Diamonds are often thought of as the most expensive gemstones in the world, but there are a few other gems that are even rarer and more valuable. In this blog post, we will explore the top 7 most expensive gems that are rarer than diamonds.
1. Red diamonds
Red diamonds are the rarest and most expensive colored diamonds in the world. As of today, there are only about 20 to 30 certified red diamonds known to exist in the world.
The largest red diamond in the world weighs a mere 5.11 carats. Red diamonds have the highest hardness of all gemstones, with a Mohs hardness of 10. They have a deep red or bright red color, sometimes with a purple hue.
Their prices range from $1 to $2.5 million per carat (about 21 to 52 billion VND).
2. Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a rare and unique gemstone, famous for its ability to change color depending on the surrounding light. Under natural sunlight, this gemstone will have a pale green color, but when placed under incandescent light, it will turn red-purple.
Although the majority of Alexandrite gems are relatively small, usually under one carat, those larger than one carat carry significant value. The price of these gems can range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 per carat, equivalent to approximately 1 - 21 billion VND.
3. Painite
Painite is an extremely rare gemstone, first discovered in 1950 by British mineralogist Arthur C.D. Pain in Myanmar. Until 2005, scientists had only found 25 specimens of Painite on the planet. For this reason, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Painite as the rarest mineral in the world in 2005.
Today, Painite is no longer as rare as it once was. A Painite mineral deposit has been discovered in Myanmar, the place where this stone is thought to have originated.
Painite is one of the most expensive gemstones in the world. Their prices range from $60,000 to $100,000/carat (about 1,248 to 2,072 billion VND). Larger stones with beautiful colors and high quality can be worth much more.
4. Grandidierite
Grandidierite has a characteristic blue-green color that can sometimes change to green or white, found primarily in Madagascar. It is named after the French explorer and naturalist Alfred Grandidier, who discovered it in 1902.
Grandidierite with only a few hundred stones known to exist in the world. Its price is very high, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 per carat (about 420 million to VND 1.05 billion).
5. Red Beryl
Red beryl, also known as red emerald, is a rare gemstone with a deep red color, found primarily in Madagascar and Brazil. It is considered to be a relative of emeralds and aquamarines, but red beryl is much rarer.
According to experts, these red emeralds are crystallized at extremely low pressure and very high temperatures, along cracks and voids containing volcanic magma.
Its prices range from $10,000 to $50,000 per carat (about $210 million to $1.05 billion VND).
6. Musgravite
Musgravite was first discovered in 1967 in South Australia. However, it wasn't until 1993 that specimens large and pure enough for cutting and evaluation of quality and value were obtained. As of 2005, only 8 specimens of Musgravite were confirmed to exist worldwide.
With a price of around 6,000 USD per carat, equivalent to approximately 126 million VND, Musgravite not only symbolizes rarity but also represents unique and luxurious beauty.
7. Benitoite
Benitoite is a rare gemstone with a mysterious blue hue, found primarily in California, United States. It is named after the San Benito River, where it was first discovered in 1907.
One of the most notable features of Benitoite is its ability to emit a vibrant fluorescence under UV light. Although Benitoite was discovered in the early 20th century, and its chemical composition has been studied for decades, the origin of its color and fluorescence remains a mystery.
Its prices range from $3,000 to $4,000 per carat.
In conclusion, we have explored the top 7 most expensive gems that are rarer than diamonds. These gems are all incredibly rare and valuable, and they are sure to capture the attention of any gemstone lover. If you are looking for a truly unique and special gemstone, then one of these gems may be the perfect choice for you.