Helidore (Beryl)
Date - Pricing as of April 2008

Color: Light to intense yellow, yellow/green, yellow/gold.

Note: Most of the commercial rough and faceted Helidore available is not genuine color. The material is natural, but it is often irradiated to obtain the color.

There is real natural Helidore around and a collector's market for it. As for the commercial market, I suspect most people either do not know or care that often the material is irradiated. In any case it is pretty difficult to tell if the material has been irradiated.

Note2: Generally if the Helidore is from Pakistan area I assume it has been irradiated. Some times I get Helidore in parcels of Aquamarine from African and Brazil. These stones in general I assume are natural. The colors of irradiated material and natural are fairly easy to tell apart for some one with experience. I increase the price for known natural material.

Note3: Generally I increase the price for size over 5 carats clean, especially in a none rectangle shapes. I also increase the price for natural material if known.

Pale (almost colorless to 15% tone) - Pale to light saturation.
Comments - This material actually can be valuable, especially when cut into a large interesting design.
Pricing - In general pricing this material is some what dependent on size, the larger the stone the better the color shows. I generally price this material $24/ct to $65/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Light (15% tone to 30%) - Light saturation.
Comments - This material is valuable and I sell it faceted quite well, especially when cut into a large interesting design.
Pricing - Pricing this material is still about labor in smaller sizes. I generally price this material $32/ct to $90/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Light/Medium (30% tone to 45%) - Light/medium saturation.
Comments - This material is valuable and not always easy to acquire in larger sizes clean. I cut this material in the medium to large size ranges and typically use unique designs
Pricing - I generally price this material $38/ct to $125/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Medium (45% tone to 65%) - Medium saturation.
Comments - This material probably about the best average range for Helidore. I cut this material in the small to large size ranges and typically use unique designs
Pricing - I generally price this material $90/ct to $165/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Special - As we all know as cutters some times a stone just comes out "special" for what ever reason. On these kinds of stones I basically price how ever I feel like. Because this stone comes under the "special" category I often do not care if I sell the stone or not. So I usually price it high enough that if I do sell it, I get a very good price. Enough to make me say "Oh well..." and sell it. So be aware that some times I just price a stone high because I do not care if I sell it. Ironically these stones usually sell the fastest...

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E-mail to inquire or order: jeff@faceters.com