When it comes to the most valuable precious stones, it is often thought that diamonds would take the top of the list. However, for those of you that aren’t familiar with the top three more valuable precious stones, there are actually quite a few gemstones out there that are more valuable than a diamond.
One of the most common questions that we receive is what makes a gemstone valuable? The short answer to this question is the fewer imperfections a gem has, the more precious it is. However there are other factors that are considered when it comes to valuing a stone such as the cut and clarity and how rare the gemstone is to find within the market.
For those of you that are interested, here are the top three valuable precious stones and little bit of history about them.
Diamonds
Diamonds have a famous reputation for being the most popular gem for engagement rings, as well as being one of the most expensive gemstones in the world. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth’s crust and are transported to the surface through volcanic eruptions. They are made from 100% carbon, a single element, and are formed under intense pressure and heat.
Here is a clip from the National Geographic on the formation of Diamonds:
Diamonds have been mined in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and Canada. Less than 20% of all the diamonds that are mined are of gem quality and can be used in jewellery.
Grandidierite
Grandidierite’s are a gemstone that are relatively new within the jewellery market as they were first discovered in Madagascar in 1902. They come in shades of blue and green as there is a presence of iron within their composition. They are one of the rarest gemstones on the planet with mines in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.
Here is a closer look at the gem:
Although they were first discovered in 1902, the most valuable grandidierite’s were actually discovered in 2014. The gems that were discovered were significantly larger than ones found previously. They have entered the jewellery market at a very high value and are thought to be the only gems of these type for the foreseeable future.
Red Diamond
Red diamonds are by far the rarest gemstone in the world. Although diamonds can come in a number of different colours, none are as rare and exquisite as the red diamond. They are that rare that there are only 20-30 of these gems circulating the jewellery market today. The red diamond is highly admired as it can also change colour depending how much light is shining through the stone. It is believed that the red colour is derived from a deformation in the atomic structure as the diamond forms within the earth’s crust.
Here is a closer look at the red diamond:
Red diamonds are found in Africa, Australia and Brazil although there have been some found in India and Russia. The biggest red diamond to be discovered was the Moussaieff diamond, also known as the red shield. It was found in Brazil and weighted 5.11 carats. This incredible gemstone was sold at just over £6 million ($8 Million)!
What are your thoughts on the top three valuable precious stones? Let us know in the comments below!
