Last year threw the gem world a curveball. Top-tier collectible and investment gems soared, while white diamonds took a brutal hit. The benchmark one-carat D-IF diamond plunged from $21,000 to $16,000 per carat—a 24% drop. Other premium diamond grades weren't spared either, shedding 20–30% of their value. The culprit? Lab-grown diamonds (LGD), now over 50% of the market. Who saw that coming? Not the diamond dealers now eyeing the exit—or begging their kids to pick a different career. With inventory values tanking, it's a tough gig to stay afloat. Colored diamonds fared better, but they're not unscathed. Vivid and Intense Pinks dipped a mere 1%, Yellows fell 6%, and Blues slid about 3%. Not stellar, but a far cry from the white diamond bloodbath. Resilience has its shades.

Burma Goods: Pricier and Rarer
We've hiked prices across all Burmese gems—ruby, sapphire, and spinel—reflecting a stark reality: no new material has come out of Burma in at least four years, thanks to the civil war. Spinel's the standout, with prices surging to catch up to historical ratios with ruby. Collectors are pouncing, seeing it as undervalued—and they're not wrong. African spinels, still plentiful, remain unaffected, holding steady for now.

Colombian Emeralds: Trust but Verify
No-treatment top Colombian emeralds climbed higher in 2024, fueled by relentless collector demand. Their allure's only growing—but caution's key. Old "no treatment" certs aren't worth the paper they're on; retreatment's too easy post-lab. Smart move? Re-certify with a trusted lab today. And a word to the wise: a "no treatment" label doesn't justify a 300–500% premium over treated, moderately included stones unless it's eye-clean. Clarity still rules.

Paraiba Tourmaline: Blue Reigns, Green Simmers
Brazilian Paraiba Blue Tourmaline stole the spotlight again, its electric hues driving prices into the stratosphere. Some collectors, priced out of the blues, are turning to greens, which suddenly look like a steal. Owning a Paraiba remains the ultimate gem dream—and with zero supply meeting endless demand, that parabolic rise isn't slowing. Mozambique Paraiba lags behind Brazilian in price, but watch out: treated stones—borrowing emerald's playbook—are creeping back into the market, masquerading as clean fresh goods.

Kashmir Update—and Beyond: Chasing Phantoms
India's Gem and Jewelry Export Council dangled Kashmir gemstones last year. This year? Silence. Just crickets. 

Collectors, keep dreaming—because Burma gems, Brazilian Paraiba, and no-treatment Colombian emeralds are slipping into legend too. Unicorns of the gem world, they're rarer by the day, leaving us all hunting shadows.