Fascinating Facts About the World's Rarest Gemstones
Gemstones, the precious gifts from mother Earth, possess mystic beauty and unique attributes. Some are common while others are incredibly rare, worth more than you could ever imagine. This article aims to delve into the fascinating world of the rarest gemstones on planet Earth.
1. Pink Star Diamond
Pink Star Diamond, the rarest diamond in the world, is a product of sheer beauty and astounding value. Discovered in Africa in 1999, it weighs 59.6 carats and fetched an outrageous 71.2 million dollars as its selling price in 2017. It holds the record price for any gemstone sold at an auction, thus establishing its supreme state in the realm of gemstones.
2. Jadeite
Jadeite is the purest, rarest, and most vivid gemstone in the Jade family. Its value is determined by the intensity of its green color, its translucence and the texture. The highest quality "Imperial" Jadeite can fetch millions of dollars for just a tiny piece, underlining its status as one of the world's most precious gemstones.
3. Blue Garnet
The Blue Garnet is one of the most exotic gemstones in existence. It’s mostly found in Madagascar but also in the US, Russia, and Turkey. The most exciting fact is its ability to change color from blue-green in daylight to purplish-red in incandescent light, due to high concentrations of vanadium. Given its rare nature, this gemstone is highly coveted and considerably high in price.
4. Painite
Once known as the rarest mineral in the world, the Painite is a borate mineral that was first discovered in the 1950s in Myanmar. Initially, there were only two known specimens in existence, causing its scarcity to be legendary in gemological history. Though the recent find has increased the availability, its rarity, and the unusual brownish or reddish color makes it highly sought after.
5. Grandidierite
All the way from Madagascar, Grandidierite is a blue-green mineral which was first discovered in 1902. It was named in honor of French explorer Alfred Grandidier who was an ardent devotee of the Malagasy history and geography. Grandidierite is extremely rare and is therefore highly valued in the gemstone marketplace.
6. Musgravite
Musgravite is a gemstone discovered in 1967 in the Musgrave Range of South Australia. It is considered the rarest gemstone in the world, surpassing diamonds and all other precious stones. For a long time, there were only eight known specimens, making it the epitome of rarity.
To conclude, the rarity of these gemstones make them significantly valuable and highly sought after. Their mesmerizing beauty, unique properties, and fascinating origin stories add to their intrigue, making them treasures to behold in the world of gemology.
References:
- Gemology Institute of America (GIA)
- National Geographic
- Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collection
