54 PRECIOUS STONES
fifty-two
dollars. These lots are mixed, and as they can be assorted for color,
cut, and perfection, as well as for sizes, they carry a wide range of
value. These lots run from small melee to light two-grainers and
average about six to the carat.
The
demand for fancies is principally in the larger sizes at present. They
are scarce. Fine canaries and browns from one to two carats range from
one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars per carat; two
to three carats, about three hundred dollars per carat. Some very fine
fancies of rare color, from three-fourths carat up, have brought one
thousand dollars per carat and over, lately.
Rubies
are abundant in small sizes and very scarce in large sizes, especially
two carats and over. Good light reds and brilliant rose-color of
one-half carat, fairly clean, sell for from fifty to sixty dollars per
carat. The same in three-fourths carat are worth from seventy-five to
ninety dollars, and in four to six grains, from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty dollars per carat. Fair stones of good color from one
to two carats range from two hundred to five hundred dollars per carat.
Gems run up to one thousand dollars per carat and over.
Light
Cashmere sapphires, India cut, running from one to four or five carats,
cost from ten to twenty-five dollars per carat. This same clean blue in
a deep gem color, well cut and free from noticeable flaws or white
streaks, is worth in those sizes from sixty to one hundred and
twenty-five dollars per carat; in good fair color, twenty-five to fifty
dollars ; in black, flawy or muddy, five to fifteen dollars. Good color
and fairly clean, from three-eighths to three-fourths carat, cost from
fifteen to twenty-five dollars per carat. Good yellow sapphires, from
one carat up, range from fifteen to twenty dollars per carat. Ordinary
fancies, from five to ten dollars.
Emeralds are high. Gem colors, bright, and without noticeable flaws, from one to two carats, bring from two hundred
