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Price of diamond depends on 4C’s i.e. Color, Clarity, Cut & Carat. So, yes, the color of diamond significantly affects its price. However, Clarity, Cut & Carat (weight) also affects the price of diamond significantly.
Diamond is the only gemstone for which quality grade has been mentioned internationally and there is a standard price for different qualities of diamonds listed by Rapaport (http://www.diamonds.net/Prices/RapaportPriceLists.aspx). Rapaport is the primary source of diamond prices used by dealers to establish diamond prices in all the major markets. So, one can say that rapaport is practically the MRP (maximum retail price) list of all qualities of diamonds. However, mostly, one can get certififed diamonds below rapaport price in market.
Certification of gemstones does not indicate the quality of gemstone. Certificate only certifies if the said gemstone is real or fake; and in some cases treated or non-treated.
Quality of gemstone depends on color, clarity, cut and carat (the same 4C’s used for diamonds). Thus, better the quality, better the price and vice-versa.
COLOR: For different gemstone, different shades of color will have varied price. For example: Light blue sapphire will be cheaper while medium-dark blue sapphire will be higher in terms of price but very-dark blue sapphire price would again be cheaper. So, overall, intensity of color in gemstone many not always increase the price.
CLARITY: For different gemstone, different clarity (purity/inclusion) of gemstone will have varied price. For example: amber with an inclusion of lizard/ant will have higher price than a clean amber gemstone. But, generally, the clearer the gemstone the higher the price. (Note: A clean gemstone can also indicate a fake gemstone when price is very low.)
CUT: A better cut gemstone will always have a higher price.
CARAT: The bigger the size of gemstone, the greater the price.
Determining the quality and price of gemstone (color, clarity and cut) is not an easy task for a novice user. An experienced trader can only calculate it based on his/her experience.
Also, you can check out my post on how to identify blue sapphire for more information.
@Srinivasa,
You’re correct regarding the astrological aspect as our Sages may have not known about new gemstones that are available today in the market. However, as a very cheap alternative these less priced gemstones (citrine, yellow topaz, amethyst, iolite etc.) can be used instead of costlier ones. Some alternative (based on astrological aspect) is better than wearing nothing at all.
However, regarding chemical composition of gemstones; different family of gemstones have very different chemical composition and properties, crystal structure, inclusions etc. All Sapphire (Yellow, Blue, White, Green, Pink etc.) and Ruby have same chemical composition with little difference in trace elements for coloring agents (which you’re talking about here) as they belong to the same family/parent i.e. corrundum (http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/corundum). However, other gemstones like Emerald which belongs to Beryl (http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/beryl) family is differnet as regard to chemical composition and same goes for other precious and semi-precious gemstones like pearl, coral, diamond etc. which are very different in chemical composition.
But, I agree that for best astrological effects it is best to wear those gemstones which have been mentioned by our Sages in there scared books of astrology. 🙂
In gemological field there is no precious or semi-precious name. These name were created in trade (way-back) to separate higher priced gemstones from lower priced ones and all gemstomes have different chemical composition & property so they might do differently in astrological sense but the alternatives that I provided are the best ones in case of prices.
As far as I know, it is the light/rays that transmit/reflects from the gemstone to the body matters. And, when someone says that after some time gemstone energy or power degrades it basically means that the gemstone was not cleaned and got dirty and lights could not be reflected or transmitted well from it. So, it is advised to clean gemstones on regular basis so that its refraction/reflection gets properly to the body and surrondings.
@Ritesh,
You can go for a cheaper natural gemstone alternative which I have mentioned below.
Instead of Blue Sapphire you can use Amethyst (comes in blue and violet color). For 5 to 6 carat it would cost around Rs. 400 to 500. Another option which will be little costlier would be Iolite (comes in blue and violet color) which might cost around Rs. 1000 to 1500 for 5 to 6 carat of a decent quality.
And, instead of Yellow Sapphire you can use Citrine (it comes in yellow color) and would also cost around Rs. 400 to 500 for a decent quality of 5 to 6 carat. Another option which will be little costlier than Citrine would be Yellow Topaz (comes in yellow color) which might cost around Rs. 500 to 1000 for a decent quality.
Read the simulants section at this page http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/sapphire which gives an idea which gemstones are similar to Yellow Sapphire and Blue Sapphire. Simulants in gemstone means the stone which appears similar in appearance to a particular stone.
More over, if you would like to buy these gemstones, you can go to ebay.in . If you need my help, let me know!
Sodalite normally comes in blue color and Jasper normally comes in red color. However, both are different gemstones i.e both have different chemical composition, crystal structure, hardness, refractive index, specific gravity etc.
More info:
http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/jasper
http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/sodaliteNate,
From the picture, I can partially confirm that they are aventurine quartz and they are considered as semi-precious gemstone. More info at http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/aventurine-quartz
Sorry for delayed reply. The stone has been sold on the website. I was unable to see its price, however seeing other blue sapphire on the website, I can say that the gemstones are OVER priced. If you’re looking to wear a blue sapphire for astrological purpose then it should be between 4.5 – 5.5 carat. I would suggest you to buy from ebay.com but just avoid Bangkok (Thailand) gemstones as most of them are heat and diffusion treated. Most importantly, from where ever you buy a gemstone always ask for a certificate from a reputable gemmogical lab.
The stone looks like a quartz but cannot make out which variety. Quartz is not a very expensive stone but yes it stil has some value.
@Vivek,
Generally untreated Ceylon Blue Sapphire is quite expensive. For 4.35 carat it would cost around $3k – $5k. Please note that it is difficult to identify origin of gemstone even by using gemmological instruments. So, even if someone is selling you a gemstone (blue sapphire) saying it is from Ceylon (Sri Lanka); it might not be actually from Ceylon and no one will be able to identify its origin.
Since, your budget is okay for a blue sapphire, I would suggest you to go for blue sapphire of any origin as long as it is untreated and natural. But please get it verified from gemmological lab.
I would also suggest you that, if you are buying from local gemstone shop then ask the shopkeeper to first get it verified before making the payment and always check the certificate thoroughly if the size, picture mentioned in the certificate matches with the gemstone or not.
These reddish-brown stones exhibit “dodecahedral” habit which comes in cubic system. So, I am quite sure that these are garnet but cannot make out which variety of garnet are these as that would need some instrument testing.
@syah,
Citrine is a yellow gemstone which is a substitute for yellow sapphire. As per astrology, blue sapphire and yellow sapphire should not be worn together. So, blue sapphire and citrine should not be worn together. For your information, please revert to list of anti-gemstones.
I think Alexandrite is the most expensive gem in the world. Others can be Tanzanite and Paraiba Tourmaline.