10 Most Expensive Gemstones

Gemstones are one of the world’s most popular natural treasures. Throughout history, people have appreciated them for many different reasons. While they’re most commonly loved for their aesthetic appearance, they are also known for their healing properties and religious symbolism. The distinct characteristics of such stones make them popular all over the world. While all gemstones are precious, some are rarer than others. This factor significantly impacts their value, along with other things such as grade, size, and colour. But which stones are the most expensive? In this article, we explore the 10 most expensive gemstones in the world.

10. Tanzanite

The first gem on the list is tanzanite, a stone first discovered in 1967. As the name suggests, tanzanite is found in northern Tanzania; to this day, the precious gem is sourced only in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The stone first became popular when Tiffany and Co. started using it in their jewellery. While the stone is deep blue in colour, it can easily be distinguished from sapphire by its violet hue. As the supply of tanzanite is depleting, its value is expected to skyrocket in the next 15-20 years.

9. Black Opal

Currently, black opals are the most valuable opal in the world. Featuring a dark body, the stone is often used as a backdrop for more colourful gems. Most black opals in circulation are sourced from Lightning Ridge area in New South Wales. Because of this, they are considered one of Australia’s national treasures. The most expensive black opal in the world is known as the “Royal One” and is currently valued at $3 million. Interestingly, the precious gem went unreported for almost 20 years before the founder decided to sell.

8. Red Beryl

Red beryl is found in various Utah regions, Mexico, and New Mexico. However, only those mined from Utah’s Wah Wah Mountains have been of gem-quality. Such stones exhibit a darker red colour than those found outside of the mountains and hold a much higher value. Red beryl is one of the rarest varieties of beryl and falls into the same category as emerald. Because of this, many collectors refer to red beryl as “red emerald”. Like their sister stone, red beryls often come with fractures and inclusions. Perfect stones are so rare that their value can reach up to £10,000 per carat.

7. Musgravite

Like black opal, Musgravite was first found in Australia. As the name suggests, the stone was discovered in the Musgrave region, in 1967. Today, musgravite is so rare that only eight gem-quality stones have been mined since 2005. The few stones that were found featured a range of colours from greyish purple to olive green. The incredible rarity of this gem makes it difficult to value; however, experts suggest that top-grade musgravite could sell for almost £35,000 per carat.

6. Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a rare gemstone that changes colour over time. This feature doesn’t only make the stone beautiful, but it also adds value. The stone was first discovered in Russia in 1833. While most Alexandrite is still mined in Russia, they’ve also been found in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and India. As the stone is rarely found in sizes larger than one carat, bigger stones hold exceptional value. The world’s largest faceted Alexandrite is owned by the Smithsonian Institute. The cushion-cut gem weighs 65 carats and is valued at over £4 million.

5. Emerald

Loved for their exotic green colouring, emeralds are one of the most popular gemstones in the world. Today, the stone is found in four different countries: Zimbabwe, Brazil, Colombia and Zambia. As most emeralds feature minor imperfections, a natural emerald without flaws can sell for a mind-blowing price. Currently, the “Rockefeller Emerald” is the most expensive emerald in the world. Bought by John D. Rockefeller as a gift for his wife, the stone was later passed down to their son and sold. When it was auctioned off, the gem went for just over £5 million, making it the most expensive emerald ever sold.

4. Ruby

Known as the “King of Gemstones”, rubies are found in a range of bright red hues. Depending on the stone, the colour can range from a light pink to a deep red. Since it was discovered, the gemstone has been a symbol of love, passion, and zest for life. In 2015, Sotheby’s auctioned off a rare Burmese ruby and sold it for over £30 million. Named the “Sunrise Ruby”, the 26-carat stone became the most expensive ruby ever to be sold.

3. Pink Diamond

All coloured diamonds are rare; however, pink diamonds are the rarest of them all. According to recent figures, the pink stones make up less than 0.1% of the annual production of diamonds. When sold at auction, pink diamonds often surpass £1 million for price per carat. In 2017, a beautiful pink diamond was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong for almost £70 million. Labelled the “Pink Star”, it was the largest pink diamond ever graded as ‘Internally Flawless’ by professionals.

2. Jadeite

Jadeite is the rarest and most vibrant gemstone in the jade family. The stone is found in a variety of colours, including yellow, black, and red; however, green jadeite is the most common. Currently, the most sought after colour is a semi-transparent green known as “Imperial Jade”. In Chinese culture, jadeite symbolises prestige and status. In 2014, a jadeite necklace that once belonged to Barbara Hutton was sold at auction. Known as the “Hutton-Midivani Necklace”, the jewellery was sold for £27 million to the original designer of the necklace, Cartier.

1. Blue Diamond

Currently, the most expensive gemstone in the world is blue diamond. Whenever it’s expected to appear at an auction, collectors line up for a chance to own the exceptionally rare beauty. The stone is so rare that collectors are more than happy to spend millions of pounds to get their hands on one. In 2016, an emerald-cut blue diamond appeared at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction. Known as “The Oppenheimer Blue”, the gemstone sold for almost £60 million. Although the Pink Star is still the most expensive gemstone ever sold, the Oppenheimer Blue breaks the record for the most valuable price per carat.

In Summary

So, there you have it – the 10 most expensive gemstones in the world. If you’re lucky enough to own one of these beauties, hold on to it! You’ve got something very special in your hands.