Elbaite Tourmaline (watermelon)
Date - Pricing as of March 2007

Color: Green/red/pink, watermelon (green outside red inside like the fruit)

Note: The real classic watermelon material has a green outside and a peach/pink/red interior, like a watermelon. Often in the trade a pink/green crystal will be called watermelon or Elbaite, although technically it is a bicolor.

Note2: I price the material higher as the colors become more red and green. The more intense the colors of course the more money. Also how well the different colors can be seen in the finished gemstone. The more distinctive the colors, the more expensive.

Pale (almost colorless to 15% tone) - Pale green/peach/pink/red.
Comments - This material is valuable, especially when cut into a design that shows off the different colors.
Pricing - I often price a smaller stone by the piece, not carat, often $175 to $600 depending on the colors. As the stones get larger I generally price this material $125/ct to $300/ct.

Light (15% tone to 30%) - Light green/peach/pink/red.
Comments - This material is valuable and rare, I sell it faceted quite well, especially when cut into unique designs.
Pricing - I generally price this material $190/ct to $480/ct. I often price a smaller stone by the piece, not carat, often $150 to $500 depending on the colors.

Light/Medium (30% tone to 45%) - Light/medium green/peach/pink/red.
Comments - This material is valuable and rare. I cut this material in what ever the rough requires and try for unique designs.
Pricing - I generally price this material $240/ct to $650/ct. I often price a smaller stone by the piece, not carat, often $150 to $500 depending on the colors.

Medium (45% tone to 65%) - Medium green/peach/pink/red.
Comments - This material is the most valuable. I cut this material in what ever the rough requires and try for unique designs.
Pricing - I generally price this material $450/ct to $1450/ct. I often price a smaller stone by the piece, not carat, often $150 to $500 depending on the colors.

Medium/Dark (65% tone to 85%) - Medium/dark green/peach/pink/red.
Comments - This material is valuable and difficult to find. I cut this material in what ever the rough requires and try for unique designs. As the stones get darker orientation is critical.
Pricing - I generally price this material $125/ct to $350/ct. I often price a smaller stone by the piece, not carat, often $150 to $500 depending on the colors.

Dark (85% tone to 100%) - Dark green/peach/pink/red. This material is around and keep in mind that heat will often lighten it, but can also damage the material. I seldom cut any thing this dark.
Comments - The best use for this material is polished slices. I almost never cut this material.
Pricing - Pricing this material is cost of goods and labor. Basically this not facetable, but can bring good money as slices, polished on both sides and thin enough to see color. It may have some carving applications.

Note3: On the medium/dark to dark material heat will usually lighten and brighten the colors, but it will some times cause damage too.

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