See full version: Five Gems Worth More than Diamonds
Discovered in Russia in the 1830s and named after the tsar, alexandrite is a fascinating gem that appears green in natural light and red in artificial light. It also changes colors when viewed from different angles, displaying different greens, oranges, or purple-reds. Today alexandrites have been found in other locations, but the stones from the original mines are considered the most beautiful and desirable, and can bring prices of around $10,000 per carat. [links]
Painite is a deep, orange-red or brownish red stone that was found in Mynamar in the 1950s. Shortly after its discovery, the government of Myanmar (then known as Burma) fell to a military coup resulting in a dictatorship lasted until 2011. For decades, problems in Myanmar prevented more than a handful of samples from being discovered, but today more than 1,000 crystals are known to exist. Prices of up to $60,000 per carat were quoted for painite at the Tucson Gem Showcase. [links]
Madagascar, which is known for its many rare animal species that are found nowhere else on earth, has contributed a unique gem to the world as well. Grandidierite is a rare gem that ranges from blue-green to green and can have a translucent or pearly appearance. Translucent samples that can be faceted are rare and highly sought after for their ability to change colors from nearly colorless to dark green when viewed from different angles. Based on recent sale prices this gem is valued at $20,000 per carat. [links]
Also known as red beryl or red emerald, bixbiteis one of the rarest gemstones in the world. The only type of bixbite that can be cut into faceted crystals comes from the Violet Claim in Utah’s WahWahmountains, where it was discovered in 1958. At the 2014 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase last week, bixbite was selling for upwards of $10,000 per carat. here
Diamonds are one of the most valuable precious stones around, but not because diamonds are especially rare. In fact, high-quality emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are all rarer in nature than diamonds. However, nearly colorless diamonds can top prices of $10,000 per carat because demand for them has been carefully cultivated and supply is tightly controlled. De Beers, the world’s biggest diamond company, controls the sales of nearly 90 percent of all diamonds mined each year. They reportedly spend nearly $200 million on advertising and make a point of always producing slightly fewer stones than are desired to ensure a strong market for their product.
However, there are a few interesting gemstones that are so rare, so lovely, and so desired that they are worth more than diamonds per carat. more
Few diamonds can compete with the Spirit of de Grisogno Diamond in terms of size. Before being cut, this humongous black diamond was the largest in the world. Even now, this stunning diamond is the largest cut black diamond in the world. It weighs an incredible 312.24 carats. When it was mined, it was larger still at 587 carats. Currently, the Spirit of de Grisogono Diamond is set on a beautiful white gold ring. For company it has 702 smaller white diamonds that weigh around 36.69 carats. This one is unarguably one of the most expensive colored diamonds in the world.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is several centuries old. One of the oldest most expensive colored diamonds on this list, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond was discovered in India in the mid-17th century. At the time, the diamond weighed 35 carats. This Fancy Deep Blue Diamond has been part of the Austrian and Bavarian crown jewels, but is now much smaller than when it started out – weighing about 4 carats less. English jeweler Lawrence Graff carried out extensive refashioning after he found the gem to be chipped around the edges. He promised to bring it back as a far more beautiful stone. more
The Moussaieff Red Diamond has many distinctions to its name. Not only is it No. 11 among the most expensive colored diamonds, but it is also the largest Fancy Red Diamond in the world. Weighing in at 5.11 carats, this stunning red stone bears a triangular brilliant cut. First discovered in Brazil during the 1990?s, this precious stone was once referred to as the Red Shield Diamond. The rarity and rich color of this high quality diamond made it a perfect fit for the prestigious “Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit at the Smithsonian in the year 2003.
Two of the most famous Red diamonds are;
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There are a number of discrepancies whether Pink or Blue Diamonds are considered the second rarest, but there definitely appear to be more Pink Diamonds available in the market. [links]
While white diamonds are available, the high ranking 4Cs white diamonds are very rare. This is also the purest form of a diamond. White diamonds are an apt choice for those who don’t like fancy colour diamonds. here
Graff Vivid Yellow diamond was the most expensive yellow diamond sold at Sotheyby’s for $16.3 million in 2014. (Source)
The white diamond is the purest form of the diamond.
Not all coloured diamonds are the same, and not all are expensive. The value of a coloured diamond depends on how pure the color is and how clear the color shows through. Further, depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond’s colouration, a diamond’s colour can either reduce or enhance its value. For example, most white diamonds are discounted in price when a more yellow hue is detectable. But intense pink diamonds or blue diamonds (such as the Hope Diamond) can be dramatically more valuable.
The most known red diamond is the Moussaieff Red – a 5.11ct Pure red diamond. (Source) here