Beyond Diamonds: The World of Rare Gems
Diamonds are beautiful, but many gemstones are far rarer – and far more valuable. One of the main factors that makes a gemstone valuable is its rarity. Collectors and investors alike find these stones especially appealing.
But what makes a gemstone rare? It’s a combination of geological conditions, unique chemical makeup, and desirable visual qualities. Rarity can also depend on market demand and how accessible a gem is.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the rarest gemstones in the world, looking at what makes them special, where they come from, and what they’re worth. We’ll take a look at Painite, Musgravite, Red Beryl, Alexandrite, Paraíba Tourmaline, Jadeite, and Tanzanite.
Painite: An Extremely Rare and Complex Stone
Once considered the rarest mineral on Earth, painite gets its name from British gemologist Arthur C.D. Pain, who first discovered it in Myanmar.
For many years, only a handful of painite crystals were known to exist. The gem’s complex chemical composition is partly to blame for its scarcity.
Key Characteristics and Value
Painite stones come in a range of reddish-brown and orange-red shades. With a respectable hardness on the Mohs scale, painite is a durable gem.
Because of its rarity and unique properties, painite is highly prized by collectors. Today, a painite gemstone can fetch more than $60,000 per carat.
Musgravite: Mysteriously Rare and Exquisite
Musgravite is a gemstone so rare, it seems almost mythical. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so special.
Origin and Relation to Taaffeite
First discovered in the Musgrave Ranges of Australia, musgravite is part of the taaffeite family of minerals. It’s only been found in a handful of places around the world, because it needs a very particular set of geological conditions to form.
Properties and Significance
Musgravite comes in a range of colors, from green to gray to purple. Its hardness and clarity make it especially appealing to gem collectors and jewelry designers.
Because it’s so rare, a musgravite gem can cost anywhere from $35,000 to $40,000 per carat. Its scarcity makes it highly prized.
Red Beryl: A ruby-red treasure
Want to talk rare? Red beryl is one of the rarest gems on Earth. It’s approximately 1,000 times rarer than diamonds and even rarer than emeralds. This crimson gemstone is found primarily in Utah’s Wah Wah Mountains.
Red beryl’s formation depends on a very specific set of geological conditions that are only found in a few places on the planet. It gets its vivid red hue from the presence of manganese.
If you’re looking to buy, expect to pay upwards of $10,000 per carat. As “The Concierge Gemologist” points out, the price is driven by its rarity.
Alexandrite: The magical color-changer
Alexandrite is a stone that exhibits pleochroism, which means it changes color depending on the light source.
Color-changing properties
In daylight, alexandrite appears emerald green or peacock blue, but under incandescent light, it looks ruby red or purplish-red.
The presence of chromium in the gem’s composition is what causes this magical color shift, which makes it a highly sought-after gemstone.
Origin and value
Historically, alexandrite was associated with Imperial Russia, but these days, it’s found in other locations around the world, though it’s still quite rare.
An average price per carat can range anywhere from $15,000 to $70,000, or more, depending on the quality of the stone. Its rarity and color-changing ability contribute to its high value.
Paraíba Tourmaline: The Neon Wonder
If you’re looking for a gemstone that’s truly unique and dazzling, look no further than the Paraíba tourmaline. These gems are known for their distinctive neon blue and green shades, a vibrancy caused by the presence of copper and manganese.
Originally discovered in Brazil’s Paraíba region, they’ve since been found in Mozambique and Nigeria as well. But even with these additional sources, Paraíba tourmalines remain exceptionally rare.
The price per carat can range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the color saturation, clarity, and size of the stone. Its intense color and limited availability contribute to its high price. When it was first discovered, the Paraíba tourmaline “shocked the gem world.”
Jadeite: The Pinnacle of Eastern Elegance
Jadeite is most highly prized in East Asian cultures, especially in China, where there’s a saying that “Gold has value; jade is invaluable.”
Of all the types of jadeite, Imperial Jadeite is the most valuable. With its intense green color and translucence, it’s considered the top of the line. But its value depends on more than just its composition.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the artistry of the carving is often factored into the price of a jadeite piece.
Value Factors and Rarity
Exceptional pieces of jadeite can fetch up to $3 million per carat, with translucence and texture being the most important qualities.
The high value of jadeite is driven by its relative scarcity and its cultural importance, both of which have made it a desirable commodity for centuries.
Tanzanite: A Gem Born of Fire
Tanzanite is found only in one place on Earth: Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro. Its violet-blue color is caused by intense heat, sometimes enhanced by heat treatment after it’s mined.
Tiffany & Co. played a big part in popularizing tanzanite, and its discovery is relatively recent; it was first unearthed in the 1960s. Geological conditions limit the formation of tanzanite to that specific area of Tanzania.
The average price of tanzanite ranges from about $500 to $3,000 per carat, but estimates show that tanzanite deposits will be depleted in another 20 to 30 years.
Other Gemstones That Are Incredibly Rare
While painite is considered the rarest gemstone, there are other gems that are also extremely difficult to find.
- Ammolite. These fossils from the Rocky Mountains are known for their rainbow colors, iridescence, and play of color.
- Kashmir sapphire. This gem is famous for its velvety blue color, and it’s incredibly rare today. Prices keep going up and up for these stones.
- Benitoite. This sapphire-blue gemstone has only been found in San Benito County, California. It’s considered California’s rarest gemstone, and it has a diamond-like fire.
What makes a gemstone rare?
Several factors contribute to a gemstone’s rarity, including:
- Geological Conditions: Gemstones need very specific conditions to form. This includes the right mix of elements and minerals. And, because of the Earth’s geology, these conditions only exist in a few places.
- Chemical Composition: Some gems have unique chemical formulas. They require a precise combination of elements.
- Optical Effects: Certain optical properties can make a gem more desirable, such as color change or iridescence. Pleochroism, where a gem shows different colors from different angles, is another example.
Thinking about investing in rare gemstones? Here’s what you should know.
If you’re considering buying a rare gemstone, here’s some important advice:
- Make sure it’s real. Always get a certificate from a well-known gemological lab. This will help you be sure that the gemstone is what the seller says it is.
- Do your research. Before you spend any money, get a handle on the market. What are similar stones selling for? Is there a demand for this particular gem?
- Don’t be fooled by synthetics. Synthetic gemstones may look the same, but they don’t have the same value as natural stones.
In Closing
The beauty and rarity of the world’s rarest gemstones give them a special appeal. Their cultural and historical value is often much greater than their monetary worth.
Collectors and enthusiasts are drawn to them because of their unique physical properties and their scarcity. For some, rare gems can also be a worthwhile investment opportunity.
With continued exploration and an appreciation for their unique qualities, these treasures will continue to fascinate us for generations to come. The allure of rare gemstones is truly timeless.