Schwab Crypto Access Fuels 3.3% BTC Rally to $77K

Schwab crypto access launched spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading for 37 million retail brokerage accounts on October 9, 2024. BTC rose 3.3% to $77,230 with a $1.545 trillion market cap (CoinMarketCap, Oct 10, 2024). This step connects traditional investors to digital assets.

ETH gained 3.7% to $2,421 and a $292 billion market cap. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index hit 26, signaling fear amid rallies (Alternative.me, Oct 10, 2024). Schwab details the rollout in its official announcement.

Schwab Crypto Access Sparks Retail Inflows

Schwab's 37 million accounts add substantial retail capital. BTC reached $1.545 trillion market cap. ETH hit $292 billion. Tether (USDT) stayed at $1.00 with $187 billion cap, easing fiat ramps (CoinGecko, Oct 10, 2024).

Clients trade spot BTC and ETH directly, bypassing Coinbase. Glassnode on-chain metrics show rising exchange inflows from retail (Glassnode, Oct 10, 2024). Access the Glassnode BTC inflows chart.

• Asset: BTC · Price (USD): 77,230 · 24h Change: +3.3% · Market Cap (USD B): 1,545
• Asset: ETH · Price (USD): 2,421 · 24h Change: +3.7% · Market Cap (USD B): 292
• Asset: XRP · Price (USD): 1.47 · 24h Change: +3.2% · Market Cap (USD B): 90.8
• Asset: BNB · Price (USD): 646 · 24h Change: +2.3% · Market Cap (USD B): 87
• Asset: SOL · Price (USD): 89 · 24h Change: +0.8% · Market Cap (USD B): 51

Crypto Gains Drive Luxury Jewelry Demand

Schwab crypto access directs profits to tangible assets. BTC holders at $77,230 buy 18K gold-set GIA-graded natural diamonds as inflation hedges. Rapaport Diamond Index lists a 1-carat D-color VS1-clarity excellent-cut round brilliant at $12,500 (Rapaport Diamond Report, Oct 2024).

High-net-worth buyers select pavé diamond tennis bracelets at $25,000-$50,000 retail with full GIA reports. Lab-grown diamonds cost $1,800 per carat—85% less than natural—but feature weak secondary markets. GIA Gem Encyclopedia covers round brilliant proportions for fire and scintillation here.

Jewelry provenance integrates blockchain platforms like Everledger for mine-to-market tracking.

Natural Diamonds Excel Over Lab-Grown in Portfolios

Natural diamonds form geologically over billions of years and retain 60% resale value (Sotheby's Jewelry Auctions, Jan-Sep 2024). Lab-grown versions use CVD or HPHT methods yet depreciate from unlimited supply. Paul Zimnisky, independent diamond analyst, notes natural stones hold value better in volatile markets (Diamond Analytics, Oct 2024).

• Quality Tier: Excellent · Natural Price per Ct (USD, Rapaport Oct 2024): 8,000-12,000 · Lab-Grown per Ct (USD): 1,200-2,000 · Avg Resale Retention (%): 60
• Quality Tier: Very Good · Natural Price per Ct (USD, Rapaport Oct 2024): 5,000-8,000 · Lab-Grown per Ct (USD): 800-1,200 · Avg Resale Retention (%): 50
• Quality Tier: Good · Natural Price per Ct (USD, Rapaport Oct 2024): 3,000-5,000 · Lab-Grown per Ct (USD): 500-800 · Avg Resale Retention (%): 40

Schwab clients target untreated natural diamonds. Rapaport prices exclude clarity enhancements or other treatments.

Tech Tools Enhance Gemstone Investments

Require GIA reports on 4Cs: excellent cut, D-F color, VS1+ clarity, 1-2+ carats in 18K yellow gold prongs. Strong blue fluorescence cuts value 10-20% (GIA Fluorescence Study, 2023). Tom Moses, GIA EVP and COO, emphasizes certified reports for investor confidence (GIA, 2024).

Unheated Kashmiri sapphires fetch $15,000 per carat (Christie's Geneva, May 2024). Heated Sri Lankan sapphires average $2,000 per carat. Track BTC peaks on CoinMarketCap.

Sarine Technologies' AI grading boosts precision. Blockchain certificates confirm ethical sourcing via Kimberley Process. Ronit Engel, Rapaport Group CEO, highlights rising demand for certified gems amid crypto volatility (Rapaport News, Oct 2024).

Schwab crypto access accelerates jewelry's role in the $300 billion luxury market as a diversification tool (McKinsey State of Fashion Report, 2024). Natural diamonds position investors for sustained appreciation as BTC stabilizes.