The cheapest gem depends largely on the size of the stone, quality and type. Very small, low-quality gemstones such as amethyst, tourmaline, and Topaz may be available for a few dollars per carat. Low-quality emeralds or rubies may be available for a few hundred dollars per carat.
Higher quality, cut and polished stones however can range in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars per carat. For example, high-quality diamonds, rubies, emeralds or sapphires are some of the most expensive gemstones.
That said, opal, turquoise, turritella agate, quartz, and garnet are some of the least expensive and most readily available gems.
What gem is rarer than diamond?
Some of the rarest gems in the world are more rare than diamonds, such as Musgravite, Painite, Red Beryl, and Grandidierite. Musgravite is a type of rare metamorphic mineral which was first discovered in Musgrave, Australia in 1967.
With a hardness of 8-8. 5 on the Mohs Scale, Musgravite is much harder than diamonds, which are only a 10 on the Mohs Scale. Painite is also extremely rare, with only 25 known gem quality specimens, making it 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.
Painite can be found in Myanmar and has a ORANGE-RED color. Red Beryl is a beryllium rich mineral that was first discovered in Utah. This gem is so rare that it is sometimes known as ‘Scarlet Emerald’ or ‘Red Emerald.
‘ Grandidierite is an incredibly rare gemstone, so rare that some gemologists consider it to be the rarest gemstone in the world. With a hardness of 7. 5-8, it is slightly softer than diamond. Grandidierite can be found in Madagascar, and it often has a bluish-green or greenish-blue color.
All of these rare gems are much rarer than diamonds and are highly valuable.
What are the top five rarest gems?
The five rarest gems in the world are:
1. Musgravite: A rare gemstone that is highly sought after for its bright luster and very high refractive index, musgravite is found in only two places in the world – the Musgrave mountains of Australia and the mountains of Madagascar.
It is composed of beryllium aluminium silicate, and it has an unusual range of colors, such as violet, yellow-green, orange, and pink.
2. Jeremejevite: An extremely rare gemstone created out of aluminum, boron, and fluoride, this particular gemstone is found solely in Namibia. It is known for its unique blend of colors, ranging from yellow, yellow-green, blue-green, and even pink.
3. Grandiderite: Grandidierite is a combination of magnesium and iron and is categorized as an orthorhombic silicate mineral. It is found in Madagascar and Sri Lanka, and it is known for its combination of blue and green colors, as well as its beautiful, vitreous luster.
4. Taaffeite: A silicon oxide mineral created out of magnesium, this rare and beautiful gemstone is found in several areas, such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and even Ireland. It is known for its colors, which range from pink, purple, blue, red, and brown.
5. Painite: Painite is perhaps the rarest gem in the world, as it can only be found in certain areas of Myanmar. It is composed of calcium and zirconium, and it is known for its red, yellow, orange, and brown colors.
It is also known for its strong trichroism.
Which birthstone is more rare?
The rarity of birthstones depends on the stone in particular- for instance, according to some sources, Tanzanite is the rarest birthstone, because of its unique color and limited geographical availability.
Other precious stones considered rare include diamond, amber, and opal. Other rare stones, such as emerald and pearl, are less rare than those mentioned above. However, those seeking the rarest birthstones should consider the rarity and scarcity of individual stones when making their choice, because the factors that affect their rarity and availability can vary.
Generally, prices for the rarest of stones tend to also be higher.
Is diamond rarer than Ruby?
Yes, diamond is rarer than a ruby. Diamond is the hardest natural material and is highly sought after for its brilliance and rarity. Diamonds are formed over millions of years under extreme pressure and have a unique molecular structure which sets them apart from all other stones.
Rubies, on the other hand, are also highly sought after for their color and transparency but are not as rare as diamonds. Rubies require less time to form and can be found in many different colors and sizes, depending on the country of origin.
Diamonds are typically sold in brilliant shapes such as round or princess, while rubies are usually cut into a variety of shapes to enhance their appearance. In general, diamonds are much more expensive due to their rarity, whereas rubies are priced more moderately.
Is diamond the rarest stone?
Yes, diamonds are considered to be the rarest stone because they are the hardest-known natural material and the most valuable on Earth. Diamonds are not only rare because of rarity but also because the geological conditions to produce them don’t exist in many places.
In fact, diamonds are only naturally found in a handful of countries around the world and even in these countries very few diamond deposits exist. The difficulty of mining diamonds, and the limited supply, means that diamonds are more expensive than almost any other gemstone.
As a result, diamonds are highly sought after and considered to be the rarest of stones.
How rare is amethyst?
Amethyst is considered quite a common stone in the wider world of gemstones. However, less common varieties, such as those with deeper hues, have increased in value significantly over the decades. This is due to a decrease in the availability of some natural sources, combined with a growing demand for them.
Because of their popularity in jewelry, the demand for amethyst has grown exponentially in recent years. This has further impacted their desirability and led to individual specimens becoming more rare.
For example, Brazilian amethyst is said to be one of the rarest forms and commands a much higher price than other varieties.
Another factor affecting amethyst’s rarity is the abundance of recently mined material. This means that recently found gemstones are of much higher quality and often commands a larger price tag than their older counterparts.
Overall, amethyst is considered quite rare for a gemstone, with some of the more prized specimens commanding very high prices. Nevertheless, since amethysts are abundantly available in various locations around the world, they remain somewhat common in the grand scheme of things.