Colored Stone Update

Colored stone markets are growing. The prices for top quality rubies are too expensive with supply getting difficult. Today Burma and Sri Lanka are the key sources for good quality colored stones + buying rubies and sapphires from the Burmese or Sri Lankan in their territory is not an easy task. They really know the world prices and bargain hard + they have also learned how to say No. Other colored stone species and varieties are also becoming popular. The prices for top quality Colombian emerald have increased more than 25%. Fancy sapphires are popular and selling well. Amethyst, citrine, garnet, tourmaline, topaz, ziron, feldspar have all become popular choices for regular markets + television and internet-based retailers have also helped to promote colored stones. They have made a significant impact, because they not only educate consumers by expanding the gemological vocabulary beyond the mainstream colored stones but also on pricing. Consumers have now become familiar with less known colored stones such as sphene, sphalerite, Paraiba-type tourmalines, zircon, peridot, spinel and much more + new treatments, synthetics and imitations. Unique designers have also adapted to the changing trends promoting colored stones. Consumers are gradually becoming like 'little Buddhas'.