Editor’s Note
This article explores a fundamental principle in gemology: how a stone’s geographic origin can dramatically influence its market value, using the iconic Kashmir sapphire as a prime example.
The reasons for this significant impact can be summarized in five points:
Due to differences in geological formations, gemstones from top origins often possess colors or special optical effects that are unmatched by those from other locations.
Scarcity increases value. Gemstones from top origins are often produced in limited quantities, or are even depleted. The imbalance between small supply and high demand continuously drives up the value of these gemstones.
These factors make gemstones from certain top origins the objects of pursuit for royalty, celebrities, and the wealthy worldwide, naturally causing their value to rise steadily.
When making purchases, people often think: if I’m going to buy, I should buy the best, from the original source. For example, buy watches from Switzerland, luxury goods from France, milk powder from Australia… The same logic applies to gemstones.
According to the “China Colored Gemstone Collection Trend Report,” the purchase rate of domestic colored gemstone products has more than doubled in the past five years, with prices rising significantly. They have become one of the most watched and fastest-appreciating jewelry consumer goods.
Given that a desirable origin can significantly increase a gemstone’s price (in some cases by over 15%), confirming a gemstone’s value requires an origin certificate from a major grading laboratory equipped with the necessary tools and expertise to determine geographical origin.
According to current Chinese national standards, all domestic gemstone quality appraisal institutions do not indicate origin information on their appraisal certificates. However, internationally renowned gemological laboratories such as Switzerland’s Gubelin, SSEF, and American laboratories like GIA can issue authoritative origin identification reports for important gemstones. These reports are widely recognized within the international jewelry industry and by collectors.
South America – Top Emerald Origin
Colombian emeralds hold an unshakable position in the jewelry market. Most high-quality emeralds on the market come from here, commanding prices 30-40% higher. Furthermore, only international authoritative certificates from labs like Gubelin, SSEF, American AGL, and GRS can serve as proof. Over the past few hundred years, Colombia has produced nearly 80% of the world’s finest emeralds and still accounts for about 35% of the world’s top-quality emerald production.
Asia – Top Ruby Origin
For over 800 years, the Mogok region has been the source of the finest rubies on the market, a world-class existence. The most顶级 color is known as “Pigeon’s Blood” – a red with sufficiently high saturation and brightness, classified as Vivid Red.
Asia – Top Sapphire Origin
Kashmir sapphires are renowned as the finest among sapphires, representing not just origin significance but also the benchmark for the best commercial-grade sapphires.
Due to the absolute scarcity of Kashmir sapphires, there is hardly a standard market price; high-quality ones are mostly priced through auctions. According to incomplete statistics, from 1979 to 2008, 150 top-quality sapphires were auctioned worldwide, of which 121 were Kashmir sapphires, with auction prices ranging from $39,000 to $135,000 per carat.