INVESTMENT VALUES OF GEMS
Cut gems, especially diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and others equally vvaluable, are often considered to be “good” investments. It is true that a large amount of money can be placed in a few top-quality gems, and  if the need should arise, they can be more easily transported and disposed  of than bulkier items of equal value. During past wars or severe internal conflicts within certain countries this aspect of gems proved a godsend to persons who had to flee the borders with nothing but the minimum in personal possessions. Fortunately for most persons, this kind of “invest¬ment” is not necessary, and hopefully it may never have to be.

On a long-term basis, perhaps over a period of twenty-five to fifty years, high-quality gems do tend to appreciate in monetary value; that is, a  fine gem bought years ago may fetch many more dollars than it cost. However, since the dollar has depreciated in buying power during the same period, the profit may be a “paper profit” instead of a real one. If there is an actual profit it has to be computed on the basis of the buying Dower of the dollar at the time of purchase compared to its buying power now. Some rarer gems, notably alexandrite chrysoberyl, catseye chryso-beryl, demantoid garnet, fine blue aquamarine, and fine peridot have appreciated in value so much that old gems sold now can often realize a real profit. However, for most gems, about the best that can be said for them is that they have retained considerable real value, perhaps about 50 per cent of cost. More will be said about this in subsequent paragraphs.