Azurite Values and Pricing

High-quality Azurite is affordable in sizes ranging from 5 to 25 carats and the cost per carat is between $3.00 to $10.00 per carat. Most of the cabochons you’ll see at gem shows will be medium-grade blue with a green mixed in from time to time. The green color you see is Malachite and it is common to see these two minerals together.

Azurite comes in light blue, blue, and dark blue. Most of the cabochon will be medium to dark blue. If you’re dealing with specimens and Azurite crystals then the crystals should be a rich, dark blue color with a nice crystal shape.

The main sources of Azurite are Pakistan, China, and Morocco to name a few.

 

 

 

How to determine value and cost

When determining the value of the gemstone you will be using GIA guidelines which means color, clarity, carat weight, and cut.  You’ll want to look at each one of these individually and then circle back when finished to evaluate the stone as a whole.

Color is going to be the most important factor when determining the value of gemstones.  Clarity and carat weight are tied for the second most important factor.

Before you go any further you need to ensure you have identified Azurite correctly.

 

Color – The more intense the color the more valuable the stone is.  When dealing with warm colors, think of red and orange, you’ll want to determine if there are brown undertones.  If you can’t see brown undertones then the color should be very vibrant.  The more vibrant and saturated the color the more expensive the gemstone.  If the gemstone has a unique “neon-like glow” then it will demand the highest price per carat.

With Azurite you’ll want to see a nice dark blue color that is uninterrupted. The richer the blue the better.

 

Clarity – Buyers, and collectors prefer stones with no internal inclusions visible to the eye. Azurite crystals can be found with visible inclusions all the way to flawless.  To determine the clarity ranking you’ll need at a minimum a 10x loop and a higher-powered microscope to confirm internally flawless and flawless designations.

If you can visibly see the inclusion while holding the gemstone then the highest designation would be SI1 and if the inclusion detracts from the overall beauty of the stone then the clarity designation would be I1 – I3.

Clarity designations – FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3

 

 

Carat – Azurite be found in sizes ranging from below 1 carat to above 100 carats or more.  Generally speaking, Azurite can be sourced in most carat weights. The larger crystals with high clarity will bring a higher price per carat due to rarity.

 

Cut – It is sad to say but cut has the least impact on value and cost unless it affects the stone in an extreme way.  For example, when you look at the stone you would be able to see through it which means light is not being reflected back to the eye.  This is called a window in the stone and it would have to be quite large to impact the price.  The other extreme would occur when you look at a stone and see a rough circle or oval shape inside the stone.  This occurs when the stone is very shallow and it’s reflecting the rough girdle inside the stone.  Note: the girdle is the edge/side of the stone where the pavilion and crown meet.

Faceted Azurite is on the rare side and you’ll probably never come across it.

 

 

 

Azurite Valuations and Pricing

Medium to Large Azurite Cabochons = $5.00- $25.00 price per carat

• Easily sourced online or at your local rock and mineral show
• Cabochons, beads, and free-form cut stones are common

 

 

Azurite Specimens = $50.00 – $1,000.00

• Price is dependent on size
• Sold by the piece
• Azurite crystals on matrix are rare and will demand a premium

 

How valuable is Azurite?

Azurite has never brought a higher dollar per carat because the demand for a soft stone cut into a cabochon with a dark blue color is not there. However, the Azurite crystal specimens are in demand and will continue to increase in price.

 

Values of Azurite will not increase over time

Each year I do research on market prices for Azurite and prices for small to mid-sized stones are fairly constant. If I was looking to add Azurite to my collection then I would try to source crystal clusters with larger crystals mixed in with smaller crystals. These will increase over time.

If you’re not sure how to value a gemstone then you should consider a gemstone appraisal. Individuals acquiring gemstones through inheritance, estate sales, and auctions typically have the gemstone appraised to determine the value and to ensure the gem is what they think it is.