Specialty (Topaz)
Date - Pricing as of April 2008

Color: Champagne, tan, pink/champagne, peach, apricot, pink.

There are many types of Topaz, but with a few exceptions like Imperial, Guerrero, or pink Topaz most of them are not valuable.

Note: Most of the Pakistan Topaz that is champagne to pinkish/tan is not color stable and will eventually go colorless in UV light (sun light). So it is basically not worth faceting unless you have a customer that particularly wants the color and type or you just want to cut it for fun.

Note2: All blue Topaz is cost of rough plus labor, there is no other value unless the Topaz is Imperial, Guerrero, or natural pink. The last three can vary significantly in price depending the the supply and the saturation as well as color.

Note3: Natural pink Topaz is a specialty stone and is just priced by the piece. Imperial in larger sizes over 4 carats is becoming a collector stone, and Guerrero is a collector stone over 3 carats clean.

Pale (almost colorless to 15% tone) - Pale to light.
Comments - This material actually can be valuable, especially when cut into a large spectacular design.
Pricing - In general pricing this material is more about cutting labor than any thing else. I generally price this material $8/ct to $18/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.
Pricing - Imperial or Guerrero Topaz $90/ct to $240/ct.

Light (15% tone to 30%) - Light.
Comments - This material actually is valuable and I sell it faceted quite well, especially when cut into a large spectacular design.
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.
Pricing - Imperial or Guerrero Topaz $120/ct to $280/ct.

Light/Medium (30% tone to 45%) - Light to medium saturation.
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
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.
Pricing - Imperial or Guerrero Topaz $180/ct to $360/ct.

Medium (45% tone to 65%) - Medium saturation.
Comments - This material is valuable and not always easy to acquire. I cut this material in what ever the rough needs and typically use unique designs.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. I generally price this material $24/ct to $65/ct and a minimum of $150 for a small stone to cover the labor.
Pricing - Imperial or Guerrero Topaz $220/ct to $480/ct.

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