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This table presents the price ranges per carat for various U.S.-cut colored gemstones throughout the year 2021, reflecting wholesale purchase prices paid by retail jewelers for fine-quality stones weighing between 1 and less than 1 carat. This data is crucial for understanding market trends, guiding investment decisions, and supporting the gemstone industry by providing insight into the economic value of different gemstones. Accurate pricing information helps jewelers, miners, and traders assess supply and demand dynamics, optimize inventory, and forecast market movements within the colored gemstone sector.
Analysis of the 2021 data reveals that most gemstone prices remained stable over the year, with notable exceptions. Aquamarine experienced a significant price increase, rising from a range of $325–375 per carat in January to $390–425 by December, indicating growing demand or reduced supply. Conversely, emerald prices showed a decrease at the lower end, dropping from $2,000–4,500 to $1,420–4,500, suggesting some softening in the market for lower-priced stones. Other gemstones such as amethyst, citrine, fire opal, and sapphire maintained consistent price ranges throughout the year. The stability in prices for high-value stones like ruby and sapphire, both holding steady at $1,980–3,600 and $650–1,700 respectively, underscores their continued importance in the U.S. colored gemstone market.
| TABLE 3 | ||||
| PRICES PER CARAT OF U.S. CUT COLORED GEMSTONES IN 2021 | ||||
| Price range per carat | ||||
| Gemstone | January1 | December2 | ||
| Amethyst | $30–35 | $30–35 | ||
| Aquamarine | 325–375 | 390–425 | ||
| Citrine | 13–22 | 13–22 | ||
| Emerald | 2,000–4,500 | 1,420–4,500 | ||
| Opal, fire | 180–250 | 180–250 | ||
| Opal, white (also jelly opal) | 40–80 | 40–80 | ||
| Pearl, cultured saltwater3 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Peridot | 165–180 | 165–180 | ||
| Rhodolite garnet | 65–90 | 67–93 | ||
| Ruby | 1,980–3,600 | 1,980–3,600 | ||
| Sapphire, blue | 650–1,700 | 650–1,700 | ||
| Tanzanite | 375–400 | 375–400 | ||
| Topaz, blue | 7–8 | 7–8 | ||
| Topaz, yellow | 175–250 | 175–250 | ||
| Tourmaline, green | 135–200 | 135–200 | ||
| Tourmaline, pink | 170–200 | 170–200 | ||
1Source: The Gem Guide, v. 40, no. 1, January/February 2021, p. 52–53, 58, 62, 70–72, 75, 78–81, and 88. These figures are approximate wholesale purchase prices paid by retail jewelers on a per stone basis for 1 to less than 1 carat, fine-quality stones.
2Source: The Gem Guide, v. 40, no. 6, November/December 2021, p. 52–53, 58, 62, 70–72, 75, 78–81, and 88. These figures are approximate wholesale purchase prices paid by retail jewelers on a per stone basis for 1 to less than 1 carat, fine-quality stones.
3Prices are per 4.5–5-millimeter pearl.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Gemstones statistics | Mineral commodity prices