Smokey (Quartz)
Date - Pricing as of April 2008

Color: Smokey gray to copper, Citrine

Note: Most of the commercially faceted Smokey Quartz's available are not genuine Smokey, the material is natural, but it is often irradiated to obtain the color. There is real natural Smokey Quartz 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.

Note: Generally I do not agree with lowering the price of a faceted stone as it gets larger. But in the case of smokey Quartz, I some times do lower the per/carat cost as a gemstone becomes larger to help off set the difference in cost and the labor. In other words the cost of light faceting material is inexpensive and as a stone gets larger the cost of the gemstone can be lowered to make the purchase price more reasonable and fair.

Pale (almost colorless to 15% tone) - Pale to light Gary to copper/Citrine.
Comments - This material actually can be valuable, especially when cut into a large spectacular design. The gray is less valuable and usually as the material gets a smokey Citrine color it is more valuable. The smokey copper color is considered the best and brings more money.
Pricing - In general pricing this material is more about cutting labor than any thing else. I generally price this material $6/ct to $18/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Light (15% tone to 30%) - Light Smokey, light gray to copper/Citrine.
Comments - This material actually is valuable and I sell it faceted quite well, especially when cut into a large spectacular design. The gray is less valuable and usually as the material gets a smokey Citrine color it is more valuable. The smokey copper color is considered the best and brings more money in my experience.
Pricing - Pricing this material is still about labor. I generally price this material $18/ct to $24/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Light/Medium (30% tone to 45%) - Smokey, gray to copper/Citrine.
Comments - This material is valuable and not always easy to acquire. I cut this material in the medium size ranges and typically use unique designs. The gray is less valuable and usually as the material gets a smokey Citrine color it is more valuable. The smokey copper color is considered the best and brings more money.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. I generally price this material $18/ct to $32/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Medium (45% tone to 65%) - Smokey, gray to copper/Citrine.
Comments - I cut this material in the smaller to medium size ranges and typically use unique designs. The gray is less valuable and usually as the material gets a smokey Citrine color it is more valuable. The smokey copper color is considered the best and brings more money.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. I generally price this material $18/ct to $38/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.

Medium/Dark (65% tone to 85%) - This color is usually too dark to do much with except for small stones.
Comments - I seldom cut this color as I find it too dark. It can often be heated to lighten it and then priced accordingly above.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. Dark it is not worth very much.

Dark (85% tone to 100%) - This material is around, usually very dark brown, keep in mind that heat will often lighten it. But I seldom cut any thing this dark.
Comments - The best use for this material is small (melee) stones so that the color will show. I almost never cut this material, unless I heat it and lighten it first.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. Basically once heated and lightened then I would price in the according saturation and color range..

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