Value Guides
Plain-English answers to one question: what is this stone actually worth? Each guide gives a clear verdict, a value rating out of five, and an honest price range — never a single tempting figure.
Aquamarine
Colour is everything — pale vs deep “Santa Maria” blue.
Amethyst
Abundant and cheap — pay for colour grade, not carat.
Citrine
Most “citrine” is heat-treated amethyst. Here’s the fair price.
Tiger’s Eye
Pay only for a sharp chatoyant “eye” — not dye or glass.
Carnelian
Mostly heat-treated/dyed agate. Pay for natural translucency.
Garnet
From $5/ct red to $5,000/ct green — the type is everything.
Carved Gemstones
Workmanship vs material — what you actually pay for.
Gemstone Spheres
Size and dye tricks, and the fair price for a decorative orb.
Opal
Body tone & colour play decide everything.
Peridot
Buy the green — a vivid olive is the premium.
Topaz
Cheap treated blue vs rare imperial — know which.
Moonstone
A strong, clear blue sheen is the whole price.
Labradorite
Rare flash colours command the premium.
Lapis Lazuli
Deep, even blue — and watch for dye.
Turquoise
Stabilized is cheap; fine natural is the prize.
Onyx
Dyed agate — the value is in the cut.