10 most precious gemstones in the world

Introduction

Precious Gemstones: Diverse people have different interpretations of gemstones. Gemstones are found naturally worldwide and are commonly used for ornamentation, but many people see religious symbolism, healing capabilities, and personal meaning in them. All gemstones, whether diamonds, rubies, or sapphires, have their unique charm. It separates each in its way. Despite this, some stones are more valuable than others. That is a feature that has a considerable impact on their worth. Size, grade, and colour are also essential considerations.

Even today, gemstones are prized for their beauty and rarity. Artisans painstakingly cut and polish these mineral crystals to expose their distinctive beauty and colour. Some are considered more precious than others, and museums and collectors will pay a large sum of money for them. We give you an insight into some of the most valuable and precious gemstones in the world.

10 most rare and precious gemstones in the world

While each gemstone is different from others and has the unique characteristic that sets it apart, some precious gemstones are extremely rare and valuable among people. We provide you with a list of 10 such precious gemstones that are popular across the globe.

1. The first gem on our list is Tanzanite, which was found in 1967. Tanzanite is only discovered in northern Tanzania, near the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, as its name suggests. After Tiffany and Co. began incorporating the stone in their jewellery, Tanzanite became fashionable. This sapphire has a rich blue-violet tint that sets it apart from the others. While $1,200 may not appear to be a large sum (particularly when compared to the other gems on our list), the market expects it to increase in the next 20-25 years. The scarcity of tanzanite is the main reason behind this.
2. While Red beryl has been discovered in Utah, New Mexico, and Mexico, only those mined in Utah's Wah Wah Mountains have been of gem quality. They come in a variety of darker red colours, all of which are equally captivating. This variation is one of the most unusual in the beryl family, which also includes emeralds. Collectors sometimes refer to red beryl as the "red emerald." Red beryls, like emeralds, are prone to inclusions and fractures. The cost of this rare diamond can approach $10,000 per carat, but only if you can acquire one for sale.
3. Alexandrite is a rare colour-changing stone. This makes Alexandrite not only stunningly attractive but also extremely precious. Though they were discovered in 1833 in Russia, they have also been mined in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and India. Surprisingly, they are nearly always found in carat sizes less than one. As a result, the price value of larger stone skyrockets. The Smithsonian Institute possesses the world's largest faceted Alexandrite, a cushion-cut stone weighing 65.08 carats and valued at more than $4 million. Smaller forms of alexandrite have been discovered in Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Asia, but fine alexandrite specimens remain extremely rare and expensive.
4. Emeralds, recognised for their distinctive green tones, are among the most renowned gemstones in the world. Brazil, Colombia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are the four powerful nations where they may be found. The majority of emeralds available on the market have minor flaws. As a result, if a flawless natural emerald becomes available for sale, it might command exorbitant prices. Experts predicted the renowned "Rockefeller Emerald" would smash records when Christie's revealed it would be auctioned off. John D. Rockefeller bought the 18.04-carat rock for his wife. It was afterwards passed down to their son and subsequently privately sold. It was bought for $5.5 million at Christie's auction or $305,000 per carat, making it the most expensive stone ever sold. 
5. Rubies, sometimes known as the "King of Gemstones," come in various brilliant red colours. They vary in colour from pink to deep crimson. The blazing gem is a symbol of zeal for life and desire. This notion was passed down down the ages by ancient societies who thought the colour resembled blood. In 2015, a rare Burmese ruby was auctioned off for over a million dollars at a Sotheby's event in Geneva. The 26-carat stone, dubbed "The Sunrise Ruby" after a poem by Rumi, the famed 13th-century poet, sold for $1.18 million per carat. That is an astounding sum, making it the most valuable ruby ever sold.
6. Black opals are the most valuable and sought-after opals on the planet. The stone has a dark body that serves as the scenic finish for the brilliant colour play. Black opals are nearly entirely found in the Lightning Ridge region of New South Wales. They are, without a doubt, one of Australia's national treasures. The "Royal One" is the world's most valuable black opal, valued at $3 million. On the market, some synthetic black opals and treatments are impossible to distinguish without the help of a lab. Make sure you purchase black opal from a trusted source.
7. Musgravite was discovered in 1967 and is considered the world's rarest gemstone. It was discovered for the first time in Australia's Musgrave Ranges and then in Madagascar and Greenland. In 1993, the first large gem-quality specimen was uncovered. There are perhaps 10 specimens of gem-quality stones identified and recorded. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that a consumer would find it on the open market because of the stone’s rarity. Due to the intersection between this gemstone and the less rare taaffeite gemstone, send it to a gemology lab for examination if you come across probable musgravite. Based on previously sold samples, the average price per carat is $35,000 a carat.
8. Coloured diamonds are the most precious gemstones on the planet. They're uncommon, but they're also famed for their amazing brilliance and the hardest mineral on the planet. They are perhaps the most popular gemstone among people, as well as the most promoted and idealised. Black, blue, champagne, chocolate/brown, cognac, green, pink, red, and yellow are among the many colours available. Its worth is at a whole different level, and it is pretty expensive. The Oppenheimer Blue and the Pink Star are two of the most spectacular examples. The Oppenheimer Blue diamond, measuring 14.62 carats and valued at $3.93 million per carat, is the biggest Vivid Blue diamond ever sold at auction, for $57.5 million. Meanwhile, the Pink Star diamond, a recent world record breaker, was sold for $71.2 million for 59.6 carats (or $1.2 million per carat), making it the most expensive gemstone ever sold based on its total weight.
9. Padparadscha sapphire- The world's rarest sapphire, padparadscha, has a stunning pinkish-orange tint that combines the colours of ruby and yellow sapphire. Because of its colour, it gets its name from the Sanskrit/Singhalese phrase meaning "aquatic lotus blossom." The majority of these stones come from Sri Lanka, although they also come from Madagascar and Tanzania. On the other hand, the better ones are generally found in Sri Lanka because the ones in Madagascar are pinker and so less expensive.

Although it comes in various green colours ranging from pale to bright, jadeite in a vivid, transparent green is the best of the best. Jadeite is appreciated for its extensive history, traced back to ancient Mesoamerica when the complex and dense mineral was employed in tools and armaments. Jadeite is now mainly sourced in Myanmar and can cost up to $30,000 a carat.

Conclusion

So there you go, the world's ten most valuable and precious gemstones. Which one would you choose if you had the option? While they are the most expensive jewels, they aren't necessarily the most unique. Whatever stone you opt for, pick a stone that has meaning for you.