Benitoite Values and Pricing

Benitoite is a rare gemstone and thus demands a premium price, sub 1-carat to 3-carat stones will sell for $250.00 to $2,200.00 per carat. Most of the faceted stones will have inclusions and high dispersion with a blueish-purple hue. More than likely you won’t see faceted stones on a regular basis and specimens are a rare find as well.

I’ve been buying, collecting, and selling stones for 20+ years and I’ve come across 2-3 of these gemstones in my lifetime. You rarely see them for sale and when they’re for sale, collectors buy them instantly.

The main sources of high-quality Benitoite come from California, Australia, and Japan.

 

 

 

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 Benitoite 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.

 

Clarity – Buyers, and collectors prefer stones with no internal inclusions visible to the eye. Benitoite 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 – Benitoite can be found in sizes ranging from below 1 carat to 3 carats. Generally speaking, Benitoite is very difficult to source in any size and if you come across a larger stone then you’ve really found a unique stone. The larger stones with high clarity will bring ultra-premium pricing.

 

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.

 

 

 

Benitoite Valuations and Pricing

Small Faceted Benitoite = $225.00 – $900.00 price per carat

• Only sourced from gem dealers dealing in rare gemstones
• Sometimes you can source this size from gem dealers

 

Medium Sized Faceted Benitoite = $600.00 – $2,200.00 price per carat

• Only sourced from gem dealers dealing in rare gemstones
• Hard to find with high clarity scores

 

 

Large Benitoite = $3,500.00+ price per carat

• Only sourced from gem dealers dealing in rare gemstones
• Large faceted Benitoite is very rare and will demand a premium price

 

Benitoite Specimens = $500 – $5,000.00 per piece

• Range in size
• Sold by the piece
• Specimen collectors love these specimens because they’re extremely rare

 

How valuable is Benitoite?

Benitoite has always brought a high dollar amount per carat and per piece when dealing with a specimen. The problem you run into is supply. You rarely see these stones and specimens for sale which means it’s a seller’s market.

 

Values of Benitoite will not increase over time

Each year I do research on market prices for Benitoite and prices for small to mid-sized stones hold their value with a positive trend in price. High-clarity stones will always demand a premium despite the size. If you can find a large stone with a high clarity rating, VS2 or higher, then you have a museum-quality piece. When dealing with specimens the same is true. You really can’t go wrong buying one of these as an investment.

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.