Economical Ponderings

[Hussar]

Or, look at it another way. The GP value of art objects and gems is the sale price, not the buying price. If you want to buy a gem, jack up the price.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Umm the 1/5 value is from the 4th ed economics article. Since the SRD is 3e it has no bearing on a 4th edition discussion.

Oops.

Ok, now that I've reread the article, I have to agree with Khaim. It's specifically talking about magic items there.

Plus, the tables use the gems' gp values interchangeably with the coinage. That'd be a rather consistent typo or an awfully bad decision. I'm not inclined to believe either.

 

[ForbidenMaster]

Umm the 1/5 value is from the 4th ed economics article. Since the SRD is 3e it has no bearing on a 4th edition discussion.

Fine, then from the 4ed article:

The purchase price of a permanent magic item depends on its level, as shown on the table below. The purchase price of a consumable item (such as a potion or an elixir) is much lower than the price of a permanent item of the same level. The sale price of a magic item (the amount a PC gets from either selling or disenchanting an item) is one-fifth of the purchase price

So unless it magical art and gems you wish to sell, its base price (as far as we know).