<p>-
- A ranking of the most valuable gemstones in the world</p>
<p>Angeline Smith August 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM</p>
<p>When someone says "gemstone," diamonds and rubies probably pop into your head first. There's no denying that they're rockstars of the jewelry world. However, apart from them, there's a whole lineup of lesser-known gems setting records. Here are 35 of the world's priciest stones, from affordable to absolutely outrageous.</p>
<p>35. Amblygonite ($51–$108 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Amblygonite tends to give off a soft, almost dreamy vibe because of its mint green and pale yellow shades. It can even come in lilac or salmon-pink. However, it's high in lithium and cleaves easily, which makes it best for display and not for wearing.</p>
<p>34. Enstatite ($59–$81 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>This mineral often gets ignored, but its green variety from South Africa can be stunning. Unlike its metallic cousin, bronzite, Enstatite is translucent when flawless. Though its hardness is only 5.5 to 6, gem-cut examples occasionally surface, with a clean, glassy finish that feels almost alien in tone.</p>
<p>33. Axinite ($59–$540 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Axinite is composed of distinct blade-like crystals with sharp edges that can make it look like an axe head. It has a way of grabbing attention by shifting colors under changing light, like a mood ring. The version from Tanzania's Merelani Hills, known as magnesio-axinite, adds an unusual violet tinge.</p>
<p>32. Kornerupine ($64–$121 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>You don't see Kornerupine in most jewelry shops. It often shows off a green-blue color that shifts in the light. Instead of the usual crystal shapes, it forms in tight, column-like clusters. Tilt a cut stone and you'll catch flashes and subtle movement inside. It is not common, but it is worth a second glance if you ever spot one.</p>
<p>31. Hiddenite (around $100 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>It sounds like video‑game lore, but Hiddenite is an emerald‑green gem from North Carolina and Afghanistan. Its chromium‑driven color and pleochroism rival emeralds, while perfect cleavage makes faceting tricky. There was even an Afghan crystal that sold for about $5,500, while a colossal 4.5-pound piece fetched $11,209 at auction.</p>
<p>30. Spinel ($800–$15,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>Spinel, long mistaken for rubies, finally stepped out of their shadow. These crystals form in octahedrons and come in so many hues; they can also be colorless. The Crown Jewels of England even contain one. Unlike corundum, Spinel has a single refractive index, which gives it a cleaner, almost hypnotic transparency.</p>
<p>29. Pearl ($100–$1,500 per piece)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>South Sea pearls, though not technically gemstones, can break six‑figure prices. Golden or creamy strands from the giant Pinctada maxima oyster fetch over $100,000. The most astonishing example? A 75-pound non-nacreous "Pearl of Puerto" found in Palawan, Philippines. It is rumored to be worth $100 million, though its authenticity remains unverified.</p>
<p>28. Spessartine Garnet ($1,500–$3,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Spessartine's orange color hits you right away. The best stones, especially those bright "Fanta" shades, stand out among garnets and can go for several thousand dollars a carat. Jeweler brands like Bulgari have picked them for their eye-catching rings. What sets spessartine apart is how it catches light, with a clean, fiery look that's hard to miss on the hand.</p>
<p>27. Jeremejevite ($2,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Jeremejevite doesn't show up often in gem collections. It was first found in Siberia, but Namibia is where the real prize pieces come from—icy blue, sharp, and rare. Most are tiny, sometimes barely bigger than a grain of sand. Anything over a few carats turns heads in the gem world, so that 40-carat stone that sold for $90,000 is more of an outlier than standard.</p>
<p>26. Pezzottaite ($2,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>It looks like raspberry sorbet in solid form, but Pezzottaite packs a mineralogical punch. It was misidentified initially as a beryl, but now it's classified separately due to higher cesium content and can only be found in Madagascar and Afghanistan. Stones above 10 carats tend to have that deep pink hue that pops under sunlight.</p>
<p>25. Fire Opal ($2,300 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>These gems from Mexico seem to glow from within, radiating orange or red tones. Unlike the common opal, fire opals can be transparent and are sometimes faceted. Their color is due to iron oxide, not internal play-of-color. Their best examples look almost molten, like crystallized lava mid-eruption.</p>
<p>24. Tsavorite Garnet ($2,000–$8,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Tsavorite first turned up near Kenya's Tsavo National Park, and its color is unmistakable—an intense green that stands up to any emerald. It doesn't need any treatment to look its best, which gives it an edge with collectors. On the Mohs scale, it's tough enough for everyday wear.</p>
<p>23. Poudretteite ($3,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>This pinkish-lavender gem was first found in a Canadian quarry operated by the Poudrette family. It's a potassium-rich borate mineral that was barely known outside geology circles until gem-quality crystals emerged in Myanmar. The Smithsonian's 9.41-carat stone is the ultimate showpiece for gem nerds.</p>
<p>22. Black Diamond ($3,000–$5,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Black diamonds, loaded with graphite and full of internal fractures, weren't even considered precious until recently. Their matte, armor-like appearance makes them feel industrial yet edgy. The Korloff Noir, weighing 88 carats, is insured for $37 million. That stone alone shifted public opinion on these sooty marvels.</p>
<p>21. Demantoid Garnet ($3,300 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>This one has a dispersion higher than diamonds. We're talking about Demantoid Garnets. First discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains, they're usually green due to iron and chromium. They also contain "horsetail" inclusions, which are tiny fibrous byproducts of asbestos, strangely desirable in this case, adding character instead of lowering value.</p>
<p>20. Black Opal ($3,500 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>Black Opals are filled with varied colors dancing across a dark backdrop. Their body tone amplifies color play, giving them that galaxy-in-a-stone effect. One famous piece, nearly 2,000 carats, is named "Halley's Comet." The name kind of says it all.</p>
<p>19. Benitoite ($4,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Benitoite isn't just California's state gem; it's one of the rarest blue stones you'll find anywhere. Only San Benito County produced it, and that mine has been closed since 2006. Hold a piece under UV light and it glows electric blue, a trick that makes it easy to spot for those in the know.</p>
<p>18. Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye ($4,000–$15,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Ebay</p>
<p>This gem's chatoyancy, otherwise known as the "cat's eye effect," is unreal. It's caused by tightly packed needle-like inclusions inside. It has a hardness of 8.5 and is both tough and entrancing. The best pieces display a sharp, well-centered eye against golden or greenish backgrounds.</p>
<p>17. Ruby ($4,500 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>As the ultimate power stone, ruby gets its redness from chromium, which also causes the internal glow called fluorescence. Myanmar's "pigeon's blood" rubies are considered top-tier. Warriors once wore them into battle, believing they brought invincibility. Now they mostly show up in auctions and on red carpets.</p>
<p>16. Musgravite ($6,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Musgravite, mainly in Australia's Musgrave Ranges, is closely related to Taaffeite but even harder to source. It's composed primarily of magnesium and aluminum oxide and can appear gray, greenish, or violet. Most gem labs still confuse the two, so authentic, tested Musgravite is a serious win.</p>
<p>15. Padparadscha Sapphire ($8,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Punsiri Gems</p>
<p>Its salmon-pink hue sets Padparadscha apart from every other sapphire. The name comes from the Sanskrit word for lotus flower. Most come from Sri Lanka, though a few surface in Madagascar. Unlike typical sapphires, this one blends pink and orange in a way that almost looks sunlit from within.</p>
<p>14. Red Beryl ($10,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>This deep raspberry gem is found almost exclusively in Utah's Wah Wah Mountains. It's composed of beryllium, aluminum, and oxygen, with manganese for that vivid color. Unlike emeralds, it doesn't grow large—most crystals are under 1 carat. That scarcity makes even tiny pieces incredibly sought after.</p>
<p>13. Paraiba Tourmaline ($10,000–$20,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Geology Science</p>
<p>Paraiba tourmaline has a bright blue or green color caused by copper. It was first found in Brazil in 1989 and later in Africa. Stones are rare and sell for high prices. A pair of Paraiba earrings once sold for nearly $3 million. Collectors want Paraiba because supply is low and the look is unique.</p>
<p>12. Alexandrite ($12,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>Emerald green in daylight, ruby red at night, Alexandrite is like a magic trick. It was first uncovered in Russia and is now also mined in Brazil and Sri Lanka. A 21.41-carat stone fetched $1.4 million, though the largest ever, over 122,000 carats, is uncut and totally mythical.</p>
<p>11. Taaffeite ($15,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Count Richard Taaffe unknowingly bought a cut stone in 1945 that turned out to be entirely new to science. Most Taaffeite pieces today show lavender or mauve tones and high birefringence. It's often mistaken for spinel, but its double refraction and magnesium content tell a different story.</p>
<p>10. Serendibite ($18,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Sri Lanka remains the primary source of Serendibite, which is often opaque and almost blackish-blue. It has a deep, inky appearance and complex composition involving calcium, boron, and aluminum. Most cut examples are under a carat, and clean pieces are so limited that full gems are mostly lab-tested to confirm authenticity.</p>
<p>9. Diamond ($18,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>While diamonds are abundant in jewelry stores, only a tiny fraction rates as flawless and colorless. The Great Star of Africa, a 530.2-carat cut from the 3,106-carat Cullinan rough, remains the largest cut diamond on record. It sits in the British Crown Jewels, guarded by history and tradition.</p>
<p>8. Emerald ($18,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Emeralds trace their origins to Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil, with color derived from chromium and vanadium. These beryls almost always have inclusions, which traders call "jardin." The 18.04-carat Rockefeller Emerald, nearly inclusion-free, sold for $5.5 million, becoming a benchmark for what a perfect emerald looks like.</p>
<p>7. Grandidierite ($20,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Madagascar's own mineral superstar, Grandidierite, is trichroic, which means it shows three colors depending on the angle: blue, green, and colorless. Most crystals are translucent or opaque, while clear ones are incredibly limited. The gem was named after explorer Alfred Grandidier, who probably had no idea he'd inspire a jewelry obsession.</p>
<p>6. Jadeite ($20,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>The finest jade isn't the green pebble from your old bracelet; it's Jadeite, ultra-smooth and often apple green or lavender. The Hutton-Mdivani necklace, with 27 beads, sold for $27.4 million. Chinese emperors prized this stone for centuries, and collectors today still treat it like precious royalty.</p>
<p>5. Painite ($50,000–$60,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>At one time, only three crystals of Painite were known worldwide. It's an extremely hard borate mineral that includes zirconium and vanadium, giving it a reddish to brown hue. Discovered in Myanmar, a 213.52-carat cut specimen now belongs to the Medici Collection. That piece alone changed its classification from myth to mineral.</p>
<p>4. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond ($50,000–$200,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Ebay</p>
<p>The Graff Vivid Yellow, weighing over 100 carats, fetched more than $16 million. What makes these diamonds valuable isn't just color; it's saturation, purity, and lack of brown tint. These stones get their sunshine hue from nitrogen atoms disrupting carbon structures. The brighter and cleaner the yellow, the higher the price.</p>
<p>3. Blue Diamond ($52,000–$300,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: Wikimedia Commons</p>
<p>Only a few mines like Cullinan and Argyle produce these blue wonders. Boron gives them their iconic color, and clarity pushes their value sky-high. The Oppenheimer Blue, at 14.62 carats, sold for $57.5 million. Its intensity and flawless cut made it one of the most expensive gems ever auctioned.</p>
<p>2. Pink Diamond ($500,000–$700,000 per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>These blush-hued stones account for just 0.0001% of all diamonds. The now-closed Argyle Mine in Australia produced most of them. The 59.6-carat Pink Star shattered records at $71.2 million. Stones with no visible inclusions, type IIa classification, and intense color are practically unicorns in the gem world.</p>
<p>1. Red Diamond ($1 Million per carat)</p>
<p>Credit: iStockphoto</p>
<p>The crown jewel of rarity, red diamonds owe their color to atomic-level distortions. Nearly all are under 1 carat. The 5.11-carat Moussaieff Red Diamond is valued at $20 million. These gems are so rare that they make other diamonds look common. Under 30 true red diamonds have ever been confirmed.</p>
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