When they want to find out whether emeralds or diamonds are more expensive, they mean minerals that are identical in size and characteristics. Of no less interest is the comparison of the cost of a green crystal with other precious stones. And even though sapphire, topaz or ruby ​​are not at all similar to emerald in their colors and properties, it is always interesting to make an assessment in rubles or dollars. However, the difference in price largely depends on the quality of the crystal, that is, transparency and color saturation.

A number of precious competitors

Traditionally, the most expensive jewelry is considered to be those encrusted with diamonds. And few people doubt that this stone can outshine other minerals. But this is an indisputable fact. Sapphires and rubies are often much more expensive. The main competitor of diamond is emerald.

The acquired popularity of processed diamonds is due to the large number of deposits and the competent advertising policy of managers. However, the uniqueness of the finds, that is, the degree of rarity, plays a significant role in the assessment. The price also depends on where the crystals are mined.

Starting to compare emerald with other stones that nature produces, let’s identify minerals that can be put on par with it in terms of the beauty of their radiance:

• diamond (diamond);
• sapphire;
• ruby.

All these stones are classified as precious, but the most expensive of them is not always a diamond. Let's figure out in order which stone is the most valuable.

Compare with a diamond

The hardness of an emerald is only two units less than that of a diamond. On the Mohs scale they are not far from each other - 8 and 10, respectively. The cost of anything is affected by size and weight. The larger the mineral, the more dollars they ask for per carat.

A cut diamond turns into a diamond. The purity of the stone and the shape of the cut come first. When there is a minimum of foreign inclusions inside the crystal, it shines with many facets, and weighs more than 5 carats, then the value of the jewelry is high. If you choose a similar emerald without defects, with a rich dark green color, it will cost 20-30% more.

An important role in the evaluation of emerald is played by the location of the mine where it was mined. The purest, and therefore most expensive, stones are those brought from Colombia. The Muso mines are especially famous.

Rare finds are more valuable

There is another reason why a diamond and an emerald with similar parameters differ in price in favor of the latter. Compared to diamond mines, there are far fewer mines in the world where the green mineral is being developed. Therefore, there are fewer of them on the market, which increases the selling price.

Much less often than an ordinary colorless diamond, its colored crystals grow in the depths of the earth. After cutting, they produce magnificent diamonds with rare shades - yellow, cognac, red, pink, blue. These specimens will surpass emeralds in price. After all, if millions of carats of transparent stones are mined per year, then bright, pure colored diamonds are counted in dozens.

Blue corundum is more expensive than emerald

Let's compare the emerald with another rare stone. This is a sapphire. Its common color is blue. When choosing color as the main indicator, we emphasize that this tone is the rarest in nature. Hence the high value. Sometimes among the precious crystals there are orange, pinkish, green, red or even black gems.

Sapphire is a representative of corundum. It received its name from the Greeks precisely because of the blue color that titanium impurities give the stone. But diamond surpasses it in hardness. However, a score of 9 is one higher than emerald.

Most often, sapphire deposits are discovered in the southern and eastern parts of Asia (Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, China). Minerals from India are considered the highest quality, and therefore most expensive. We are talking about the province of Kashmir, where treasures the color of night blue are brought from. Unfortunately, production volumes are insignificant, which increases the cost of the crystal significantly. In Rus', azure sapphires, like scarlet rubies, were called by the general word - yakhonty.

When figuring out whether sapphires or emeralds are more expensive, let’s emphasize the uniqueness of the former. Although the quality, size and weight are the same as emerald, it costs more. The average price per carat is 8-10 thousand dollars. And if it is brought from Kashmir, then the price will automatically increase by 5-7%.

Rubies are record holders in price

Red yakhont or ruby ​​is another representative of corundum, its strength is the same as that of sapphire. The indicator is 9, which is higher than the hardness of emerald. Among the shades, the richest purple color is most valued. In the absence of defects and additional impurities in the stones, the minerals are worth fabulous money.

Blood-red rubies with high transparency are even valued at 120 thousand dollars per carat. This is a premium stone. There is a known case when a buyer paid 30 million dollars for a ruby ​​(25.5 carats). History knows no examples of such a sum being paid for an emerald of the specified weight, even the highest quality.

Large yachts are found very rarely. For them, a weight of 40 carats is considered unique.

Once upon a time, a huge ruby ​​weighing 951 carats was mined in India. But this figure is nothing compared to emerald nuggets. After all, it happens that they weigh several tens of thousands of carats.

This uneven ratio makes the ruby ​​more valuable.

Rubies and emeralds of the same size and quality are valued according to the same criteria as indicated above for other precious minerals. Among the red yachts, those caught in Myanmar (formerly Burma) are valued. The special chemical composition makes Burmese crystals burn with fire.

Having such an amazing visual effect, Burmese rubies force jewelry lovers to pay tens of times more money for them than, for example, for Thai stones. In daylight, these minerals take on a brownish tint, causing sellers to lower their prices.

Only pink rubies are cheaper than emeralds, and the blood-red stone seems to shout: “Choose me and don’t spare the money.” Which is what wealthy buyers end up doing. And those who cannot afford it choose, for example, topaz inserted into a gold frame.

First considered a diamond

It is no coincidence that we mentioned topaz as a replacement. This semi-precious stone is several times cheaper. And with appropriate processing it looks very impressive. Moreover, due to the variety of colors, the mineral can imitate garnet, emerald and sapphire. Of course, these will be paler shades, but the play of light in the edges gives a very strong shine and beauty.

Topaz is mined in the Ilmen Mountains of Russia. This is the largest deposit in the world. The stone is considered a heavyweight due to its dense structure. The mineral even withstands the fight against hydrochloric acid. For some time it was even called the Siberian diamond.

Transparent specimens are inexpensive; only those colored blue and pink by nature are valued. Topaz cannot compete in price with emeralds. But some of its copies are of interest to collectors. For example, a blue crystal weighing 2 kg 117 g found in Ukraine was even noted in textbooks on mineralogy.

Next to agate and gold

Agate is mined in the Urals, Mongolia, Germany, Uruguay, and India. This is an ornamental semi-precious stone, but of extraordinary beauty, which, when processed, imitates precious minerals. Varieties of green crystals are mined on the shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara.

There are several classifications of precious stones, which are based on characteristics such as hardness or light scattering of the stone, mineral composition, crystallographic features, and prevalence in nature. That is why the division into precious and stones is very arbitrary.

For the first time, the division into types of precious stones was proposed by M. Bauer in 1896. Later, many scientists addressed the improvement of this issue, including A.E. Fersman and V.I. Sobolevsky.

It is customary to divide jewelry stones into three types: precious, semi-precious and ornamental.

Gems

Precious stones are minerals that are distinguished by their particular brilliance, beauty and play of color, or strength and hardness, and which are used as jewelry.

According to a simplified classification, first grade precious stones are: diamond, sapphire, chrysoberyl, ruby, emerald, alexandrite, spinel, lal, euclase.

The second grade of precious stones are: topaz, aquamarine, red, phenacite, demantoid, bloodstone, hyacinth, opal, almandine, zircon.

Diamond and brilliant are the same stone, which is a type of crystalline carbon. The first name refers to the stone in its natural form, and the second - cut.

There are no such terms as semi-precious and ornamental stones, since they differ from precious stones only in their wider distribution and less pronounced properties, which is also reflected in the price of products with them.

Among the semi-precious stones are: garnet, epidote, turquoise, dioptase, green and variegated tourmalines, rock crystal, chalcedony, light amethyst, sun and moonstone, labradorite.

Ornamental (gemstone) stones include: jade, bloodstone, lapis lazuli, amazonite, labradorite of lower quality, varieties of spar and jasper, smoky and rose quartz, Vesuveman, jet, corals, amber, mother-of-pearl.

Modern classification of jewelry stones

Professional jewelers and mineralogists consider the best and most modern classification proposed by Professor E.Ya. Kievlenko.

The first group includes jewelry (other synonymous names are cut, precious) stones:

Diamond, blue sapphire, emerald, ruby, constituting the first class;

Alexandrite, orange, yellow, purple and green sapphire, noble jadeite, noble black opal, which are included in the second class;

Demantoid, noble spinel, aquamarine, topaz, rhodolite, noble white and fire opal, red tourmaline, moonstone (adularia), which represent the third class;

Blue, green, pink and polychrome tourmaline, turquoise, chrysolite, noble spodumene (kunzite, giddenite), zircon, yellow, green, golden and pink beryl, pyrope, almandine, amethyst, citrine, chrysolite, chrysoprase, which the scientist classified as the fourth class .

The second group classifies ornamental, or stone-cutting, stones:

Rauchtopaz, amber-succinite, hematite-bloodstone, jadeite, rock crystal, lapis lazuli, malachite, jade, aventurine, belonging to the first class;

Agate, cacholong, colored chalcedony, amazonite, heliotrope, rhodonite, rose quartz, iridescent obsidian, labradorite, common opal, belomorite and other opaque iridescent spars, which make up the second class.

The third group is represented by decorative facing stones, including: jasper, written granite, marble onyx, petrified wood, larchite, jet, jaspilite, obsidian, selenite, aventurine quartzite, fluorite, agalmatolite, colored marble, patterned flint.

Is topaz semi-precious or precious stone? This issue is not at all difficult to understand, but why then did the confusion arise? It appeared because the stone has excellent characteristics, it is in demand, and it is very expensive. It is for this reason that disputes about whether topaz belongs to one or another group of minerals have not subsided to this day, and in disputes, as we know, the truth is born.

Natural blue topaz

Why is it called precious?

The topaz gemstone has been known to humanity for quite some time. Certain characteristics of the gem, or rather its hardness, became the reason why crowns and symbols of power were encrusted with topazes.

Kings and monarchs loved crystals of various shades, assigning magical properties to them. Since the range of colors of topaz is amazing, it had many properties.

If you delve into the problem, you can immediately encounter problems, since in some countries topaz is classified as a precious stone, and in others - as a semi-precious stone.

In our country, such issues are resolved through legislation, but in some countries the laws are different. For this reason, topaz is regarded as a precious mineral, and the reason for this is not only the characteristics of the stone, but also its cost.

The rarest and most expensive are blue topazes; there are very few such stones left in nature. Most of the deposits that are familiar to humanity have almost completely exhausted themselves. The cost of such gems is very high.

But the technologies that people have owned since ancient times help combat the shortage. Minerals that are not brightly colored must be processed; they go through a refining procedure. The crystals are heated and exposed to radiation. As a result of processing, minerals become bright and acquire the desired shade.

It is difficult to recognize a substitution, since at its core, a crystal that has gone through the refining procedure is the same topaz that meets all the requirements. Only a bright color or shade can reveal the synthetic origin of a mineral, because those stones that are found in the bowels of the earth are distinguished by a soft color.

In our country, topaz is a semi-precious stone; it is not included in the list of precious stones for the reason that at the moment there are quite a lot of deposits in the world where topazes of various colors are mined.

Place of Birth

Today, several countries are engaged in topaz mining. The largest deposits of this stone are located in the following countries:

• Brazil, where high-quality stones are mined, is distinguished by its deep color and large size. Blue and light blue topazes are called Brazilian sapphires.
• Russia, on the territory of our country there is one of the largest deposits of topaz, it is located in the Urals. In these places it is possible to find stones of a golden and yellow hue.
• Madagascar, where large gems are mined, are distinguished by their quality and are quite expensive.

In Brazil, they managed to find a stone weighing about 1.5 kg, it was called “Mirabella”; the topaz was distinguished by its blue color, which was comparable only to the beauty of the sky.

“Mirabella” is unique, but it is still inferior in weight to topaz, which was found on the territory of Ukraine back in the days of the USSR. The weight of the mined crystal was about 120 kilograms. The topaz was the color of white wine.

Jewelers' point of view

Oddly enough, jewelry craftsmen are not too fond of working with these stones. The reason for the high hardness of topaz is the difficulty of cutting and processing.

Earrings with topaz

Most often, crystals are shaped:

1. Oval.
2. Circle.
3. Cabochon.

Fancy cutting methods are also used in crystal processing. The stone can also be given the shape of a rectangle, but this cutting method is used mainly for processing emeralds.

Gold is considered the best setting for topaz - this metal emphasizes the beauty of the gem and makes it brighter. In the store you can find jewelry made of platinum or silver. Silver is rarely used because this metal is not very expensive and is mostly used for making inexpensive jewelry.

On store shelves you can find the following products inlaid with stones:

• rings and rings;
• brooches and pendants;
• earrings and bracelets.

Topaz set in gold or platinum is an expensive pleasure, especially if the crystal is large in size or bright in color. But in the world of jewelry, there is a high risk of stumbling upon a fake. Most often, topaz is disguised as:

1. Tinted quartz (known as rauchtopaz, has a smoky tint).
2. Rock crystal (this type of quartz is often passed off as those minerals that have no color).
3. Aquamarine (it is tinted and passed off as an expensive and rare blue topaz).

So, when choosing jewelry, you should be vigilant, ask the seller for a certificate and understand the origin of the gem. Fake stones have a trade name that has nothing to do with topaz, although you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the price tag.

But if the jewelry is really inlaid with topazes, then they should be protected from falls and mechanical damage. If a ring or ring falls onto the floor from a height, the crystal may crumble into fragments due to its high hardness. The products also do not tolerate contact with reagents and sunlight.

The rays of the sun are dangerous; under their influence, topaz fades, and this happens unevenly. The process may take several years. But to prevent the sun from harming the mineral, it is recommended to wear jewelry in the evening and store it away from the sun’s rays in a dark and preferably cool place.

There is one interesting case that was told by a security guard at one of the museums. He went out into the hall while checking the room and noticed that one of the exhibits had changed color. This observation specifically concerned topaz - it simply faded under the rays of the sun.

What stones are considered precious?

Not only a jeweler and a gemologist can understand stones. Such knowledge will also be useful to jewelry lovers. When choosing a product in a store or boutique, you should understand what exactly you will have to pay for.

• diamonds;
• sapphires;
• rubies;
• emeralds;
• alexandrites.

Eternal value, a sign of wealth and high position in society, is a diamond, whether processed or unprocessed. The stone has high characteristics and is the hardest material on Earth. The cost of diamonds is extremely high, especially when it comes to those gems that do not have defects, are large in size or have a rare shade.

Sapphires are blue corundums, which are also classified as precious stones. Sapphires are distinguished by high characteristics, they are expensive and are valued not only by jewelers, but also by collectors.

Ruby is another variety of corundum, but these stones must have a red tint. Corundums have been called by various names since the 19th century. The most valuable and rare rubies are those mined in Asia.

Emerald is a type of beryl; the most valuable stones are of a bright green hue; they are mined in Colombia.

Alexandrites are expensive only because their mining has almost completely stopped. The large deposit that existed in the Urals exhausted itself quite a long time ago. Alexandrites are found during the development of ore deposits, but such finds are sporadic.

Pearls are also considered precious in our country, but only those pearls that are of natural origin, and not cultured pearls, fall under this concept.

This leads to the conclusion that topaz is a semi-precious stone. However, gems began to be divided according to these concepts relatively recently; this happened in the 19th century. And at that time, all crystals that were highly valuable and rarely found in nature were called precious.

The discovery of a deposit of one or another mineral immediately made the stones semi-precious, since the cost of them decreased, and they no longer fell under the concept of “rare”.

When wondering whether topaz is a precious or semi-precious stone, you should not rely only on today. Yes, today this mineral has nothing to do with precious ones, but who knows what will happen tomorrow? It is possible that in a few decades, topaz will significantly increase in price and diamonds, rubies and sapphires will become in demand.

In order to understand how the value of precious stones is assessed, you need to remember four parameters: color, cut, clarity and carat weight. This technique was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, and was called the 4C methodology (color, cut, clarity, carat weight).
Of course, the cost of precious stones is determined not only by these qualities, but also by such factors as the rarity of the crystal in nature, the demand for it, the absence/presence of pre-sale processing, which visually improves the appearance of the stone, and a number of other indicators. But in general, it is impossible to do without assessing these four parameters.
There is no unique recipe for all stones. Therefore, let's try to figure out what factors for each stone will determine its price.

Agate

There are more than a hundred types of this mineral. The most valuable are Brazilian agate, fire agate, moss agate and sapphirine. Stones from different deposits differ both in pattern and color. Therefore, the price of agate can fluctuate within from 1-2 dollars per gram to 100-200 dollars per stone.

Aquamarine

The uniqueness of this stone is that scientists have never been able to grow it in laboratory conditions. This means that when buying aquamarine, you can be sure that this is a natural gem. Sometimes other minerals can be passed off as it, but, as a rule, it is extremely difficult to confuse them with the original. The color of aquamarine can range from bright blue or greenish to a very light, almost white shade. But, as a rule, the color of the crystal does not significantly affect the cost. Aquamarine is distinguished from other varieties of beryl by its high transparency and, as a result, beautiful shine. Rarely are aquamarines with a cat's eye or star effect. Star stones cost more than clear crystals. Transparent aquamarines weighing over 10 carats are valuable to jewelers. The price of such crystals starts from 250 dollars per carat. Smaller stones cost about $30-60 per carat.

Alexandrite

The uniqueness of this stone lies not only in its unconditional beauty and ability to change color under different lighting conditions, but also in the fact that the combination of factors under which alexandrite appears is extremely rare in nature. This is why it is very difficult to obtain jewelry with natural alexandrite. For the most part, these stones are either bought up by collectors or are generally prohibited for sale in some states. Alexandrites from the Urals are considered the highest quality and most expensive. Because they lack red and brown tones in color. In general, the richer and cooler the tones of the crystal (blue-green and purple-pink are considered ideal), the more expensive the stone will be. Alexandrite prices start from $2,500 per carat and can reach 40,000.

Amethyst

The most expensive of the varieties of quartz. Unlike most precious stones, the price of an amethyst depends little on its weight. Much more important in his assessment is the color intensity. The most expensive class of amethysts is called “Siberian”, since the most intense and dark amethysts were previously mined in Siberia. These are dark purple crystals with a pink or blue tint. The second criterion is clarity. A high-quality amethyst should be transparent and free of inclusions. The cut of the crystal can also play a role in the cost, but only if it is done by hand and is fancy. You can purchase a transparent stone of moderate intensity purple color for 8-25 dollars per carat. But the “Siberian” variety can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars.

Beryl

Classic beryl is a transparent stone of pale green or apple green color. Although it is also found in other colors. The main criterion for evaluating beryl is transparency. Large crystals often contain inclusions and cracks, which reduce the price of the stone. Clean, so-called “noble” beryls are extremely rare. So the price of such a stone will be about $50-100 per carat. The yellow variety of the stone, heliodor, is most often found in jewelry. Its average price fluctuates from 20 to 100 dollars per carat. Well, the most expensive variety is red beryl, also known as bixbite. It is extremely rare to find on sale. Stones weighing more than a carat are extremely rare and almost impossible to acquire. Bixbite prices start at $2,500 per carat.

Turquoise

Despite the fact that jewelry with turquoise is quite common, it is quite difficult to find a gem-quality stone among them. As a rule, dyed howlite or pressed turquoise are sold under the guise of turquoise - these are beads or cabochons obtained from turquoise stone chips of rather low quality. Gemstones include natural or stabilized (waxed to preserve color and increase durability) turquoise. Ideally, such a stone should be bright blue in color and have very thin veins, or even be pure blue. Natural precious turquoise is not polished. In jewelry it is found in the form of a solid stone. The price of such a mineral will fluctuate within from 120 to 180 $ per gram. That is, about 25 – per carat.

Pomegranate

By this name, gemologists mean a group of about ten different precious minerals. The main criterion in evaluating a garnet is its color: the more uniform and saturated it is, the higher the price will be. For garnets that have an alexandrite effect, the cost is also influenced by the degree of color contrast and their brightness. As a rule, gem-quality garnets should not contain inclusions or cracks, and finding such a crystal is not difficult. Gems larger than two carats are rare, so their price can be extremely high. Approximate prices for different types of this gem per carat look like this: Demantoid - emerald green. From 100 to 5000 $.
Grossular is a bright green. From 700 to 5000 $.
Mandarin (Spessartine) - bright orange. From 200 to $1000.
Small (spessartine) - pinkish-red to orange. From 130 to 500 $.
Rhodolite – red to purple from $100 to $400.
Other varieties are yellow, brown, light green, red. $40 and up.

Emerald

The most important parameter for determining the price is color. It should be rich green. Not too dark and not too light. This means that, all other things being equal, a stone with a classic emerald green color with a bluish tint will cost more than a yellow-green light emerald or almost black one. The next most important property is cleanliness. The presence of inclusions is very characteristic of this mineral, so a fairly large stone, in which their number is minimal, can cost from ten thousand dollars per carat. The cut is also important, as if done correctly, it helps hide inclusions and cracks. With a good combination of these three factors, the cost of the stone increases in proportion to its weight. Most gem-quality emeralds do not exceed 2 carats in weight. Such a stone will cost from 500 to 1000 dollars per carat. But an emerald over 3 carats can be more expensive than a ruby ​​or diamond of the same weight.

cat's eye

In jewelry, this is the name given to a variety of chrysoberyl in which, when cut as a cabochon, a bright white stripe is visible in the center of the stone, which shifts when it is turned. And although other types of minerals can also have a similar effect, it is most clearly expressed in chrysoberyl. And, in addition, such a cat's eye follows immediately after sapphire and ruby ​​on the hardness scale, so products made from it are durable. In terms of price on the jewelry market, such a stone can easily compete with sapphire, and the largest specimens can be equal in price to diamonds of the same weight. The average price of such a stone will be 40-100 dollars/carat.

Lapis lazuli

Refers to ornamental stones. Minerals of dark blue (indigo) and violet colors are especially valued by craftsmen. They are used in jewelry. As a rule, silver is used as a setting for lapis lazuli. The cost of a good quality stone is low - about 2$ per gram. A cabochon will cost 3-8 dollars.

Moon rock

What makes this mineral unique is its ability to irradiate (a special play of light that gives the crystal a mystical radiance). Moonstone prices and costs can vary depending on its size and quality. The main factors are color, transparency and size. Sri Lankan gems are considered the most expensive. They have a delicate blue color and good transparency. Such a crystal can cost up to $75 per carat, although most often, moonstone is valued in grams, since it is classified as semi-precious. You can buy belomorite from Karelian deposits from 2.5 to 20 $ per gram.

Ruby

One of the most expensive gems. A direct relative of sapphire, ruby ​​has a slightly larger number of inclusions, so the purity of the stone plays an important role in its evaluation. Color is also of great importance. The ideal ruby ​​should be a deep purple. Both lighter and darker crystals are available, but they will cost less. Refining it also reduces the cost of a ruby. For example, when excess inclusions are removed from a stone due to heating. Crystals that are mined nowadays rarely weigh more than 3-4 carats after processing. In addition to color, clarity and size, the value of a ruby ​​depends on where it is mined, but in general, the value of a gem-quality crystal will fluctuate from 100 to 15,000 $ per carat.

Sapphire

The second most popular gem after the diamond. High hardness and, as a result, durability make this mineral one of the most desirable for most buyers. Sapphires can be almost any color except red. But cornflower blue crystals are considered the most expensive. Since sapphires have good clarity and transparency, the determining factors for evaluation are color, size and the absence of refining procedures. For example, to make a crystal brighter, it can be heated, this reduces its cost. A sapphire that has been heat enhanced will cost around $300-600 per carat. A stone that has not been subject to heat treatment, but at the same time has a good even color and clarity from $1000 per carat.

Tanzanite

One of the rarest and most beautiful minerals on Earth. Jewelry-quality crystals are mined exclusively in Tanzania, which is where it got its name. In all other places, tanzanite does not correspond to the color for which it is so highly valued. What makes tanzanite unique is its ability to change color in three different ways depending on the light: from deep blue to yellow-green to purple. Most often, a natural mineral needs to be heated in order to remove brown spots from its color. Deep blue stones weighing over 2 carats are highly valued. Large jewelry tanzanites are rare in nature, therefore, the greater the weight of the stone, the more it will cost. A gem weighing a carat will cost the owner at 200-950 dollars. And stones over 10 carats will cost from $400 per carat and above.

Topaz

Almost all colors of topaz are found in nature, with the exception of pure green. The most valuable are two-color crystals, as well as purple, red and pink topazes (imperial). Gold, blue and transparent varieties are a little cheaper. Sometimes the stone can be processed to give it a more noble color. This naturally reduces its price. Polychrome topaz from deposits of Ukraine (blue with a transition to light brown) costs about $48 per carat. The price of other topazes per carat is approximately as follows:
Red- $ 300 — 1000 .
Rich pinks $ 100 — 500 .
Imperial Topaz $100 — 400 for stones of about 5 carats; and 50 - 200 for 1-2 carat inserts.
Yellow and golden brown - less than $50.
Sky blue – $ 0,75-1,5.
London blue - $ 3-4,5.
Royal Blue - $ 3,5-10 .

Tourmaline

Under this name lies a whole range of precious stones of various colors. The value of tourmaline lies in its exceptional purity and the fact that large gem-quality stones are quite common. The price will be affected by the color of the mineral and its intensity. Regular good quality tourmaline costs in the range 25-150 dollars per carat. In nature, there are stones with a smooth transition of two or even three colors. The price of such crystals depends on the contrast of color combinations and their brightness, but on average it is about $1,000/carat. Blue-green variety - Paraiba will cost $300-5000 per carat.

Amber

This is fossilized tree resin. The stones differ in shades from almost white to dark brown, as well as in the degree of transparency: from completely cloudy to crystal clear. Only a very small percentage of mined gems is suitable for making jewelry. This also explains the relatively high price of amber products.

The price of the finished stone will be determined by the original dimensions, complexity of processing (sometimes more than half of the original weight is lost during polishing) and transparency. The most expensive amber is the one that contains frozen inclusions (usually insects). Such gems can cost thousands of dollars. Well, the average price of processed stone is 2-3 dollars per gram.