Gemstones have been coveted for centuries for their beauty and rarity. Some of the world’s most expensive gemstones are so rare that they are only found in a few locations around the globe. These precious stones are not only beautiful, but they also hold significant value in the jewelry industry.
One of the most expensive gemstones in the world is the blue diamond. This rare stone is valued at a staggering $3.93 million per carat and is the rarest and most valuable diamond color. Blue diamonds are found in only a few locations around the world, including India and South Africa. They are also incredibly difficult to cut and shape, which adds to their value.
Other valuable gemstones include red beryl, emerald, ruby, and pink diamond. These stones are highly sought after by collectors and investors due to their rarity and beauty. While some gemstones are more valuable than others, the worth of a stone is ultimately determined by its rarity, size, and quality. As such, the value of gemstones can fluctuate greatly over time.
The Most Expensive Gemstones in the World
1. Blue Diamond
Blue diamonds are the rarest and most expensive gemstones in the world. These diamonds are found in mines in South Africa, Brazil, and India. The most famous blue diamond is the Hope Diamond, which is estimated to be worth over $350 million. The largest blue diamond ever found is the Blue Moon of Josephine, which sold for $48.5 million in 2015.
2. Pink Diamond
Pink diamonds are also incredibly rare and expensive. These diamonds are found in mines in Australia, Brazil, and Russia. The most famous pink diamond is the Pink Star, which sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million in 2017. Pink diamonds are often used in high-end jewelry, such as engagement rings and necklaces.
3. Jadeite
Jadeite is a rare and valuable gemstone that is found in mines in Myanmar. The most valuable jadeite is known as “imperial jade,” which is a translucent green color. Imperial jade can sell for over $1 million per carat. Jadeite is often used in traditional Chinese jewelry, such as bangles and pendants.
4. Red Diamond
Red diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world. These diamonds are found in mines in Australia, Brazil, and Africa. The most valuable red diamond is the Moussaieff Red, which is estimated to be worth over $20 million. Red diamonds are often used in high-end jewelry, such as rings and earrings.
5. Serendibite
Serendibite is a rare gemstone that was first discovered in Sri Lanka in 1902. This gemstone is usually black or dark blue in color and is found in very small quantities. The most valuable serendibite is estimated to be worth over $1.8 million per carat.
6. Grandidierite
Grandidierite is a rare and beautiful gemstone that is found in Madagascar. This gemstone is usually blue or green in color and is highly prized by collectors. The most valuable grandidierite is estimated to be worth over $100,000 per carat.
7. Blue Garnet
Blue garnets are incredibly rare and valuable gemstones that are found in mines in Madagascar. These gemstones are usually blue or green in color and are highly prized by collectors. The most valuable blue garnet is estimated to be worth over $1.5 million per carat.
8. Black Opal
Black opals are a type of opal that is found in mines in Australia. These gemstones are usually black or dark blue in color and are highly prized by collectors. The most valuable black opal is estimated to be worth over $9,500 per carat.
9. Musgravite
Musgravite is a rare and beautiful gemstone that was first discovered in Australia in 1967. This gemstone is usually brown or green in color and is highly prized by collectors. The most valuable musgravite is estimated to be worth over $35,000 per carat.
10. Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a rare and beautiful gemstone that was first discovered in Russia in 1830. This gemstone is usually green or blue in daylight and changes to red or purple in incandescent light. The most valuable alexandrite is estimated to be worth over $70,000 per carat.
Factors That Affect the Price of Gemstones
Rarity
One of the most significant factors that affect the price of gemstones is their rarity. The rarer a gemstone is, the higher its price will be. Some gemstones, such as diamonds and rubies, are naturally rare and difficult to mine. Other gemstones, such as tanzanite and alexandrite, are rare because they are only found in a few locations around the world. The rarity of a gemstone is determined by its supply and demand. If the demand for a particular gemstone is high and the supply is low, its price will be high.
Clarity and Color
The clarity and color of a gemstone are also important factors that affect its price. Gemstones with fewer inclusions and a more vivid color are considered more valuable. For example, a diamond with fewer inclusions and a higher color grade will be more expensive than a diamond with more inclusions and a lower color grade. The same is true for colored gemstones. A vivid, intense color will make a gemstone more valuable than a pale or washed-out color.
Carat Weight
The carat weight of a gemstone is another factor that affects its price. Generally, the larger the gemstone, the higher its price will be. However, the price per carat of a gemstone can also increase as the carat weight increases. This is because larger gemstones are rarer and more difficult to find than smaller ones. As a result, a 2-carat diamond will be more expensive per carat than a 1-carat diamond of the same quality.
Cut and Shape
The cut and shape of a gemstone can also affect its price. A well-cut gemstone with precise angles and facets will reflect light better and appear more brilliant. This makes it more valuable than a poorly cut gemstone. The shape of a gemstone can also affect its price. Some shapes, such as round and princess, are more popular and therefore more expensive than others.
Origin and History
The origin and history of a gemstone can also affect its price. Gemstones that come from certain regions, such as Kashmir sapphires or Burmese rubies, are highly sought after and can command a premium price. Gemstones with a rich history or provenance, such as those owned by royalty or celebrities, can also be more valuable than similar gemstones without such a history.
Conclusion
After researching and analyzing the most expensive gemstones in the world, it is clear that there are a variety of factors that contribute to their value. Rarity, color, clarity, and size all play a role in determining the worth of a gemstone.
Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are commonly known as the “Big Four” and are some of the most valuable gemstones in the world. However, there are other precious stones that are even rarer and more expensive, such as tanzanite, black opal, red beryl, musgravite, alexandrite, and pink diamond.
It is important to note that the value of a gemstone can fluctuate depending on market demand and availability. Additionally, the authenticity and quality of the gemstone can greatly affect its value. Therefore, it is crucial to purchase gemstones from reputable dealers and have them certified by a gemological laboratory.
Overall, gemstones have been treasured for centuries for their beauty and rarity. Whether they are used for jewelry or investment purposes, the most expensive gemstones in the world are truly remarkable and continue to captivate people’s imaginations.
FAQs
What is the top 1 most expensive stone in the world? ›
The pink diamond “Pink Star” is the most expensive gemstone in the world. It was bought at a Sotheby's auction by Hong Kong jewelry chain Chow Tai Fook for an incredible $71.2 million. The stone was mined in South Africa and weighs 59.60 carats.
What is the most rare and expensive gemstone in the world? ›Painite : Not just the rarest gemstone, but also the rarest mineral on earth, Painite holds the Guinness World Record for it. After its discovery in the year 1951, there existed only 2 specimens of Painite for the next many decades.
What is the most expensive stone in the world than diamond? ›1. Tanzanite. Tanzanite has been found in only one place on Earth, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Also called Zoisite, this mineral is reddish-brown in its raw state, but it's often heat-treated to turn the stone sapphire blue, amethyst or violet.
What is the most precious of all gemstones? ›1. Blue Diamond. The stunning blue diamond is arguably the most prized of all precious gemstones. A flawless example is so rare that whenever one comes to auction it causes a huge stir in the jewelry world.
What are the 4 expensive stones? ›The four most sought-after precious gemstones are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. gemstone can help you decide what you want to say with your custom piece of jewelry.
What is the most expensive mineral on earth? ›1. Rhodium. Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white metal that belongs to the platinum group of elements.
What gemstone is even rarer than a diamond? ›Tanzanite. Tanzanite is a shocking 1000 times more rare than a diamond. Discovered for the first time in 1967 and only found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, these gemstones go for about $1,500 per carat. Tanzanite has the ability to change color depending on the angle of light it is in.
What gemstone is worth more than gold? ›Red beryl. Often called the scarlet emerald, this gorgeous red crystal is said to be 1,000 times more valuable than gold. It is found in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah and is sold at more than £8,000 per carat.
Is Emerald more expensive than diamond? ›Emeralds are rarer and often more expensive than diamonds
When it comes to rare and expensive gemstones, most of us immediately think of diamonds, but, in fact, emeralds are more than 20 times rarer than diamonds and, therefore, often command a higher price.
The most expensive gemstones in the world are blue diamonds. Not only are they rare, but they are also known to have a spectacular shine. Of all the other gemstones, they are arguably the most popular among people. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond is the largest vivid blue diamond ever to be auctioned.
What is the rarest diamond ever found? ›
The Type IIa diamonds comprise only 1% of all the diamonds in the world. They are also sometimes called “Golconda Diamonds” named after the famous Golconda mine in India, which has historically produced many iconic Type IIa diamonds. They have no nitrogen impurities, as a result of which most of them are colorless.
What is the king of all gemstones? ›Rubies have been revered since ancient times. The Bible and ancient Sanskrit writings regarded ruby as the most precious of all gemstones.
What are the big three precious gems? ›Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubies (the “big 3”) are generally considered precious gemstones whereas most other gemstones are considered semi-precious. Precious gemstones are more sought after, and more expensive than semi-precious and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, Rarity.
Are there any rocks worth money? ›Some of the most precious minerals include diamonds, emerald, sapphire, ruby, and red coral.
What is the largest gemstone ever found? ›The largest precious gemstone ever found, yet unfaceted, is the Bahia Emerald weighing approximately 840lbs (381kg) (containing more than 180,000 carats) originated from Bahia, Brazil and is emerald crystals embedded in host rock.
What are the costly stones in the Bible? ›Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast ...
Which is the most expensive crystal? ›- White Diamond. Replica of the Kohinoor. ...
- Yellow Diamond. Beyonce wears the Tiffany Yellow Diamond for Tiffany's ABOUT LOVE campaign. ...
- Serendibite. Crystal from Mogok. ...
- Grandidierite. A faceted grandidierite. ...
- Painite. ...
- Alexandrite. ...
- Emerald. ...
- Red Diamond.
1. RHODIUM: TOP MOST VALUABLE METAL. Rhodium is the most valuable metal and exists within the platinum group of metals. It is used in jewelry for a final finish on white gold jewelry. It occurs in the very same ore in which gold and silver exist – only, in smaller quantities.
What is the most expensive stone for a ring? ›So, the most valuable gemstone in the world is a particular pink diamond. For overall most valuable, red diamonds are worth the most money by carat weight. For non-diamond gemstones, painite is the winner of the most valuable gemstone in the world.
What stone is prettier than diamond? ›Most brilliant diamond alternative
If you want a diamond alternative but don't want to lose out on sparkle, moissanite will be your best bet. Moissanite has a refractive index from 2.65 – 2.69, which is higher than a diamond. These stones exhibit a fiery, rainbow brilliance, making for superior sparkle.
What gem is brighter than diamond? ›
Moissanite has unparalleled sparkle! It has a higher refractive index than diamond, resulting in greater brilliance than diamond. Moissanite also has greater dispersion (fire) than a diamond, so you will notice more rainbow flashes of light.
Is Jade more expensive than diamonds? ›Jade can cost more than diamonds in certain areas when it is of higher quality like the Burmese Jade. Burmese Jade remains one of the highest quality variations of this gemstone known for its firmer, denser, and more lustrous shine.
What color emerald is most expensive? ›The most expensive emerald color is a bluish green hue with medium tone and full saturation.
Which is rarer ruby or emerald? ›Emerald: Like sapphires and rubies, emeralds are among the rarest of all gemstones. They are rarer than sapphires but not quite as rare as rubies.
How big is a 1 carat emerald? ›Generally, purple diamonds are the most valuable. Their rarity and desirability mean they typically command an incredibly high price, and since price often relates to value, that makes purple diamonds the most valuable purple gemstone in the eyes of most people.
What is the red expensive rock? ›Burma Ruby are considered to be the most expensive red gemstone priced per carat in the world after Red Diamonds. Ruby has a hardness of 9 in Mohs Scale.
What is the biggest rock collection in the world? ›The Smithsonian Institution mineral and gem collection consists of approximately 350,000 mineral specimens and 10,000 gems, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Are black diamonds rare? ›Although most black diamonds on the market today are either superheated or irradiated to an almost black color, natural black diamonds do exist, though they are extremely rare. Carbonados, sometimes called "black diamonds," are a distinct and unusual polycrystalline diamond material.
What color diamond is rarest? ›Red diamonds are the rarest of the colored diamonds, with only 20-30 existing in the entire world. They get their beautiful red color from a rare process during their formation, which changes the crystal structure of the diamond and causes light to pass through it differently than colorless diamonds.
What is the oldest diamond ever found? ›
"The diamond we discovered is probably the oldest one studied to date. The age of the syngenetic inclusion of sulfide in this diamond is estimated at approximately 3.6 billion years.
Which precious stones hold their value? ›There are some rare finds among the so-called semi-precious gems that can be priced higher than the big three, but in general, a fine ruby, sapphire or emerald will hold its value and command more respect and a higher price than other gemstone.
What are god's gemstones? ›The twelve sacred gemstones of Revelations are Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprasus, Jacinth, and Amethyst. Many also believe that there is a clear association between the twelve apostles and the twelve gems from the walls of Jerusalem.
What is the mother of all gems? ›Goshenite is a colorless gem variety of beryl. It is called the mother of all gemstones because it can be transformed into other like emerald, morganite, or bixbite. Goshenite is also referred to as the purest form of beryl since there are generally no other elements present in the stone.
What is the queen of all gemstones? ›Opal: The Queen of Gemstones.
What is one of the rarest gems? ›Once called bixbite, red beryl is one of the rarest and most desirable gems. With good wearability, this gem can make an excellent jewelry stone — if you can find one! Gem-quality red beryl occurs only in Utah's Wah Wah mountains, and most specimens are kept by mineral collectors and never faceted.
Which are the three gems of the earth? ›The Triratna: The Triple Gem or "Three Jewels" of Buddhism
The three are 1) Buddha, 2) dharma, and 3) sangha. Triratna is the Sanskrit word for three jewels, sometimes called the Triple Gems.
When it comes to the crème de la crème of gemstones, it doesn't get better than emerald, sapphire, and ruby. Currently, many people argue that emerald is the most expensive precious colored stone of them all.
What rocks contain diamonds? ›Diamonds are known to be carried to the earth's surface in only three rare types of magmas: kimberlite, lamproite, and lamprophyre. Of the three types, kimberlites are by far the most important, with several hundred diamondiferous kimberlites known.
Are black rocks worth anything? ›BlackRock net worth as of June 02, 2023 is $102.12B.
How much is the most expensive rock in the world? ›
Blue Diamond
There are only a few mines in the world that mine blue diamonds—Australia, India, and South Africa. The most expensive blue diamond so far is the Oppenheimer Blue Diamond, which was sold at a mind-blowing US$57.5 million.
The price of painite averages an eye-watering $50,000 to $60,000 per carat. This high price is due to how rare painite is. While it doesn't reach the value of the most expensive rubies, it's still an exceptionally valuable gem.
Which is expensive emerald or diamond? ›Emeralds are rarer and often more expensive than diamonds
When it comes to rare and expensive gemstones, most of us immediately think of diamonds, but, in fact, emeralds are more than 20 times rarer than diamonds and, therefore, often command a higher price.
Platinum. There are four precious metals used in jewelry: platinum, gold, silver, and palladium. Of the four, platinum is often the most expensive and definitely the most exclusive. It's 30 times rarer than gold and used in a purer form.
What rock is more valuable than gold? ›Red beryl is estimated to be worth 1,000 times more than gold and is so rare that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.
What is the most expensive rock or crystal? ›1. Blue Diamond – $3.93 million per carat. Blue diamond is a type of diamond which exhibits all of the mineral 's inherent properties except with the stone's additional element of blue colour. They are colored blue by trace amounts of boron which contaminate the structure of the crystalline lattice.
Who owns painite? ›It is owned by Dion and his family, as stated by the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ). Painite was named after British mineralogist Arthur CD Pain, the first to discover it in the 1950s in Myanmar.
Where is painite found in the world? ›Where is Painite Found? Myanmar remains the sole source of painites. In addition to Ongaing, the type locality, Kyauk-Pyat-Thet in Mogok and Namyazeik in Kachin State have produced gem-quality material.
What does raw painite look like? ›Painite is a red stone, though raw crystals may appear pink due to pink rubies growing on the stone. Brown and orange are possible undertones, with orange-brown being the rarest painite color. The stone's coloring is caused by chromium and vanadium impurities.
What is more valuable than diamonds? ›There are many gems that are more valuable than diamonds. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, and alexandrite, just to name a few.
Are rubies worth more than diamonds? ›
Generally speaking, rubies are more expensive than diamonds due to rarity. However, this isn't a hard and fast rule. The main consideration for both of these stones is quality, depending on the 4Cs of color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, though how these factors are weighted is different between rubies and diamonds.