Transparent pricing

Understanding our prices & value references

We believe gemstone pricing should be transparent, realistic, and easy to understand. A gemstone can have different values depending on the market level, the purpose of the valuation, and the situation in which it is bought, sold, replaced, or resold.

Our webshop price is our actual selling price. Some product descriptions may also include an Estimated International Retail Replacement Value as a reference — this is not the same as our selling price.

How our pricing works

Our price

The price shown in our webshop is the actual Gem-Fountain selling price. Our prices are net export prices from Thailand. They do not include local VAT, GST, sales tax, import duties, customs charges, or courier clearance fees in the destination country.

Gemstones are shipped internationally from Thailand. Any import taxes, duties, or local charges are determined by the customs authorities of the destination country and are usually collected from the recipient by the courier or customs authority before or upon delivery.

Estimated International Retail Replacement Value

A non-binding reference value for what a comparable gemstone may cost in a professional retail environment. It is intended as a tax-neutral international retail reference and does not include destination-specific VAT, GST, sales tax, import duties, or local charges, because these vary from country to country.

Retail replacement values may reflect factors such as:

  • Professional gemstone selection
  • Retail presentation
  • Business overhead
  • Inventory costs
  • Customer service
  • Replacement risk
  • Retail margins
  • Local market conditions & taxes
  • Difficulty of finding a comparable gemstone again

This helps customers understand the difference between a typical retail replacement level and our direct-source net export pricing.

It is not a formal appraisal, not an insurance certificate, and not a guaranteed resale value.

Why our prices can be lower

Gem-Fountain is based in Chanthaburi, Thailand — one of the world's most important trading and processing centers for coloured gemstones. We source close to the market, work directly with local cutting and trading networks, and do not operate a traditional high-street retail store in Europe, the United States, or other consumer markets.

This allows us to offer many gemstones at prices that may be significantly below typical retail replacement values in established consumer markets. Our price reflects the actual gemstone offered — its quality, rarity, size, colour, cutting, origin, treatment status, and market availability.

Net export price vs. final landed cost

Our webshop price is the gemstone price you pay to Gem-Fountain. The final landed cost in your country may include:

  • The gemstone price
  • Shipping cost
  • Local import VAT, GST, sales tax, or similar charges
  • Possible customs duties
  • Courier customs clearance or disbursement fees

These charges vary by country and are not included in our webshop prices. For international shipments, the courier may pay import charges to customs on behalf of the recipient and then collect the amount together with a clearance or disbursement fee.

For more detailed information about possible import costs in your country, please visit our Import Information page.

Declared value for customs

For customs purposes, the declared value is the actual transaction value — the price paid by the customer for the gemstone. The Estimated International Retail Replacement Value is not used as the customs invoice value.

This distinction is important: customs documents must reflect the actual selling price, not a higher retail reference value.

Different types of gemstone value

A gemstone can have several values

Depending on the market situation, the same gemstone may be described at different value levels — from highest to lowest:

Retail Replacement Value

The approximate cost of replacing a comparable gemstone in a professional retail environment. Usually one of the higher levels — it may include retail margins, service, presentation, overhead, and the cost of sourcing a similar replacement stone.

Insurance Replacement Value

May be used for insurance purposes, based on the cost of replacing a comparable gemstone in a retail environment. Normally requires a formal appraisal or valuation document. Our reference value does not replace an independent insurance appraisal.

Wholesale Value

The level at which gemstones are traded between professionals — dealers, cutters, jewellers, or manufacturers. Generally lower than retail replacement values, as it excludes the full retail cost structure and consumer-level taxes.

Fair Market Value

The realistic value between informed buyers and sellers in an open market. Often relevant in private resale, and may be lower than retail replacement value since private sellers cannot offer the same service, presentation, or guarantees.

Liquidation Value

The value achievable when a gemstone must be sold quickly — urgent sales, dealer buy-back, auctions, or inventory liquidation. Often significantly lower than retail or wholesale values.

Important note

All value references shown by Gem-Fountain are provided for customer orientation only. They are based on our professional market experience, comparable retail pricing, and the gemstone's quality, rarity, colour, cutting, size, origin, treatment status, and availability. They do not represent a formal appraisal, legal valuation, insurance valuation, or guaranteed resale price.

For insurance, inheritance, legal, tax, or accounting purposes, an independent appraisal may be required.

How it appears on a product page

Our Price
USD 850
Net export price from Thailand. Local import taxes, VAT/GST, duties, and courier clearance fees are not included.
Estimated International Retail Replacement Value
approx. USD 1,800
Non-binding tax-neutral retail reference for a comparable gemstone in a professional retail environment. Not a formal appraisal, insurance value, or guaranteed resale value.