Amethyst

The ultimate price of any gemstone depends upon its quality. Similarly, the per-carat price of an Iolite stone largely depends upon its 4 c’s (cut, color, clarity, and carat size) quality and origin. Iolite gemstone jewelry is worn for astrological benefits as well as for fashion jewelry. In order to ensure the purchase of the best quality Iolite gemstone, examine the quality of stone on the basis of its cut, color, clarity, and origin while buying.
Per carat price of an Iolite or Neeli gemstone starts from $4 (Rs. 300 approx.) and can reach up to $60 (Rs 4,500 approx.) depending upon its size, quality, and origin. However, these prices may vary owing to the difference in the cycle of demand and supply in various countries such as India, the USA, the UK, and the UAE.

• Origin: The majority of Iolite mines are found in India, Brazil, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. However, substantial amounts of this gem are also mined in Myanmar (Burma), Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and the USA. The seafaring Norse people of southern Scandinavia in north-western Europe, named Vikings, were believed to have mined iolite roughs from the deposits of Norway and Greenland in the 8th–11th centuries.
                   Out of all these origins, Indian Iolite and Madagascar Iolite are known for their fine quality luster and vitreous hue. The famous Neeli gemstones of the Indian subcontinent can rival many other blue gemstones in world commerce with their brilliant blue color and eye-catchy shine. Thus, Indian Iolites are considered to be the most sought-after variety of iolite gems in the global gemstone industry.
  
• Color: The shades of Iolite gemstone range from light to deep blue, with a little purplish tinge in it. Bluish violet, Bluish purple, and yellowish-grey are some common color varieties of Iolite gem. Being a pleochroic stone, also known as Dichroite, Kaka Neeli exhibits different tones of blue color on viewing from different angles. In order to avail maximum astrological benefits, usually, a bright medium to deep blue-colored Iolite is highly desirable.
              In terms of the price of Neeli ratan, color plays a vital role. The value of an Iolite gemstone depends majorly on its color tone and saturation. A soft medium violetish-blue Iolite gem with uniform saturation is considered most precious. While on the other hand, a pale or excessive murky blue Iolite with an inky-like strain is relatively considered less valuable.
  
• Clarity: Iolite gemstone falls under Type II clarity. In general, it is quite a transparent gemstone with a few visible inclusions. As per the trade experts, the lesser is the inclusions, higher is the quality of a gemstone. The same rule is applicable to Iolite gemstones too. An eye-clean piece of Iolite gem with optimum transparency draws a far higher value in international gemstone auctions than an included one of the same weight.
         However, these stones are commonly included with rutile, natural mineral inclusions, or metallic platelets. The presence of such visible inclusions, pits, or scratches reduces the price of Neeli gemstone in the market. There arises another exceptional variety in Iolite gemstone with the name of ‘Bloodshot Iolite’. It contains an array of brownish to reddish platelets and is considered quite valuable on account of its rare availability.
  
• Cut: Shape and cut also bear an influence on the overall value of an Iolite gemstone. Since it displays a pleochroism effect, (phenomena of reflecting different shades of blue when viewed from different angles) cut is the key factor of this remarkable quality. Henceforth, cutting an Iolite rough needs special attention, experience, and perfection in order to maintain the desired brightness and shimmer.
  On the ground of quality, a skillfully shaped and faceted cut Iolite stone displays the best of its hue, clarity, and luster. Cushion, square, trillion cuts usually grab a high value in comparison to an oval and round Iolite stone. Those who are looking for a reasonably cheaper option can go for cabochons Iolites, which are polished but non-faceted gems.
  
• Carat Weight: Fine quality natural Iolite gemstones are rarely found in big sizes. Therefore, the per-carat price of an Iolite stone substantially increases with an increase in the carat weight of the stone. You can explore Navratan, the online gem Bazar for certified and natural Iolite gemstones online at the most reasonable price range.

According to the Indian Vedic astrology, Iolite is associated with the planet Jupiter and Saturn or Lord ‘Shaani’. Therefore, it is known as Shani Priya or Neeli stone in Hindi. Those who have Saturn laying at a weak position in their house of horoscope. Neeli is worn to strengthen this weak position of Saturn in an individual birth chart. It is considered highly beneficial for people who are undergoing the tough phase of ‘Sade Shani Dasha’ or ‘Shaani Mahadasha’ in their lives.

                Iolite is one of the best gemstone gifts for the 21st wedding anniversary. Indian astrology recommends Neeli gemstone for Capricorn and Aquarius zodiac signs or Makar and Kumbh Vedic Rashi. Whereas western astrological science prescribes Iolite as the birthstone for Virgo, Pisces, and Sagittarius sun signs. Owners of Gemini, Virgo, and Taurus can also wear and avail benefits of Neeli or Iolite gemstone.

Natural rubies have a passionate red that undoubtedly makes a bold statement. Once set in jewelry these resilient gemstones are an ideal fit with a lustrous appearance. Their strong nature at 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness keeps the gemstone free from daily wear and tear.

Natural rubies are priced based on their quality and to no surprise because these rare reds can go up to $100,000 a carat. Take for instance “The Graff Ruby”, weighing 8.62 carats, with an exceptionally clean appearance, this Burmese ruby has no evidence of treatment and sold at the auctions for $421,981(INR 32,200,000) a carat.

URL:  

https://www.christies.com/features/10-jewels-that-created-auction-history-and-changed-the-market-9549-3.aspx

When understanding the price of a ruby it is important to understand the correlation between the following factors.

Color: An intense even red, with a nice light tone and a vivid fluorescence instantly increases the value of the natural ruby. Color being first treasured when it comes to a gemstone, a bold, romantic, and fiery red makes a valuable, long-term investment.
Clarity: Visibly eye-clean gemstones demand the highest values because of their rarity. Clean natural rubies can reach values of around INR 50,000 a carat. Investing in evenly colored natural rubies with relatively few eye-visible inclusions is advisable.

Carat Weight: With rubies available from tiny pointers all the way up to 10-15 carats, commercial and unique gems differ greatly in terms of prices. A 1-carat unique natural ruby could be priced about five times higher than of a 5-carat commercial, mass-produced treated ruby.
Treatments: Treatments done on any gemstone tends to decrease its value as with these glorious red rubies. Heat treatments, although done to improve the color of the gem, are considered an external modification and lowering the gem’s value. Clarity improvements like glass filling further lower the value of the gems and must be disclosed at the time of purchase.

Mining Locations: Burmese/Myanmar origin rubies make up some of the most valuable gems, followed by African and Madagascar rubies and then Thai gems which make up most of the commercial pieces.

Caring for your natural Ruby is imperative. Gemstones over time tend to attract dirt and grime and need an occasional bath. 

A safe way to clean your Ruby jewelry is:

• Place gemstone studded jewelry in a bowl of warm soapy water, away from a basin

• In the bowl scrub the piece lightly with an old, soft-bristled toothbrush

• In the bowl, rinse with clean water 

• Wipe dry

Bowl is to catch gemstones that might come out of their setting but can be returned to the jeweler to be reset. 

Do not use any harsh chemicals, light hand soap will work.

Jewelry pieces set with enamel and Kundan work should never be washed or put into an ultrasonic machine.