Gems are one of the most beautiful gifts Mother Nature has to offer us. This beautiful and unassuming planet is home to some of the most mesmerizing gems. If you didn’t know any better, you would think that these stunning gems were out of this world. We all know about the veterans of the gemstone market; the diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, so on and so on. However, there are some that you probably haven’t even heard of. This is likely due to the fact that they are incredibly rare. It is safe to say that you simply cannot stroll into your local jeweler to find these rare gemstones perched on the shelf waiting to be purchased. While some of these gemstones that we will cover today can be purchased for an incredibly hefty price, you would otherwise need to be the luckiest person on Earth to stumble upon one or even have the chance of owning one. With that being said, let’s take a look at our list of the 10 Rarest Gemstones On Earth.
1. Tanzanite
We will start off our list with what is easily the rarest gemstone of the face of the planet. The only place in the world where you can find this gemstone is in Tanzania, around the coveted Mount Kilimanjaro. The stone, which got its name from its country of origin, is one of the rarest gemstones on the face of the planet. Unsurprisingly, what is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular jewelers, Tiffany & Co, found it fitting to give this stone this name.
After it was discovered in 1967, it was temporarily proclaimed the best and rarest gemstone of the 20th century. With all the attributes of the stone, it is no wonder why. The stone’s color scheme is a unique combination of brilliant blue with tints of purple around the edges. Fortunately, curtsy to the fact that ninety percent of the tanzanite merchants are members of the Colored Gemstone Association, it’s only traded via official means and to the biggest jewelers from every corner of the world.
If you are looking to purchase this stunning stone, then you will have several options to choose from. You can find this stone plated on a variety of rings, earrings, and bracelets. But you can expect to pay upwards of $1,000 for even the smallest set of earrings. Today, this coveted stone was granted the honor of representing December’s birthstone by the American Gem Trade Association.
2. Taaffeite
This gemstone, which is pronounced “tar-fite” contrary to popular belief, manages to be a really strong competitor for the title of the rarest gemstone in the world. This unique stone was named after Richard Taffy who discovered it in October of 1945. Taffy found this gemstone in a jewelry shop in Ireland Because of the limited quantities available in the world, it is considered to be one of the rarest gemstones to exist. The overall look of this gemstone is rather unique. Unlike sparkling and dazzling gemstones, taaffeite features a muted purple matte finish that is dazzling in its own right. Since its initial discovery, only a few more pieces have been found. Taaffeite comes in a variety of hues, ranging from essentially colorless, to shades of brownish violet, lavender or blueish.
3. Black Opal
You’ve obviously heard of opals before, but what about black opals, the rarest gemstone and most valuable of their kind? The name itself is enough to get your ears to perk up with excitement. When you take a look at a black opal, you are sure to be just as riveted. Black opal is considered to be the national gemstone of Australia. And pieces of it can only be found in the Lightning Ridge mine from New South Wales. What truly makes a black opal stunning is the contrast between the dark color of the body and the “fire” of the stone. This is what creates an eye catching play of colors on its surface. A black opal gem is simply stunning to look at. With black opal, you can expect to find the dazzling kaleidoscope of colors that traditional opal offers. But with black opal, the flecks of darker hues that range from pure black to dark blue or dark green are simply magnificent. Why wouldn’t it be considered the rarest gemstone with such beauty? Although it is rather rare, you will likely have a great chance of getting your hands on this gemstone as opposed to some of the other options on our list. You can find this beautiful stone in certain retail stores. Of course, with any of the rarest gemstone, you can expect to pay quite a pretty penny for this pretty gem.
4. Benitoite
The west coast of North America is home to some of the most stunning gemstones in the world. California is home to some of the rarest gemstones you will ever get to come across. Because of this, it is unsurprising that this next stone is California’s own national gemstone. Benitoite can be found in the only commercial mine in the world in San Benito Country. Unsurprisingly it is because of this location that the stone derives its name. It was first discovered in 1907 by renowned prospector James M. Couch. He first discovered the stone in the sand Benito Mountains right between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Since its discovery, it has been widely appreciated for its color, which is a mix of blue and purple. Though it allegedly glows in a shade of chalky blue under a UV light.
This magnificent stone is unique because it forms only in low temperatures where high pressure is present such as that which exists in the subduction zone of the West Coast. After its discovery, it was later found in parts of Japan and Arkansas as well. Today, you can get your hands on this stone in a variety of settings. It is most popularly used in earrings and bracelets, but you can also find it in necklaces and rings as well. While benitoite is sold in jewelry, given its rarity, I think it’s safe to say that purchasing one isn’t exactly in everyone’s budget. No wonder it is considered one of the world’s rarest gemstones.
5. Red Beryl
Red beryl is a member of the beryl family along with the more generally known emerald, which is why it’s often referred to as the “scarlet emerald.” Because of its appearance and composition, it is certainly the rarest gemstone everyday consumers can get their hands on. Bixbite, as it’s also called, was discovered in the early 20th century, and so far the only places where it can be found are in Utah and New Mexico, with the former hosting the only commercial red beryl mine in the Wah Wah Mountains. When you look at this beautiful gemstone it is clear to see why it is such a stunning piece. Not only is it the rarest gemstone, but it features a stunning red hue that makes it pop in ways that only rare gems do.
6. Alexandrite
Alexandrite is considered to be the rarest of all colored gemstones. In fact, alexandrite even went through a time when it was thought to be extinct. For the sake of its brilliant beauty, we are glad it is not. It was thought to be extinct because of the exhaustion of the Ural Mountains mines that were at the time the only sources where this precious stone was found. When it was first stumbled upon in 1830, it won the hearts of spectators everywhere almost instantly. This is because of its fascinating ability to change colors depending on the light cast upon it. When polished, this stunning stone has the ability to shift from green to red. After new reserves have been found in places like Brazil and Sri Lanka, alexandrite re-entered the markets and has continued to hold its place as one of the rarest gemstones in the world. In fact, to date, it’s deemed as more valuable than emeralds, sapphires, and rubies.
7. Jadeite
Jadeite is one of the component minerals of jade, along with nephrite, though it can, fortunately, be found in a solid form of itself too. In fact, jadeite is countless times more valuable than its better known semi-precious stone. This is mainly because of its translucent, raw green color. However, its color can range from white to pale apple green to a deep jade green. There are also facets of this stone that are a blue green hue, pink and even lavender. When it comes to its natural occurrence in nature, jadeite can be found in California, New Zealand, Guatemala, and Japan. There have been other reserves located in Kazakhstan, Russia, British Columbia, Canada, and Italy. The best example of its value was exhibited in 1997 when a woman sold a jadeite necklace for no less than ten million dollars. Though it is possible to get your hand on the rarest gemstone, jadeite, you should be warned that it will cost you a pretty penny.
8. Musgravite
If you thought taaffeite was a rare gemstone, meet its even more limited and scarcer cousin, musgravite. For many years, the only resources of this rare gemstone could be found in South Australia, with more surfacing only recently, in places such as Tanzania, Madagascar, Greenland, and Antarctica. Even with the increase in mines, musgravite remains one of the rarest gemstones on Earth. The stone gets its name from its original location of Musgrave ranges South Australia, the location it was originally found. Though it is a member of the taaffeite family, this stone is unique in its own right. It features a unique translucent appearance. This translucent offers it an elegant in its own right. You can also find the stone in a gray green to green color as well. When polished, it looks magnificent on rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
9. Painite
Painite, the rarest gemstone that has a home in the Burright mineral family is one of the most stunning gemstones you will ever come across. Since painite was first discovered in a Myanmar mine in 1950, by British mineralogists and gem dealer, Arthur C.D. Pain, it has claimed the throne of the rarest gemstone by many all across the world. When Pain first found the stone he mistook it for sapphire, but then, after further identification, it was realized to be a new gemstone and was appropriately given the name of its founder.
Only twenty-five crystals had been found until 2005, when more sources have been discovered and explored. In fact, for decades, there were only two cut specimens in the world, so I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that it was as priceless as it gets. Today, it’s one of the rarest gemstones in the world and one of the most expensive. There are not many sources in the world and through expansive searching in Mogok did results in finding some reserves, it still remains to be the rarest gemstone one could hope to come across.
10. Pink Star Diamond
A list about expensive and famed gemstones wouldn’t be complete without our old buddy, the diamond, would it? Our next rare gemstone is not just any old diamond, however. The renowned Pink Star Diamond is considered to be the queen of rare gemstones. It’s rare and it’s a diamond, so it doesn’t come off as a shock that it also set a record. In 2013, an auctioned specimen was purchased by diamond cutter Isaac Wolf for the overwhelming price of $83 million. This was more than any other diamond or gemstone ever sold. Later, it was also Wolf who chose to rename the pink star as “The Pink Dream.”
The Pink Star Diamond is a 59.6 carat pink diamond. It features an oval mixed cut. And according to the Gemological Institute of America, this diamond holds the record as the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond. Not only does this diamond make up less than 2% of all gem diamonds in its rarity, but it is also the proud owner of the highest grades, clarity, and color as defined by the GIA. Is it safe to say that this is one of the purest pink diamonds on the face of this planet? It’s no wonder this treasure is renowned by so many and why it is considered to be the rarest gemstone on the face of the Earth.
Final Thoughts on the Rarest Gemstone
After going through our list of the rarest gemstone one could hope to own, it is clear to see that this beautiful rock we live on called Earth is home to so many precious gems that you may have never known existed. What’s even more so is the wonder that there might be even more stones that are yet to be discovered. The next time you walk into a jewelry shop, see if you can spot any one of these 10 rare gemstones. Although we are certain you likely won’t find them, there is certainly no harm in having a little fun! What’s your favorite rarest gemstone? Share with us your pick today in the comments section below.
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