When it comes to gems and gemstones, rarity is a major factor in determining their value. Some of the rarest gems on Earth are considered the most valuable. From red diamonds to painite, these gems are truly one-of-a-kind.
Red Diamond
One of the rarest gems on Earth is the red diamond. These diamonds are incredibly rare, with only a handful known to exist. They are also incredibly valuable, with some red diamonds selling for millions of dollars. The red colour is caused by a specific type of impurities in the crystal lattice.
Painite
Another incredibly rare gemstone is painite. This mineral was first discovered in 1951 and for decades, only two specimens were known to exist. Today, there are still only a few hundred painite specimens known to exist. Its striking orange-red colour makes it a highly sought-after gemstone for collectors.
Musgravite
Musgravite is another very rare gemstone, it was first discovered in 1967 in Musgrave Ranges, Australia. It is a variety of Taaffeite, which is itself incredibly rare, with fewer than 50 specimens known to exist. Musgravite is also highly valuable due to its rarity, and it's one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite is another very rare gemstone, it's a variety of chrysoberyl, it's known for its colour change ability, it appears green in natural light and red in artificial light. It's found in Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.
Poudretteite
Lastly, Poudretteite is an extremely rare mineral, and it was first discovered in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, in 1960. It's a pink to lavender mineral, it's found in tiny crystals, and it's so rare that it's only been found in a few locations around the world.
These gems are some of the rarest on Earth and their rarity is what makes them so valuable. From red diamonds to painite, these gems are truly one-of-a-kind. If you're interested in collecting rare gemstones, be prepared to pay a premium for the privilege.