This brief article is a continuation of the detailed analysis we did on high-priced gems and their value. If you want more details on gemstones, read 20 Most Expensive Gemstones in the World.
5. Painite
Average Price Range: $50,000-$60,000 per carat
Discovered in the early 1950s in Myanmar, Painite is a unique borate mineral named in honor of its discoverer, the British gemologist Arthur Charles Davy Pain. This gemstone remained one of the rarest for many years. Notably, between 1956 and 1979, only three individual crystals of Painite were known to exist. This extreme scarcity led to Painite being recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2005 for its rarity, with fewer than 25 specimens identified before 2004. Found predominantly in the alluvial deposits of Myanmar, Painite is typically associated with specific rock types, namely metamorphic and pegmatitic rocks.
4. Ruby
Average Price Range: $1-1.18 million per carat
Ruby’s impressive hardness, rated at nine on the Mohs scale, makes it ideal for various jewelry pieces, offering durability and resilience. Rubies are essentially red-colored corundum, a mineral that also forms sapphires. The distinction in color arises from specific impurities within the mineral. In the market, natural rubies are prized far above their synthetic counterparts, which are often used as affordable alternatives. Among rubies, those possessing the unique ‘pigeon’s blood’ shade, predominantly found in Mogok, Myanmar, are highly esteemed. Primary sources for natural rubies include countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
3. Pink Diamond
Average Price Range: $1.1-1.19 million per carat
Pink diamonds, a particularly rare and esteemed category of diamonds, display a spectrum of shades, ranging from subtle orange-pink to deeper purplish-pink. The depth and vibrancy of the color are critical factors in determining their market value, with the more intense and vivid hues typically fetching higher prices. Their scarcity significantly contributes to their premium valuation, as pink diamonds are much rarer than colored diamonds.
2. Jadeite
Average Price Range: $2.5-$3 million per carat
Jadeite is renowned for its diverse color palette, with the most prestigious and desired shade being Imperial green. This deep, rich green hue owes its existence to specific trace elements within the gemstone’s structure, contributing to its prized translucency. Jadeite is exceptionally rare, and only a limited number of deposits are known globally. The vast majority of the world’s jadeite comes from Burma, accounting for over 95% of its supply. The market for Burmese jadeite is notably complex and dynamic, with prices varying widely based on the gemstone’s quality and specific characteristics.
1. Blue Diamond
Average Price Range: $3.5-$3.93 million per carat
Blue diamonds are remarkable within the fancy-color diamond category due to their intense and striking color, setting them apart from the typical colorless or slightly yellow or brown shades found in most diamonds. Among fancy diamonds, blue diamonds rank among the rarest and most valuable, along with red and green diamonds. They undergo a meticulous and complex grading process conducted by expert gemstone graders.
Unlock a world of informed financial decisions and cutting-edge investment insights. Subscribe to the Insider Monkey newsletter today and gain exclusive access to expert analysis and market trends. You can also read 30 Countries with the Highest Gas Prices and 15 States With the Most Expensive Gas in the US.
