Top Ten Rare Gemstones in the World

In the world of gemstones and fine jewellery buyers, jewellery companies, gem merchants and jewellery enthusiasts alike are on the lookout for the next major gemstone type. Since rarity and beauty are the two determining features of a precious gemstone, followed by other distinguishing characteristics, such as the ability to change colour depending on the lighting conditions the gemstone is subjected to.

Under these main criteria, the world of fine jewellery has produced a list of top gemstones: which have broadly divided into precious and semiprecious stones. The precious ones on the list we have all heard of: are diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. In the semi-precious list, we have a host of gemstones that themselves divide into a variety of subcategories. However, for simplicity's sake, the semi-precious ones are viewed together, with certain gemstones rising to the top. Among these are the beautiful purple amethysts, the red garnet, the sea blue aquamarine etc.

However, even within these semi-precious and precious gemstone categories, we have certain specialized variants. Gemstone types, which whilst carrying the name of the main gemstone category (i.e. diamond, garnet or sapphire) vary in terms of colour, rarity and other special qualities: Enter the world of the rare gemstones. In addition to these sub-variants in the popular gemstone range, we also entirely new categories of gemstones that are distinct in terms of their mineral character. Giving rise to special new gemstone types for you to consider.

.1 Alexandrite

The colour change is the gemstone. Alexandrite is one of the rare but up-and-coming gemstones in the world. Long recognized for its distinct quality to changing its colour tone depending on the lighting condition, this royal gem, which was once a mainstay of the Russian imperial house, is now one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. Originally sourced from Russia, the Ural mountains in the South – Western part of the vast nation, alexandrite was first unearthed during the 19^th century and was a source of fascination for members of the Russian royal household. In time the supply of alexandrite gems ran out in the Russian empire, and gem enthusiasts sought after new sources.

Today alexandrite gems have been unearthed in several nations. From Ceylon, Burma and Brazil to even parts of India. Alexandrite sources tend to concentrate in areas where there are beryllium deposits (i.e. emerald). To understand the character of alexandrite gems it is worth contrasting them with the famous green emerald.

Alexandrite is a variant in the chrysoberyl, however, unlike most gemstones with this chemical makeup (beryllium-aluminium), alexandrite contains trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. These combinations are extremely rare in nature. Hence the rarity of alexandrite gems. The special feature of this gemstone is that exhibit different hues, from blueish-green during daylight to a bright crimson-like red under incandescent light. If you are in the market for alexandrite stones, we at Brilliyond might be able to help you.

.2 Argyle Diamonds

Colour in diamonds is often viewed as a negative quality. If you are familiar with GIA’s (D – Z) colour change chart, you will know that the value of the diamond decreases the level of colour-which corresponds to a higher level of warm tone, that eventually regresses to a point where it seems yellow or brown. When it comes to colour in diamonds, there is a distinct category of diamonds that are valued for their distinct colour, in addition to the basic quality factors, which are identified via the 4Cs: that measures the gemstone’s carat, cut, clarity and colour (i.e. the lack of colour).

With coloured diamonds, also known as fancy coloured diamonds, colour is an important variable. The most popular hues in the fancy-coloured diamond range are blue (the famous blue diamonds), pink diamonds, and yellow diamonds. There are also green diamonds which have recently entered the market. In the world of fancy coloured diamonds arguably the rarest variant, and hence the most precious is the Argyle diamond.

Argyle diamonds are sourced from the legendary Argyle mines of Western Australia. Argyle diamonds which were mined by the great mining giant Rio Tinto for almost four decades are known for their red to pink hues, along with other coloured diamond varieties, in addition to the classical white or colourless diamond. With Argyle pink and to a lesser extent red diamonds, you get this rich hue, that is almost like fresh bubble gum, that is virtually unmatched anywhere in the world of gemstones. Now since the mines in Western Australia have run out today we are left with gems that are in special auctions and rare diamond collectors. Hence their rarity.

.3 Padparadscha Sapphires

Sapphires are among the rarest gemstones in the world. Whilst as a collective, they are not the rarest, sapphires are quite rare, rarer than diamonds. Thus sapphires already come with an added advantage. However, for this list, looking at some of the rarest gemstones in the world, we are looking at a very specific variant in the corundum crystal family. A variant in the pink sapphire group, and is the Padparadscha sapphire.

Padparadscha sapphires were originally from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and feature a specific pink, or orange hue that corresponds to the lotus flower, as it is hit by the glow of the setting sun. The unique combination of hues with slight variations that are captured in the Padparadscha sapphire makes it a wonderful gemstone, and a rare natural mineral. As there are only a few of these gemstones on the market, the possession of gem-quality stones in the hands of jewellers is even rarer. If you are interested, however, in owning a gem-quality Padparadscha sapphire engagement ring then you may not have to look too far.

.4 Imperial Topaz

First off what is the difference between an ordinary topaz gemstone and the royal variant? Topaz is a readily available semi-precious stone, a silicate mineral, that is not the rarest. Topaz, like several other gemstones in this list, comes in a variety of hues: yellow, pink, and even blue. Which is among the rarer topaz variants. However, the Imperial Topaz is a special variety, which features a rich glowing orange to red-like tone. One that shines with great brightness and that can vary in terms of vividity depending on the specific gemstone. A key contributor to the high value of imperial topaz is that this version of topaz is only sourced from South America: from the legendary mines of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil.

.5 Benitoite

Benitoite is arguably the rarest gemstone in the world. And the official gemstone of the state of California. The gemstone consists of a barium titanium silicate mineral: and is typically blue. The main sources of these gemstones are hydrothermal rocks. Is a variant in the serpentine group of minerals, that form as a result of geologic activity known as hydrothermal metamorphism. The chemical composition of Benitoite is Ba Ti(Si 3O9).

To reiterate the first point, this is an extremely rare rock. As of the present, benitoite gems are only found in one part of the world in a single nation: San Benito County in the State of California in the United States. Nowhere else. Benitoite can be identified by its dark, luminescent brilliant blue, which can glow when subjected to UV lights in the dark. The stone is still the subject of scrutiny by gemologists and other experts and is known to be found in a variety of different hues.

.6 Red Beryl

Entering the list of six of the rarest gemstones in the world is the red beryl. Berle or short for beryllium is a popular mineral that is found in another, more well-known precious stone: the emerald. As rare as emeralds are, what is rarer is the red variant in that family of gemstones. One of the rare findings in nature is said that one red beryl is equal in rarity to the 100, 150 thousand gem-quality diamonds.

Also referred to as bixbite, it is virtually identical in its chemical composition to emeralds, however, it differs in a significant way in that it contains the metallic element manganese, which gives rise to its colour. What sets red beryl apart from the rest is that gem-quality red beryl stones are unearthed only in a few places on Earth. Most notably in North and Central America. With Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah leading the way for being the top source of these gemstones.

.7 Paraiba Tourmaline

The next entrant on the list is another variant of a more popular and common gemstone: the tourmaline. Tourmalines are a large group of minerals, that fall under the boron silicate range. Known for their great diversity of stones that vary concerning their chemical character, however, they find common ground in their physical structure. Thus various types of tourmalines exist with different chemical compositions and hence seem different from the outside, with notable differences in colour, colour zoning (degree) and the type of crystallization.

The Paraiba tourmaline is a glowing blue-turquoise version of the tourmaline, that is sourced from the Paraiba and the Rio Grande do Norte regions of Brazil: the only country in the world where these are sourced from. The gemstone depending on the quality features neon blue features that stand out from the rest. And depending on the cut of the stone features diamond-like scintillation and brilliance.

.8 Black Opal

Opal is an ancient stone, whose use goes back thousands of years. Hydrated silica, which means it is not technically a crystal, is like the other gemstones that make up this list. Opals, as some would know are the national gemstone of Australia. The country has a long-established tradition of mining these stones. Opals are found in several hues, however, their notable distinction is the combination of colours in which they are found.

Here the black opal comes out on top, as a gemstone with a broad dark base, with various red, sometimes green or blue, sometimes all of the above. The key difference is the dominance of the black hue, which gives its distinct presence.

.9 Painite

A very form of borate mineral that is sourced from the Mogok region of the gem-producing nation of Myanmar. It is a rare gemstone because gems with this chemical composition are extremely rare in nature. Characteristic of the region (South East Asia) which produces rich red gemstones, like the ruby, the painite is one such addition. Albeit an extremely rare one.

.10 Jadeite

Closing off our top 10 rarest gemstones is the jadeite. And as the name implies this too is a variant, with the more popular jade being the hard jade colour (a type of green) being the best recognized. The more common gemstone is the nephrite variant, with the most expensive variety, the jadeite, being the rarer one that is filled with aluminium, unlike the magnesium-filled latter. Jadeite is also the more durable variant, coming to a full 1 point higher in the Mohs scale for hardness.

So there you have it. The top 10 rarest gemstones in the world. Whilst this list is not an exhaustive one, there are other rare gemstones out there. Our pick has been the top rare but recognizable gemstone types, which you can, if you try to get hold of. Best of luck.