There are gemstones and crystals all across the planet. These are magnificent gifts from the depths of Mother Earth. They are bright and delightful, still and dazzling, and gently shimmering. Every crystal, mineral, rock, and gem has its own unique, priceless energy. However, there are certain stones that are the rarest gemstone in the world or more valuable than others because they are hard to find.

Rocks, minerals, and organic components come together to form gemstones. With more than 300 gemstones presently in the public domain, some are undoubtedly much rarer and more costly than the well-known diamond. Crystals that we will probably never see in person contain some of the most costly and rarest gemstones on earth. 

These rarest gemstones in the world are categorized as minerals according to their chemical makeup, optical properties, refraction, and crystal structure. A mineral or gemstone's worth and related rarity can be judged by the degree of severity and type of flaws in it. So here is the rarest gemstone list, which are all unique in their own way.

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Top 10 Rarest Gemstones on Earth

These most rarest gemstones in the world take that significance to another level thanks to their stunning appearance, distinctiveness, and scarcity. Their rarity increases their allure and makes them valuable stones for fine jewelry. We have compiled this useful 10 rarest gemstone list, along with information on their provenance and distinctive qualities.

1. Tanzanite

Tanzanite tops the most rarest gemstone list since this relatively new stone has only been found in Northern Tanzania. Tanzanite is a blue gem-quality form of zoisite and one of the official birthstones for December. The tanzanite resource may be consumed within the next 20 to 30 years, making this rarest blue gemstone substantially more rare than diamond.

Tanzanite is 6-7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it suitable for regular wear. The most valued color is pure blue, which is nearly identical to blue sapphires. Most tanzanite's color intensity is due to heat treatment. This high-quality rarest blue gemstone costs an average of $1,200 per carat.

2. Black Opal

Another one of the rarest gemstones in the world is black opal. The majority of the world's supply of black opal is extracted from Lightning Ridge in Australia's New South Wales. The key feature that distinguishes this rarest black gemstone from regular opal is its body tone. 

Though black opals are available in a variety of colors, their whole composition lies on the darker side of the spectrum. There are treatments and genuine black opals available on the market that are hard to distinguish from one another without laboratory assistance. This fine-quality rarest black gemstone has an average price per carat of more than $3,500.

3. Taaffeite 

The majority of people are largely unaware of Taaffeite, one of the rarest gemstones ever, because of its scarcity. Richard Taaffe, an Australian gemologist, found the pale violet gemstone in 1945. Taaffeite was believed to be spinel until he discovered it. This rarest gemstone on earth has a different light-refracting quality than spinel. 

The only places where taaffeite is discovered are Tanzania and Sri Lanka. It is considerably harder to acquire material because most of it is not suited for faceting. When it comes to durability, Taaffeite gemstones rank 8–8.5 on the Mohs Scale, which is higher than amethyst. The cost of this most rarest gemstone per carat is $2,500 on average.

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4. Red beryl 

Red beryl is a very unusual type of beryl that has only been discovered in Utah and New Mexico. Maynard Bixby found it in 1904. This rarest red gemstone, often known as the red emerald, is extremely difficult to discover due to the peculiar conditions required for its formation. 

Red beryl, like emeralds, frequently contains inclusions, but these do not always affect the gemstone's overall value. Large red beryl specimens are so rare that they are frequently sold uncut to collectors. The majority of cut red beryl stones have a weight of less than one carat. This high-quality rarest red gemstone costs around $10,000 per carat.

5. Painite

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Painite surpassed diamonds in rarity as the most rarest gemstone in the world in 2005. It can appear green under specific lighting conditions, although its color can range from pink to reddish-brown to even brown. Painite was first identified in 1950 and was named for the gemologist who made the discovery, Arthur Charles Davy Pain. 

This rarest precious gemstone is found in Magok, Myanmar. There are currently less than 25 gemstones. However, there are thousands of broken bits of the stone. Due to its deep red to brownish-red color and scarcity, pavénite is extremely costly; premium stones can fetch up to $60,000 per carat.

6. Alexandrite

June's official birthstone has enchanting color-changing abilities. Alexandrite is one of the rarest gemstones on earth that changes color; it is green in natural light and red in fluorescent light. This rarest green gemstone was found in the Russian Ural Mountains around 1830. Alexander II, the czar, was later honored with a stone bearing his name. 

Fine alexandrite specimens are still extremely rare and expensive, despite the fact that smaller forms of the mineral have been mined in Brazil, Asia, and Sri Lanka. These rarest precious gemstones, which are actually synthetic corundum, are frequently blue and purple as opposed to green and red. One carat can cost as much as $12,000 on average.

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7. Jadeite 

This is the costliest and most exquisite kind of jade, ranking among the rarest gemstones in the world. It is substantially more valuable than other varieties of jade since this transparent gem with a rich green color is considerably rarer. If the cost of jadeite is too much for you, you could want to look at nephrite, which is a less expensive alternative, or aventurine, which is a jade impostor. 

The transparency and color depth determine the jadeite's worth. Even over $1 million per carat has been paid for certain extremely exquisite items. The majority of jadeite available for purchase will cost much less. For superior and rarest green gemstones, the average cost per carat is $20,000. 

8. Padparadscha Sapphire

Padparadscaha sapphires, which are pronounced pad-pah-raj-ah, are the rarest precious gemstones and are primarily found in Sri Lanka, along with some areas of Madagascar and Tanzania. One of the most sought-after stones among collectors is this one because of its distinctive pink and orange color combination. 

Customers may have to make compromises by selecting a stone that is smaller in size or has less clarity and a duller hue because Padparadscha sapphires are the most rarest gemstone ever. These sapphires weigh more than two carats, so expect to pay a premium for them. High-quality stones typically cost $8,000 per carat.

9. Musgravite 

Apparently, the rarest gemstone in the world, Musgravite, was discovered in 1967. It was initially spotted in Australia's Musgrave Ranges and subsequently found in Madagascar and Greenland. The first large specimen of gem quality was found in 1993. There are perhaps 10 known and verified specimens of gem-quality stones.

Sadly, given how uncommon this stone is, it is unlikely that a buyer would find it on the open market. Because of the crossover between musgravite and the comparatively rare Taaffeite gemstone, if you do come across probable musgravite, send it to a gemology lab for examination. A carat is typically valued at around $35,000, according to specimens that have already been sold. 

10. Demantoid Garnet

The amazing green andradite garnet variation known as demantoid was found in Russia in the middle of the 1800s. Demontoid garnet is one of the rarest gemstones on earth, a warm-toned garnet, despite other varieties being more frequent and less expensive. Finding a demantoid garnet larger than two carats will be difficult because most crystals are smaller. 

In terms of hardness, demantoid garnet falls between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale. As huge proportions of this species of garnet are uncommon, your best bet is to look for a stone weighing between 0.5 and 0.75 carats. This superior rarest green gemstone costs $3,300 on average per carat.

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FAQs

Q.1 What are the rarest gemstones?

Ans. The rarest gemstones are those that are exceptionally scarce and difficult to find in nature. These gemstones are typically sought after for their uniqueness, beauty, and value. Some examples of the rarest gemstones on earth include alexandrite, musgravite, red beryl, jadeite, and blue garnet.

Q.2 What stone is rarer than a diamond?

Ans. Surprisingly, tanzanite is 1000 times rarer than diamonds. These gemstones, which were only discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and were initially discovered in 1967, are valued at almost $1,500 per carat. Depending on the direction of the light, tanzanite can change color.

Q.3 What is rarer than painite?

Ans. The two rarest gemstones are Musgravite and Painite, according to several sources. With only a few dozen known examples in existence, Painite is regarded as the rarest gemstone and mineral on the planet. Additionally, there are reportedly very few specimens of Musgravite in existence as well, making it an incredibly rare gemstone.

Final Takeaway

The world of gemstones is truly fascinating, and the rarest gemstones on Earth hold a special allure for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The beauty, rarity, and mystique of these rarest gemstones in the world make them highly sought after and truly unique. Whether for their rarity, beauty, or symbolism, rare gemstones will always hold a special place in the hearts of collectors, enthusiasts, and admirers around the world.