Diamonds have long been regarded as the “ultimate” gemstone, cherished and valued by people as a measure of status and wealth. However, these diamonds are actually not as expensive compared to many other gemstones listed below. The price is so high that even diamonds have become quite ordinary.
Top 5 Gemstones More Expensive than Diamonds
Diamonds Were Once Very Rare
In fact, the rarity of diamonds has been acknowledged. We have diamond samples excavated in South Africa dating back to the 1800s. By 1888, De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd was established, monopolizing all diamond production and distribution activities. This corporation engaged in stockpiling diamonds and limiting supply, significantly increasing both the demand and price of diamonds.
While white diamonds are relatively abundant, some varieties with more distinctive colors are truly rare. For instance, blue diamonds can fetch prices of $3.93 million per carat, while pink diamonds are valued at $1.19 million per carat (1 carat is approximately 200 milligrams).
However, as people have discovered many other types of gemstones, diamonds no longer hold a monopoly on rarity and value. Let’s explore which gemstones have surpassed diamonds, some of which you may have never even heard of.
Jadeite
This type of stone is composed of sodium aluminum silicate and is very hard.
Jadeite (often referred to as jade) is a type of gemstone that can be green, with some variants appearing in red, lavender, yellow, or black. This stone holds significant cultural importance in China, among the Maori, and in Mesoamerica. It is composed of sodium aluminum silicate and is very durable. Currently, jadeite gemstones are primarily sourced from two countries: Myanmar and Guatemala, with some found in mines in Russia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, but these are much rarer.
Painite
This is the rarest gemstone in the world.
Painite is an extremely rare gemstone, arguably the rarest in the world today. Discovered by British mineralogist and gem dealer Arthur CD Pain in the 1950s, this deep orange-red stone was found in Myanmar, and currently, there are only about 25 specimens known worldwide. The molecular formula for Painite is CaZrAl9O15(BO3).
The unique color and rarity of Painite in nature give it a price range of $50,000 – $60,000 per carat.
Musgravite
The largest Musgravite stone to date weighs 5.74 carats.
The Musgravite gemstone is named after the Musgrave Range in South Australia, where it was first discovered in 1967. Subsequently, other olive-gray stones were found in Greenland, Antarctica, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. It is a silicate mineral composed of beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), and aluminum (Al). The largest Musgravite stone to date weighs 5.74 carats, and its value is approximately $35,000 per carat.
Alexandrite
This stone was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia.
Alexandrite is the next name on this list. It is considered a unique gemstone with striking characteristics, such as vibrant colors reminiscent of a chameleon. Under daylight, the stone appears like a shimmering peacock, and under incandescent light, it showcases a blend of ruby-red and purple hues.
This stone was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830 and is named after Tsar Alexander II. Alexandrite can be valued up to $12,000 per carat.
Red Beryl
Its color is produced by minerals mixed within the crystal.
Red Beryl, also known as red emerald or Bixbite, has been found in areas of Utah, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, and is a rare red gemstone. Its chemical formula is quite complex: Al2Be3Si6O18 (beryllium silicate).
Its color is also due to the minerals mixed within the crystal. Depending on its clarity and purity, the price can vary, but its value is at least $10,000 per carat.
