5 Rare Gemstones and What They Are Worth
The forming of gemstones is an incredible process that transforms minerals into precious stones. Minerals are found on the Earth’s crust, and after they are mined, they are cut and polished to become gemstones. Each mineral holds value, and the rarer the mineral, the more valuable the gemstone becomes.
Because of their beautiful appearance, gemstones are the perfect starting point for pieces of jewelry. The jewelry is priced based on the value of the gems. A rare gemstone is priced much higher because it’s impacted by the supply and demand chain, which places value on rarity.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the world’s rarest gemstones and their worth.
1. Paraiba Tourmaline
Discovered over three decades ago, the Paraiba tourmaline gemstone was first identified in an abandoned mine in Paraiba, Brazil. Thanks to its beautiful blue-green hues, this rare gemstone is a vivid, highly sought-after gemstone, known for its saturated color rather than its clarity.
Paraiba tourmaline’s breath-taking color ranges from radiant turquoise to a luminous blue-green, due to its formation process, which uses copper and manganese. This unique gemstone is rare because it’s so hard to unearth, making it a valued treasure. Paraiba tourmaline can vary in price. Its worth is estimated between $2,000 to $50,000 per carat depending on the quality.
Wabby’s has the largest collection of Paraibas in California. Shop our selection of paraiba jewelry and paraiba gemstones.
2. Tanzanite
Discovered in a small town in Northern Tanzania, tanzanite was first found in 1967, making it a relatively recent discovery. While tanzanite can be shades of blue, violet, and even green-yellow, the most sought-after hue is pure blue, similar to the treasured shades of blue sapphire. The heat treatment given to the rare gemstone enriches and intensifies the colors of tanzanite.
An official birthstone of December, tanzanite is currently worth $1,200 per carat but is predicted to increase within the next 20-30 years because of the diminishing supply in Tanzania. Shop our collection of tanzanite jewelry and tanzanite gemstones.
3. Taaffeite
Taaffeite is an exceptionally rare gemstone, with only a handful ever being found since its discovery. Small fragments were uncovered in Sri Lanka and Tanzania, but generally, Taaffeite is hard to source, making it a true rarity. This beautiful stone exists in a variety of colors and hues, from purple shades of violet, lavender and mauve, to blue, green and red, while it can even be colorless.
The value of Taaffeite differs depending on the color. For example, pinks and dark purples are worth a bit less, while higher saturated colors will be worth more per carat. Shop our taaffeite pendant necklace.
4. Pigeon Blood Ruby
A part of the ruby gemstone family, the pigeon blood ruby gem is a rare variety. Originally discovered in the mines of Burma, the pigeon blood ruby has since been found in other areas of the world, such as Madagascar, Vietnam and Afghanistan. This rare gemstone’s unusual name allegedly derives from the locals in Burma who named the most vibrant rubies ‘ko-twe’, translating to ‘pigeon’s blood.’
The birthstone of July, this rare gemstone, is a popular choice thanks to its highly saturated bright red vibrancy and outstanding clarity, one of the most important characteristics of rubies.
Collectors can expect to find this special ruby for numerous prices. Its value increases depending on the size and carat. Shop our collection of ruby gemstones or ruby jewelry.
5. Alexandrite
As one of the most expensive rare gemstones we carry, alexandrite is highly valued thanks to its mesmeric ability to change color. When held in sunlight, alexandrite shines green, while incandescent lighting changes it to red.
First discovered in the Ural mountains of Russia in 1833, the stone was named after Czar Alexander II. The official birthstone of June has also been mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Asia but remains a rare gemstone to acquire.
The highest priced rare gemstone on our list, alexandrite’s worth changes depending on the size. Often found smaller than one carat, alexandrite is worth around $15,000 per carat. However, if a larger gemstone is on offer, the worth can shoot up to a staggering $70,000 per carat. Shop our collection of alexandrites.
