clarity is used to determine the worth of almost every gemstone.
For example: the less inclusions an emerald has, the more expensive it would be.
However, for certain stones, inclusions can make it more visually interesting. So a salt and pepper diamond with a lot of unique inclusions may be more expensive than one without.
7) How it’s created:
Natural stones are the most expensive because they take millions of years to be made and need a lot of labor and equipment to mine. Lab-created are less expensive because they can be created in a matter of weeks or months.
8) How it’s sourced:
Ethically mined stones can add to the price tag as mines won't be cutting costs on protecting their workers or the environment. Recycled stones may also be a little pricey since there is more rarity around certain stones, although some fantastic, low-cost options exist. Lab-created is a good option for ethical sourcing at lower price points.
