Most Valuable Stones On Earth

Stones have been valued and admired by humans for centuries. When we think of valuable stones, the first thing that comes to mind is usually diamonds. 

But of all the stones on earth, along with diamonds, there are a few that stand out as the most valuable and sought after. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of precious gems and unveil the top contenders for the title of "most valuable stones on earth". 

From their origins, characteristics, and why they continue to be highly sought after despite their exorbitant prices, you're sure to get a lot of interesting information. So get ready to discover the true worth of these dazzling treasures that adorn crowns, rings, and necklaces around the world. 

How Is The Value Of A Stone Determined? 

Before we delve into the list of the most valuable stones on earth, we will first learn how stones are valued, based on what makes one stone more valuable than another. Below are these crucial factors:

• Rarity: A stone's value increases with its rarity. This is because finding and extracting rare stones like diamonds or rubies requires a great deal of work and resources.
• Cut: A stone's cut increases its value since it affects how light passes through it. A well-cut stone will dazzle and shine the most, increasing its value.
• Color: In some stones, specific hues are highly valued. The color's value is also influenced by its saturation and intensity.
• Size: Typically, larger stones are rarer than smaller ones, which makes them more valuable. However, size alone does not determine the worth of a stone; all the other factors must be considered as well.
• Clarity: Because they reflect light more effectively and appear more bright, stones with fewer defects are valued higher.

Based on the above factors, excellent stones have determined their value and remain among the most valuable stones on earth.

Most Valuable Stones On Earth

In this section, let's explore some of the most valuable rocks on earth. Each of these gemstones attracts human fascination due to their unique characteristics, exceptional beauty, and considerable value.

Let's see which stones are on this list:

10. Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a captivating gemstone known for its stunning deep blue to violet hues. Discovered only in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, it remains one of the most geographically limited gemstones, with all known reserves confined to a mere few square miles.

Tanzanite is celebrated for its exceptional pleochroism, which means that it displays different colors when viewed from different angles. It often shows vibrant blues, mysterious purples, and even flashes of red and burgundy in expertly cut stones.

The value of Tanzanite is around 1,200 USD per carat, depending largely on its quality, size, and color depth.

As gemstone reserves deplete and mining becomes increasingly challenging, Tanzanite’s value is expected to rise, further cementing its status as one of the most cherished and sought-after gemstones on the planet.

9. Black Opal

Black opal is one of the rarest and most valuable varieties of opal, primarily found in the Lightning Ridge region of New South Wales, Australia. These stunning gemstones are renowned for their dark body tone, which beautifully contrasts with the vivid play of color that dances across their surface.

The value of black opals can vary significantly, but high-quality specimens can fetch prices upwards of $9,500 per carat. Stones that exhibit a strong and vibrant play of color against a true black body tone are the most valuable.

Black opals are highly sought after not only for their stunning visual appeal but also for their rarity. The limited geographical distribution of black opal deposits adds to their exclusivity, making them a captivating choice for collectors and gem enthusiasts.

8. Red Beryl

Red Beryl, sometimes called "bixbite" or "red emerald," ranks among the rarest and most valuable gemstones globally. This rare gem was first found in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah in the early 1900s, and it remains the primary location for gem-quality red beryl to this day.

Red beryl's value can reach up to $10,000 per carat, and sometimes even higher, depending on the stone's size, color intensity, and clarity. This high value is driven by the combination of its striking beauty and extreme rarity.

Fine quality specimens that exhibit deep, saturated red and minimal inclusions command the highest prices in the market. The difficulty in mining red beryl also adds to its value, as extracting high-quality stones is a meticulous and challenging process.

This combination of natural beauty, scarcity, and exclusivity ensures that red beryl holds a special place among the most coveted gemstones in the world.

7. Musgravite

Musgravite is an extremely rare gemstone that was first discovered in the Musgrave Ranges of South Australia in 1967. Due to its rarity, musgravite is highly prized by gem collectors and enthusiasts.

Musgravite typically ranges in color from grayish-purple to greenish hues. Prices for musgravite can be very high, with beautiful specimens fetching around $35,000 per carat.

Its rarity and distinct hues ensure that musgravite retains a prestigious position among the world's most sought-after gemstones.

6. Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a unique and enchanting gemstone renowned for its remarkable color-changing properties. Originally discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830s, this gem quickly garnered attention for its ability to shift colors—from green in daylight to red under incandescent light.

The value of alexandrite can vary widely, often $75,000 per carat for top-quality stones that exhibit dramatic color shifts, clarity, and size.

The rarity of gem-quality alexandrite and its mesmerizing color change make it a highly coveted gemstone, cherished by collectors and jewelry lovers around the globe.

5. Emerald

Emerald is perhaps the most famous member of the beryl family and is renowned for its lush, verdant hue. Revered through the ages, emeralds have been treasured since ancient times and are often associated with royalty and aristocracy. Primary deposits are found in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil.

Emeralds owe their green color to trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. These inclusions are often referred to as "jardin," or garden, due to their mossy appearance.

High-quality emeralds can command prices upwards of $305,000 per carat. The gemstone's timeless beauty and historical significance make it a perennial favorite in the world of fine jewelry.

4. Ruby

Ruby is a gemstone symbolizing passion and vitality, distinguished by its rich red color. Major sources of rubies include Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Madagascar.

Rubies obtain their red coloration from traces of chromium, and stones can display a range of red shades, from pinkish-red to a deep pigeon-blood red, the latter being the most prized.

The presence of inclusions, often called "silk," can sometimes enhance a ruby's value by diffusing light and intensifying its color. Top-quality rubies can achieve prices of $1,18 million per carat.

The color, clarity, size, and origin all play critical roles in determining a ruby's value, with Burmese rubies being particularly prized. The combination of hardness, rarity, and vibrant color ensures rubies remain one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world.

3. Pink Diamond

Pink diamonds are among the rarest and most coveted gemstones in the list of most valuable stones on earth, celebrated for their enchanting beauty and extraordinary value.

These diamonds are primarily found in the Argyle Mine in Australia, which until its recent closure, was the world's largest producer of natural pink diamonds.

The pink coloration in diamonds results from unique structural distortions within the crystal lattice, which alter the way light is absorbed and reflected. These stones often exhibit a mesmerizing array of pink shades, ranging from delicate pastels to vibrant, intense pinks.

The value of pink diamonds is exceedingly high, often reaching prices of over $1,19 million per carat for top-quality stones. The allure of pink diamonds is further amplified by their intrinsic hardness, being some of the hardest substances known to mankind.

This renders them not just beautiful but also highly durable, enhancing their appeal for use in fine and heirloom jewelry. Color intensity and underlying hue are major determinants of value, with the purest and most vibrant pinks commanding the highest prices.

This combination of striking beauty, extreme rarity, durability, and romantic allure secures pink diamonds' place as one of the most coveted and valuable gemstones in the world.

2. Jadeite

Jadeite is the most prized variety of jade, known for its exceptional beauty and cultural significance, especially in East Asia. The highest-quality jadeite is found in Myanmar and its vibrant, translucent green coloration is particularly admired.

Known for its vibrant green hues, jadeite can also appear in an array of other captivating colors, such as lavender, red, yellow, and even white. Jadeite's mineral composition includes sodium and aluminum, contributing to its glossy and smooth texture.

The depth and intensity of jadeite’s color, combined with its translucency, create an almost mystical appearance that has fascinated gem enthusiasts for centuries. Jadeite prices can soar, often exceeding $3 million per carat.

Collectors and jewelry designers highly prize jadeite for its versatility and durability. Its hardness allows skilled artisans to carve intricate designs, while its range of colors and patterns can be showcased in both classic and contemporary settings.

Jadeite's cultural importance and splendid green hues secure its position among the most valuable gemstones.

1. Blue Diamond

Blue diamonds are among the rarest and most visually captivating gemstones on Earth. Found predominantly in the Cullinan Mine in South Africa and the Argyle Mine in Australia, these diamonds are prized for their stunning blue hues, derived from the presence of boron within the crystal structure.

The enchanting blue hue of these diamonds can vary significantly in terms of saturation and tone, offering a spectrum from light, icy blues to deep, rich navy shades, with stones exhibiting darker, pure shades being the most highly prized.

The value of blue diamonds can reach astronomical levels, with some exceptional specimens fetching prices upwards of $3,93 million per carat. Collectors and jewelry enthusiasts value blue diamonds not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for their exceptional durability.

Blue diamonds are ideal for crafting into enduring pieces of jewelry that can be cherished for generations. Their resilience ensures that the beauty of these splendid gemstones remains untarnished over time.

The unparalleled rarity, combined with their mesmerizing beauty, ensures blue diamonds remain one of the world's most precious gemstones, highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Above are the top most valuable gemstones on Earth, each with its unique characteristics and allure. Whether for their cultural significance, intrinsic value, or stunning beauty, these gemstones continue to captivate and fascinate people all over the world.

Conclusion

The world of gemstones is a fascinating and diverse one, with each stone possessing its unique qualities and captivating allure.

Their rarity, beauty, and durability make them not just coveted possessions but also symbols of wealth, power, and love. Their timeless appeal and enduring value ensure they will always remain among the most valuable stones on Earth.

So, we hope this list has provided you with insight into some of the most valuable stones on Earth, and perhaps inspired you to add one to your collection.