When jewels and jewelry come to mind, a diamond is pictured, more often than not. Although timeless, diamonds no longer reign supreme as times are changing. Just as the jewelry business is dependent on trends, the same applies to gems. So what gems exactly are hot right now, and which are selling at great prices? The answer: sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. But how did this happen? Here’s what you need to know.
Color Gemstones, Defined
The term “color gemstones” is used to refer to any gem or jewel that is colored and is not a diamond. While colored diamonds exist (such as pink or red diamonds), they are excluded from this category as they are still considered diamonds. There are a wide variety of different colored gemstones around the world, but the top three most popular gems are sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
The Rise Of Colored Gemstones
The popularity of colored gemstones has grown in recent years, thanks to the British Royals and celebrities. Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with a beautiful 12-carat sapphire ring made famous by his late mother, Princess Diana. One of Victoria Beckham’s engagement rings is a stunning oval ruby; JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy with an emerald. Colored gemstones offer more personality and diversity in comparison to colorless diamonds.
This particular rise in gemstone demand was predicted by Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index in 2019. The report indicated that the jewelry industry experienced a five percent decline that year, except with these colored gemstones. The company anticipated that sapphires, emeralds, and rubies would surpass the per-carat price of colorless diamonds, which is exactly what happened with the Rockefeller emerald.
The 18.04 carat Rockefeller emerald sold for $305,516 per carat, which sold for eight percent more than the whopping Archduke Joseph, a 76.02-carat colorless diamond that sold for $282,545 per carat. With this comparison of numbers, it’s no secret that colored gemstones, specifically rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, are growing in demand for auction houses.
Individual And Eccentric Shine Brightly
Another reason why colored gemstones have grown popular is due to the rarity and uniqueness. Over the years, auction buyers have been steering more towards gems with vibrant colors and clarity thanks to bold contemporary trends. What matters most with colored gemstones is not what shape or how big the jewel is, but how vibrant and distinctive it is. Auction houses like Joshua Kodner have various collections of sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, all special and stunning in either design or color.
Buying And Selling Your Antiques And Gems
Are you interested in selling or buying colored gemstones? It’s important to trust a reputable auction house that knows what they’re doing and has years of experience, like Joshua Kodner. With over half a century of family history in jewelry auctions, Joshua Kodner is a proud gemologist, certified appraiser, and a licensed auctioneer. If you are interested in selling your colored gemstones or looking to purchase authentic antiques, visit our website. Contact our team today.
