Procedure for Use

1. Prices quoted represent the average cost to retailers from dealers for net cash single stone or small lot purchases. Net cash means payment either by bank wire immediately after, or check within 30 days of receipt. In general, large lot purchases are less expensive while memo and term transactions may be more expensive. Requests for matched pairs or suites of any size or shape will almost always cost more than single stones of the same quality.

2. Palmieri's Market Monitor® uses single stone purchase prices because we have determined these are the most suitable for appraisal, base price purposes. Since most jewelry appraisers apply a replacement value for similar or like merchandise, single stone price listings provide a true basis for such computations and cost approach valuations.

3. Unless otherwise noted, per carat prices are given for stones with good proportions and finish. See proportions and finish section. It is important to remember the acceptance tolerances for colored stones are considerably roader, and the overall appearance is far more important than adherence to excessively strict angles and percentages. As with diamonds, poorly made colored stones will cost less and premier makes will be more costly.

4. When using price/value information for colored stones from Palmieri's Market Monitor® it is recommended that the user have at least a general understanding of the GIA Colored Stone Grading System. Further, the user will greatly enhance the usefulness of this information if they have use of a color matching system. The most complete and thoroughly useful is GIA ColorMaster (no longer available). The most portable and practical are ColorScan (no longer available), GemSet (GIA-friendly version) (not produced since mid-2002).

5. It is highly recommended that all Palmieri's Market Monitor® subscribers take the GIA Colored Stone Grading Course. For hands-on training GIA offers resident classes as well as correspondence courses. For more information go to www.gia.edu. In 2002, GIA made some refinements to this course - some good, some (clarity) bad.

6. Auction results serve multiple functions for the buyer, seller and appraiser. Major New York auctions give general and specific first hand indication of a gem variety's international appeal and demand for specific qualities in the categories of liquidation, fair market value, and competition for consumer dollars for such pieces. Analyzed properly, and monitored carefully, this information can be an invaluable tool for any serious minded jewelers or appraiser. Refer to Auction Market Monitor®.

7. There are no discounts built into Palmieri's Market Monitor® prices. These are actual average cost (wholesale) prices. There is no need to deduct or add percentages to any Palmieri's Market Monitor® prices, except as specified in procedures pertaining to cut or clarity.

8. Burmese Rubies and Kashmir Sapphires: For those stones matching colors that indicate Burma ruby or Kashmir sapphire, you must make positive ID as Burmese or Kashmir. If not, prices listed for the color match do not apply! See same color for general prices.

9. The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is comprised of over 300 of the most important gem dealers in the United States. Many of these dealers are the source of our market value information. AGTA produces advertising materials and advocates disclosure of pertinent information related to colored stones.