That there picture tells the story.
Just zoom in on the rubies.
Nice clear stones. Nice colours - all sellable.
Reds and pinks will sell. Browns and oranges not so - which I can't see any.
That whole lot is not sorted for the most important factor - colour.
A buyer wanting reds can't buy because it's full of pinks, and a buyer wanting cheaper pinks can't buy cause it's half full of reds. How are they supposed to put a value on those?
And how did we come up with a reserve?
There is definitely value in the stones - but needs more volume to build up numbers in each category.
Then sort.
Colour - first grade for colour
Size - then sort into sizes
Clarity - then sort for clarity/inclusions
Put in seperate lots based on quantities that buyers are expecting. Lots sizes that aren't too big and not too small.
But most imortantly 'uniform'
Who ever sorted our stones for the auction had no idea - that's for sure.
Your average Angus and Coote jeweller would know how to sort better.
Company needs to hire gemologists that are also experienced Jewellers - worked within the jewellery trade for at least 10 years, not field gemologists.
MUS Price at posting:
4.6¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held