What Is The Rarest Gemstone?

Gemstones have fascinated humans for centuries with their vibrant colors, captivating sparkle, and natural beauty. But what makes some gemstones stand out from the rest? What is the rarest gemstone, and why is it so elusive? In this post, we will identify the rarest gems in the world and examine the causes of their scarcity. Whether you're a gemstone enthusiast or looking to add a unique piece to your collection, understanding these precious stones can provide valuable insight.

The rarity of gemstones depends on many things. Geographical position is important because some precious stones are only found in specific places. Furthermore, the geological conditions under which some rocks form are so special that they’re rarely replicated. Then there is the crystallization of the stone, the amount of time it takes to engrave, and its total market price. 

The gems are formed under particular circumstances and in very few places on this planet, so there is little to be mined. Some gems are abundant in specific areas, and others are treasures where there isn’t much. They could be a rare color, pattern, or formation but are extremely scarce.

If you're looking to learn more about the rarest gems that exist, here are some of the most extraordinary stones ever discovered:

One of June’s birthstones is Alexandrite, a special chrysoberyl discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains in 1830. The same gemstone is renowned for its changing hue, from bluish-green under natural light to reddish-purple in artificial light. Russian sources of Alexandrite are gone, and so Alexandrite rocks are overpriced. The best Alexandrite will sell for over $15,000 a carat, and the Russian-origin crystal will command even higher prices as they are extremely rare.

Benitoite is one of the rarest stones on Earth because of its intense blue shade. First found in 1907 in the San Benito River in California, it’s clear sapphire. It is a gift to those who can find it because it is highly rare and found in a few places. The Benitoite mine was shut down in the mid-2000s, and the mineral was still uncommon. The price of Benitoite for stones greater than one carat runs from $3,000 to $4,000.

This very special garnet color morphs from blue-green during the day to crimson under the incandescent. Blue Garnet is the rarest and strangest garnet found in Madagascar. Blue Garnet can go for more than $1,500 a carat.

Cuprite is an oxide mineral of copper found in oxidized copper; it has a high refractive index and is deep red. It’s rare and gorgeous, so it’s an expensive gemstone (it can fetch $500 a carat).

This fire and brilliant green variety of andradite garnet was first found in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Demantoid Garnet. This one has horsetail inclusions and will fetch up to $10,000 a carat.

Euclase is a beautiful and rare gemstone, very lustrous and vivid. It is a beryllium aluminum silicate with the same refractive index as diamonds and is highly fire and brilliant. Euclase comes in all shades from white to blue and green, but deep blue ones are especially desirable as they’re hard to find and beautiful. 

The stone was found in the late 18th century, its name coming from the Greek words for "eu" (good) and "klasis" ("break"), a reference to its flawless cut that is not easily chipped or polished. This means it demands professional lapidaries, and the danger of breaking during cutting is part of its rarity and price. 

We can find Euclase in Brazil, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Colombia, but there aren’t many specimens of good quality that can be used as jewelry. Euclase is quite hard (6.5 on the Mohs scale), although it’s not for the faint of heart. With a carat value of up to $1,000, the gemstone is prized for its beauty and rarity. It improves clarity, intuition, and imagination in metaphysics and is widely practiced among the spiritually inclined.

Southern Madagascar is where the first Grandidierite was discovered in 1902. This unusual blue-green mineral is also pleochroic — it changes color depending on the direction you see it. Grandidierite is especially hard-resistant and suitable for making fine jewelry. But exceptional Grandidierite is scarce; the best pieces go for more than $20,000 a carat.

Hibonite, an oxide of calcium aluminum, is a rare gemstone, typically dark black or brownish-black. First found in Madagascar, a fossil of this color, and renamed for the French geologist Paul Hibon, collectors prize it for its rarity and uniqueness. Hibonite is one of the first minerals to appear when magma cools and has important lessons to teach us about the Earth’s crust and protosolar system. It is also abundant in meteorites and other hot mineral formations, so its scientific relevance is undoubtedly furthered. 

Because hibonite is a soft stone, with Mohs scoring around 7.5-8, it is difficult to cut and polish. This, along with its opaqueness and non-brightness compared to transparent gemstones, limits its use in jewelry. It is, however, extremely rare and of interesting origins and can fetch as much as $1,000 a carat. And yet, although hibonite is popular, its name is not known outside mineralogical and collector communities. 

Jadeite is one of two minerals we know as "jade" (the other is Nephrite), and Jadeite is the more valuable of the two. It is available in orange-red, lavender, yellow, and green. Most prized in Asian societies, Jadeite is culturally and visually valuable. This is the purest Jadeite, "Imperial Jade," which is transparent emerald-green and can sell for as much as $30,000 a carat.

Jeremejevite, a rare aluminum borate mineral named after Russian mineralogist Pavel Jeremejev, was initially a collector who highly sought it out. It is strikingly bright blue and pale yellow or blue-green. Jeremejevite is rare and colored, which can fetch up to $2,000 a carat.

This gemstone, originally smoky-colored, has been found in Australia’s Musgrave Ranges. Like Taaffeite in structure, musgravite is a rarity and demand item that can set you back as much as $35,000 a carat.

Painite, once listed as the rarest gemstone in the Guinness Book of World Records, is incredibly rare. Once thought to be the rarest mineral on Earth, with only a few specimens known to exist for many years, paynite was first found in Myanmar in 1951. Although more Painite specimens have been found in recent decades, only around 1,000 pieces have been unearthed, and many are unsuitable for cutting. Its deep red to brownish-red color and its rarity make Painite a precious gemstone. Top-quality stones can command prices as high as $60,000 per carat.

Also called "raspberry beryl," this exotic pink-to-red mineral was discovered in Madagascar. It’s often confused with red beryl or morganite but is a different mineral. Pezzottaite is worth up to $500 a carat.

Poudretteite was first identified as a new mineral species in 1987 after being found in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, in the 1960s. The Smithsonian Museum has the largest faceted piece of faceted poudretteite, weighing 9.41 carats. This stone can be as expensive as $3,000 per carat.

Red beryl, one of the rarest gemstones, was discovered for the first time in 1904 in Utah's Wah Wah Mountains. Only 5% of the stones carved are considered gem quality; most are too small to be cut. Manganese contaminants cause the gemstone's vivid red to raspberry-pink color. Because it’s rare and incredibly bright, quality Red Beryl can fetch more than $10,000 per carat.

Although it isn’t a common gemstone, Scolecite is an unusual mineral characterized by its narrow, needle-shaped crystals. It’s generally white or ovoid and more of a collector’s treasure than a mainstream jewel. 

Scolecite is rare because it’s produced only in volcanic cavities, is found only in certain geographical areas, and is extremely hard to mine. That’s why it’s attractive to collectors and gem lovers.

The rare stone was first discovered in Sri Lanka. It can be green, blue, or black. Collectors prize it because of its rarity and peculiar color. Serendibite can go for $18,000 per carat.

The gemologist Richard Taaffe discovered taaffeite in 1945. Because of its pale mauve hue, it was initially confused with spinel. Its primary sources are Tanzania and Sri Lanka. The Taaffeite crystal is a rare pleochroic stone that appears different from angle to angle. This gem is so rare that it can sell for up to $2,500 a carat.

Thanks to Tiffany & Co.'s marketing efforts, Tanzanite, discovered in 1967 close to Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, quickly rose to fame. This captivating blue-to-violet gemstone is often heat-treated to intensify its color. Found exclusively in a limited region of Tanzania, the supply of Tanzanite is expected to diminish in the coming decades. For high-quality stones, prices can reach as much as $1,200 per carat, making it a highly sought-after gem.

Uvarovite is an unusual and beautiful garnet stone emerald-green from chromium found in it. Typically, crystals are tiny, druzy crystals with a glistening surface. Uvarovite is Mohs-grade 6.5–7.5 and is fairly durable. But its small, sometimes transparent or opaque crystals are generally too fragile for ordinary jewelry. 

Uvarovite occurs in metamorphic rocks and chromium-enriched deposits. It is mainly obtained from Russia, India, Poland, and Canada. Because it is a small crystal, it is usually found as a pendant, earring, or brooch, with its glimmering surface fully visible. Mineral collectors collect uvarovite for its rarity and beautiful green color. Depending on the size and condition of the crystals, it costs anywhere from $400 per carat.

Some of the rarest gemstones in the world include Painite, Musgravite, and Red Beryl (Bixbite). These stones are scarce and prized by collectors.

No, rubies are generally rarer than diamonds, especially those with high-quality color and clarity.

Yes, emeralds, especially high-quality ones, are rarer than diamonds, as they are harder to find in top-quality forms.

No, opals are not as rare as diamonds, but some varieties, such as black ones, can be extremely hard to find.

We stock a wide range of quality beads here at Beads of Cambay, whether you’re shopping for gemstone beads for yourself or to add to your jewelry. We only offer quality gemstone beads; they are hand-selected and crafted. Visit our Gemstone Beads store to see the best stones. 

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