When people think about the most expensive gem in the world, they think it could be a beautiful diamond with a spectacular cut. Some would think of rubies and sapphires, while others would think of other popular precious stones. For some, it’s all about the carats.
Gemstones are any naturally occurring mineral that has aesthetic and commercial significance. However, the price of valuable gemstones is only sometimes high.
Unsurprisingly, the industry’s leading jewelry designers showcase the most expensive gemstones. However, there are also two things they share. These dazzling jewels are hard to come by. Even though many valuable diamonds nowadays are created in a laboratory, these are all genuine, untreated stones.
However, not all of them are typically utilized in jewelry. It may be challenging to locate certain items in a conventional jewelry shop. Precious stone prices are susceptible to change, as is the case in many other industries, whenever a new gem is discovered.
1. The Blue Diamond ($3.93 million/pc)
An untreated, natural blue diamond is the rarest and most valuable diamond variety. This explains why a single carat costs $3.93 million. In 1839, a collection of blue diamonds was on show in London after its discovery in India. Blue diamonds get their characteristic color from traces of boron. Royalties from all around the world have been seen donning blue diamonds.
A small number of mines in India, South Africa, and Australia supply them. One of the most costly engagement rings ever was made by BVLGARI, and it featured a blue diamond.
2. Aquamarine ($1000-$1500/pc)
As a versatile gemstone, aquamarine can be utilized to create attractive earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings. You can choose from a variety of aquamarine ring designs, such as solitaire, halo, and three-stone bands. Additionally, aquamarine is thought to strengthen marriage and bring contentment and a sense of community to a happy couple.
To determine the worth of an aquamarine gem, prospective buyers can consult an aquamarine value chart. A general estimate for the price per carat of an aquamarine is $675 for a 1-carat stone and $1,000 to $1,500 for a stone that weighs 2-3 carats.
If you want to buy an authentic Aquamarine, you can explore Leibish’s aqua gemstone catalog. Leibish is a leading online merchant and renowned expert in the field of high-end diamonds and jewelry, specializing in natural fancy-colored diamonds and gemstones.
3. Pink diamond ($1.2 million/ pc)
Pink diamonds are the second most valuable jewel here. Like red diamonds, pink diamonds are considered fancy-colored stones. In 1990, after their discovery in India, pink diamonds were first brought to the market.
The Pink Star is the most renowned pink diamond and is notable for its immaculate clarity inside and out. Pink diamonds can fetch upwards of $1.2 million per carat. The creation process is so intensely compressed that it produces a pink color.
4. Red diamond ($1 million/pc)
A genuine red diamond is the third most expensive gem. Red diamonds are so rare that one carat of them can cost as much as $1 million. Fluorescent nitrogen and boron are responsible for coloring these beautiful gems. Brazil was the location where red diamonds were first uncovered in 1989. The majority of diamonds used today come from Australia’s Argyle Mine.
5. Emeralds ($100,000/ pc)
When compared to other precious stones, emeralds may be quite inexpensive. Rare and exceptionally clear emeralds can fetch $100,000 or more per carat. Beryl is the mineral family that includes emeralds. Mining for them began in Egypt around 1500 BCE.
Currently, Brazil, Zambia, and Colombia are the primary countries of origin. Although emeralds are associated with the month of May, there are many other, less expensive birthstone options that have been color-treated or are lab-created on the market today.
6. Painite ($50,000/pc)
On this ranking of the most expensive natural gemstones, painite is in the top five. Painite, an extremely rare borate, sells for roughly $50,000 per carat due to its scarcity.
It was found in Myanmar in the 1950s and misidentified as a ruby at the time. In any case, it’s available in a plethora of different shades. Painite is unusual in that it is almost always offered in crystal form rather than faceted.
7. Taaffeite ($35,000/pc)
As you might expect from such a precious gem, taaffeite is reserved for the most exquisite of jewelry. Taaffeite, with a price tag that can reach $35K per carat, is easily distinguished by its unique hexagonal crystal structure.
Even though its origin is a mystery, it was originally uncovered in Dublin in 1945. It is notable for its variety of colors and for being one of the earliest stones discovered to contain both beryllium and magnesium. There is a range of opacity in taaffeite.
8. Musgravite ($35,000/pc)
Musgravite is one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. Musgravite, a mineral discovered in 1967, is still mined predominantly in South Australia’s Musgraves Ranges.
This oxide mineral has a trigonal crystal structure and a polished luster. Because it is a transparent diamond, clarity is critical in evaluating whether a stone will sell for the prevailing price of $35,000 per carat.
9. Grandidierite ($20,000/pc)
Grandidierite, a magnesium aluminum borosilicate, was Taaffeite first uncovered in Madagascar in 1902. The cubic lattice structure of grandidierite makes it a desirable material for jewelry sets and beading.
Its watery shade causes people to mistake it for less expensive jewels. Cabochons fashioned from grandidierite can fetch upwards of $20,000 per carat. The colors range from light turquoise to bluish-green to green.
10. Alexandrite ($15,000/ct)
Alexandrite is a surprisingly valuable gemstone. The name “emerald by day, ruby by night” refers to its tendency to shift color depending on the time of day. The Ural Mountains were the site of the 1830s discovery of this precious diamond.
The mineral chrysoberyl comes in several varieties; one of these, alexandrite, is one of June’s birthstones. Though it’s easy to find a synthetic version of Alexandrite, natural Alexandrite can cost as much as $15,000 per carat.
There you have it, the world’s ten most valuable jewels. Which one would you select if you had a choice? It is important to remember that while certain gemstones are the most costly, they are not always the most unique. Pearls, for example, are the only jewels that come from a living species.
A pearl necklace is also one of the most traditional items available, and it may be used to complement any ensemble. Next, while turquoises are not as rare as red beryls, their beauty is unparalleled. Finally, while topaz is not the most expensive gemstone, its vast spectrum of hues distinguishes it in its own right. Choose a distinctive stone for yourself.