Discover the World's Most Valuable Gemstones
Table of Contents
Introduction
Precious stones are some of the Earth's most exquisite national treasures. Not only are rare stones beautiful to look at, but they also reflect eye-catching and dazzling patterns when exposed to sunlight. Each precious stone has its unique characteristics and significance. In this article, we will explore twenty of the world's most expensive stones, their origins, and their remarkable properties.
Tanzanite
🔹 Tanzanite is a blue and violet variety of the mineral zoisite. It was discovered by Tiffany and Company in Tanzania in 1968. The stone was originally named blue-violet zoisite but later changed to tanzanite for consumer-friendly purposes. Tanzanite is valued at around $1,500 per carat and is known for its deep blue color and high clarity.
Paraiba Tourmaline
🔹 Paraiba Tourmaline is a rare and valuable gemstone known for its brilliant aqua color with greenish flashes. These tourmalines derive their color from copper, which also creates the stunning green flashes when exposed to bright light. Good quality Paraiba tourmalines can range in price from $2,000 to $50,000 per carat. Due to their high value and rarity, purchasing a large number of stones is often more feasible than finding a multi-carat genuine Paraiba on the market.
Jeremejevite
🔹 Jeremejevite is a rare mineral with variable fluoride and hydroxide ions. It was first discovered in 1883 in the Adun-Chilon Mountains of Siberia. Jeremejevite typically occurs during a late hydrothermal phase in association with other minerals such as albite, quartz, and rare gypsum. The stone is priced at approximately $2,000 per carat and is known for its unique aluminum borate composition.
Taffite
🔹 Taffite is an extremely rare mineral that was first discovered in Dublin, Ireland in October 1945. It is the only gemstone that was first identified from a faceted stone. Taffite's main constituents are beryllium, magnesium, and aluminum, making it the first mineral to contain both beryllium and magnesium as essential components. This rarity contributes to its high price of around $2,000 per carat.
Australian Black Opal
🔹 Australian Black Opal is the most valuable type of opal found on the continent. It is characterized by its body tone that ranges from dark gray to jet black, which enhances the vibrant rainbow colors displayed within the stone. The darker body tone allows for a more pronounced and vibrant play of colors compared to lighter opals. The price of Australian Black Opal starts from $2,350 per carat.
Poudretteite
🔹 Poudretteite was first discovered as minute crystals in Mount Saint-Hilaire in Quebec during the 1960s. This gemstone forms transparent violet to pink rough equant barrel-shaped prismatic crystals. Poudretteite is highly valued and can cost up to $3,000 per carat. Its unique beauty and rarity make it a sought-after gemstone for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.
Benitoite
🔹 Benitoite is a rare blue titanium cyclosilicate found in serpentine that is altered by hydrothermal conditions. It is known for its transparent violet to blueish-white crystals, which shine red under UV light. Benitoite is found in very few locations, including San Benito, California, Japan, and Arkansas. The price for Benitoite starts from $4,000 per carat.
Alexandrite
🔹 Alexandrite is a type of chrysoberyl that displays a fascinating color-changing phenomenon. Depending on the lighting conditions, Alexandrite can change from green in daylight to red under incandescent light. This remarkable gemstone results from the small-scale replacement of aluminum by chromium ions in the crystal structure. An Alexandrite can cost around $10,000 per carat.
Red Beryl
🔹 Red Beryl, also known as "bixbite" or "red emerald," is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. It was first discovered in 1904 in Utah and has since been found in a handful of locations, including Utah and New Mexico. The scarcity and vibrant red color contribute to its high value of approximately $10,000 per carat.
Padparadscha Sapphire
🔹 Padparadscha Sapphire is a unique type of sapphire that exhibits a delicate blend of pink and orange colors. To be classified as a Padparadscha, the gemstone must display both colors. These rare gems are found mainly in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The National Sapphire Company offers Padparadscha Sapphires at a price of $30,000 per carat.
Musgravite
🔹 Musgravite is an astrological gemstone with reputed healing powers. It is believed to have the potential to overcome the ill effects of planets and provide optimal health and well-being. Musgravite is priced at approximately $35,000 per carat, reflecting its rarity and significance.
Blue Garnet
🔹 Blue Garnet is a rare and unusual sub-variety of garnet that changes colors similar to Alexandrite. It was discovered in the Belkeley mines in southern Madagascar and is highly sought after by collectors. Blue Garnet's price starts from $2,000 per carat, making it a valuable and exclusive gemstone.
Painite
🔹 Painite is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth. It was first identified as a new gem species in 1957, and since then, more than a thousand crystals and fragments have been recovered. Painite has a great brilliance, attractive red colors, and high hardness. However, its scarcity and challenging cutting properties make it an exclusive gemstone priced at $60,000 per carat.
Grandidierite
🔹 Grandidierite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in Madagascar in 1902. It is named after French explorer Alfred Grandidier. Grandidierite showcases three different colors depending on the viewing angle: dark blue-green, colorless, and sometimes very light yellow or dark green. A single carat of Grandidierite costs around $100,000.
Demantoid Garnet
🔹 Demantoid Garnet is a green-colored, rare gemstone highly coveted by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. It is characterized by its brilliance and attractive, unique green color. Demantoid Garnet often contains radiating needle intrusions called horsetails. The price of Demantoid Garnet starts from $2,000 per carat.
Serendibite
🔹 Serendibite is an extremely luxurious and exclusive gemstone known for its great beauty and value. It is one of the most sought-after gemstones and is commonly used in exclusive jewelry, gem therapy, and luxury gifting. However, the rarity of Serendibite comes at a significant price, starting from $2 million per carat.
Red Diamond
🔹 Red Diamond is one of the most expensive and rarest gemstones in the world. It is highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. The source of the red color in these diamonds is debated among the gemological community, attributing it to gliding atoms during the diamond's formation. Obtaining a carat of red diamonds can cost up to $2 million.
Jadeite
🔹 Jadeite is the purest, rarest, and most vivid gemstone in the jade family. It is known for its vibrant green color and excellent translucency. The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace, consisting of 27 top-quality Jadeite beads, is one of the most famous and valuable pieces of Jadeite jewelry. This luxurious gemstone surpasses $3 million per carat.
Cobra Pearl
🔹 Cobra Pearl, also known as Snake Stone or Nagamani, is believed to possess mystical powers and bring good fortune to its bearer. However, no such stone exists within a snake's anatomy. Nonetheless, it holds cultural significance in Africa and Asia. Recently, a stone worth $30 million was caught by the local police, emphasizing the fascination surrounding Cobra Pearls.
Emerald
🔹 Emerald is an expensive gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl. It is highly valued for its vibrant green color, especially when trace amounts of chromium and vanadium are present. At a Christie's auction, an emerald was purchased for $5.5 million, making it the most expensive emerald per carat ever sold.
Conclusion
Precious stones hold a timeless allure, captivating our senses with their beauty, rarity, and mystic powers. The world's most expensive stones, such as Tanzanite, Paraiba Tourmaline, Alexandrite, and Jadeite, exhibit extraordinary qualities that make them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Whether it's the captivating color change of Alexandrite or the vibrant green of Emerald, these precious gems continue to dazzle and inspire us with their everlasting allure. So, which precious stone resonates with you the most?
Resources
