What honest pricing looks like.
No fixed markup. No arbitrary premiums. Just the actual market price for a certified, untreated stone — and a clear explanation of why it costs what it costs.
Every stone we sell is priced at the current market rate for its grade, treatment status, and certification — not at a premium added for mystique or convenience.
We will always tell you the weight in carats, the treatment status, and the certifying body. You can verify any of these independently.
We believe the recommendation should come first, not the sale.
Five things move the price.
Origin
Where a stone was mined tells much of its story. A Kashmir sapphire, a Burmese ruby, a Colombian emerald — each origin carries a reputation earned over centuries.
Colour
Colour is judged on hue, saturation and tone together. The legendary "pigeon-blood" red of a fine ruby is the benchmark its peers are measured against.
Clarity
Clarity standards differ by gem. Emeralds are expected to carry inclusions — their internal "jardin" is part of their character — so a genuinely clean emerald is far rarer than a clean ruby.
Weight
Weight is measured in carats, but price-per-carat does not rise in a straight line — it jumps. A fine two-carat stone is not twice a one-carat; it can be several times the price.
Treatment
Most coloured stones on the market are treated — heated, oiled, or diffused — to improve colour or clarity. An untreated, fully natural stone commands a real premium.
Why two 3-carat sapphires can cost 10× apart.
| Attribute | Stone A | Stone B |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Sri Lanka (Ceylon) | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Colour | Vivid, royal blue | Pale, slightly grey |
| Clarity | Eye-clean, minimal inclusions | Heavily included |
| Treatment | Unheated, untreated | Heat treated |
| Weight | 3 carats | 3 carats |
| Price | ₹ 2,50,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
Same weight. Completely different stone. Completely different price.
How we price at Honest Gems.
We don't inflate, hide, or confuse.
Our stones are sourced direct from Jaipur and priced at true market value — no middlemen, no markup for mystique, no hidden treatment. The certificate tells you exactly what you are buying.
And if a price ever puzzles you, just ask. G. Vijay Kumar will explain — personally — what makes that particular stone worth what it costs.