Celestite Values and Pricing

When valuing Celestite you’ll need to break up the pricing into two distinct groups. For gemstone collectors, you can expect to pay $15.00 to $125.00 per specimen depending on the size and overall rarity.

If you come across a faceted stone then it will have a light blue color and might have a cloudy look to the stone. More than likely you won’t see faceted stones on a regular basis but you will see crystal clusters.

The main sources of high-quality Celestite come from Egypt, Tunisia, California, and Texas.

 

 

 

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 Celestite 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. Celestite 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 – Celestite can be found in sizes ranging from below 1 carat to above 10 carats.  Generally speaking, Celestite will be sourced as a large specimen and most likely sold by the piece and not by the actual weight.

 

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.

 

 

 

Celestite Valuations and Pricing

Small to Medium Faceted Celestite = $35.00 – $95.00 price per carat

• Only sourced from gem dealers dealing in rare gemstones
• Faceted material is difficult to source

 

Medium to Large Faceted Celestite = $95.00 – $150.00 price per carat

• Only sourced from gem dealers dealing in rare gemstones
• Celestite is not rare but difficult to source faceted material

 

 

Celestite Specimens = $15.00 – $125.00

• Range in size
• Sold by the piece
• Rockhounds like these specimens because they’re really cool to look at and affordable
• Large specimens with great crystal structure will bring a premium to the prices quoted above

 

How valuable is Celestite?

Celestite has never brought a higher dollar per carat because the demand for a soft, difficult-to-facet stone just isn’t there. Collectors and gemstone enthusiasts will buy well-developed crystal clusters with no damage to the crystal points.

 

Values of Celestite will not increase over time

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

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.