To understand the pricing of synthetics, the various methods and costs of production and promotion must first be understood.
Since the initial introduction of synthetic material on the market, many firms have undertaken to create large markers for these stones. At one time, many of the synthetic gems were manufactured by only one firm exclusively, and allocated to a single distributor but today this is rarely the case.
The synthetic stones that have received the widest acceptance initially are probably star sapphires and rubies, which were marketed effectively by the Linde organization and a German licensee. But even these were met with more consternation than joy in the beginning. However, at least initially, it must be said that the result was more interest in natural star rubies and sapphires than had been evidenced prior to the introduction of the synthetic material. Synthetic star ruby and sapphire are considerably more expensive to produce than the transparent varieties, and rigid quality controls are imposed by the manufacturers of the boules. The Linde Company is no longer in the synthetic gem production field and their inventory of gem materials was sold off in 1975 to Astrid Inc. Ltd of Hong Kong.
The Chatham rubies and the Kashan rubies are vastly higher in price than the flame-fusion product. For cut gem quality, the Chatham First quality ruby suggested retail prices range from $ 24 carat for sizes 0.21 to 0.99 carat, to $400 per carat fors sizes of 3.00 to 3.99 carats. Chatham created gem is no longer selling faceting rough but is selling rough crystal groups for jewelry. The prices of the Kashan product for faceted stones one carat and above is $500 for premium grade. $400 per carat for Fine grade, and $150 per carat for Good grade.
Chatham created blue sapphire is sold only as crystal clusters and
wholesale for $24 to $96 per carat depending upon volume. The price of synthetic alexandrite like spinels is an exception
to the figures quoted ( because it is so seldom encountered that the
factor of rarity enters into value considerations. Laboratories are
asked to identify just a few of these stones each year. Most of those
examined in the past have been mounted in elaborate diamond-and-platinum
jewelry worthy of genuine alexandrite, and it is assumed that they were
mistaken for the natural stone when the jewelry was made.
Two other flame-fusion synthetics, rutile, and strontium titanate also require special handling; which increases production costs appreciably above those of transparent corundum and spinel. The result is an average price to retailers of approximately $40 to $64 per carat for cut rutile, which is sold directly to all dealers in both rough and cut form, and $63 to $96 per carat for strontium titanate.
Synthetic emeralds produced by the flux method require many months for production; therefore, they are very costly in relation to the flame-fusion stones. Since this method of production results in a large number of inclusions in many of the crystals lit is advantageous to grade the stone comprehensively for quality as well as price. Emerald cuts, square cuts, round brilliants and fancy shapes are offered by Chatham in the following grades: Gem quality, Fine quality, and A and B qualities. Gem quality starts at $30 per carat for 0.21 - to 0.99-carat sizes and increases to $1000 per carat for stones in the 3.00 - 3. 99 carat bracket. Prices decrease proportionately for the intermediate sizes and qualities. Oval, round and pear-shaped cabochons, cut from A and B quality materials only, are offered at prices ranging from $400 per carat for B quality stones 0.21 to 0.99 carat to $600 per carat for stones 3.00 to 3.99 carats. Round, square and rectangular calibre cut stones under 0.20 carat are listed at $1250 per carat in Gem quality.
