Carat weight?

[ger100]

Is there a real big difference in price for a stone which is 2.99 ct vs one which is exactly 3.00? Can 0.01 carat make a major difference? (I know that this is called a "light" 3 cts)

Thanks
Ger

 

[jeffwhite]

It depends on the stone in question. For many high-end gem materials (emeralds, rubies, sapphires, etc.), you will sometimes see a large jump in price. This is simply due to the perception that the 3 ct stone is so much larger and more scarce than the 2.99 ct stone (people only remember that first number). It is the same principle at work with many retail prices. When you see prices like "19.95" or "299.95," you can bet the retailer is playing off this same perception issue. 299.95 seems so much cheaper than 300.00, even though there is no real difference....

 

[musey]

ditto above poster, good explanation!

 

[Richard M.]

I agree with most of what Jeff posted but you really can''t generalize much with color.

Most of the price breaks in the publication that many sellers consult for colored gem valuation are from 1/2 to 1 ct., 1 to 3 cts., 3 to 5 cts., and so on -- depending on the gem. Within weight ranges there can be several price breaks depending on quality, which overall is the most important pricing factor. Quality categories are generally thought of as commercial, good, fine and extra-fine. They''re arrived at on the basis of color, clarity and excellence of cut.

Some gems are just plain scarce and command very high prices in small sizes, even with obvious imperfections. Others, like aquamarine, actually decline in per carat price after reaching around 25 carats -- they''re too big and awkward to function well in most jewelry.

Diamond valuation is very different than colored gems, with specific weight/valuation ranges where a point or two of weight can make a big value difference. Hope this helps.

Richard M.