Gemstones are natural wonders made from the earth. Formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, some have emerged through explosive volcanic activity, while others have crystallized slowly from hot fluids and gases that solidified deep beneath the surface. Each gemstone tells a story of geological transformation and time.
When asked, “What’s the rarest and most precious gemstone?” most people will quickly answer, “Diamond.” While diamonds are certainly valuable, stunning, and widely sought after, they’re far from the rarest gems on Earth. In reality, the answer is much more intriguing and fascinating.
If you’re in the market for the best gemstones to sell or are inquiring about auction gemstone prices, our team at Joshua Kodner Galleries is ready to assist you. Reach out to our jewelers today with any questions!
At auction, you’ll see many rare gemstones for sale, but the top 5 rarest gemstones to keep your eye out for include:
Tanzanite
With its vivid violet-blue hues, tanzanite is found exclusively in Northern Tanzania, within a small, eight-square-mile area near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Discovered in 1967, these striking violet-blue high value colored stones are believed to be 1,000 times rarer than diamonds. It’s also considered the second most valuable blue gemstone, surpassed only by sapphire.
Discovered in 1967, tanzanite quickly gained global popularity, thanks in large part to a marketing campaign by Tiffany & Co. What sets tanzanite apart is its remarkable pleochroism—the ability to display multiple colors depending on the viewing angle.
Expert gem cutters skillfully orient each stone to highlight its most desirable shades, typically vibrant blues and purples, though flashes of green-yellow, brown, or even red may appear.
Despite being a relatively recent discovery, experts believe the supply of tanzanite may be exhausted within the next 10 to 20 years, adding to its allure and long-term value as a rare and collectible gemstone.
Burmese Ruby
All rubies are rare, but those from Myanmar (formerly Burma) are so far ahead in a league of their own that they’ve set the global benchmark for color, quality, and scarcity in rubies. Among the most coveted gemstones in the world, Burmese rubies are prized for their exceptional hue and legendary origins.
The Mogok Valley, nestled in the mountains of Myanmar, is especially renowned for producing rubies with the intensely vivid and pure red color known as “pigeon’s blood red.” Burmese rubies have trace amounts of chromium, which allows for a richer, more vibrant red and a strong natural fluorescence that makes the stone appear as if it glows from within, even in daylight.
For over 800 years, the ruby mines of Mogok were worked by hand, with production strictly controlled and often interrupted. This limited access has made Burmese rubies increasingly scarce.
Today, with the original mines nearly depleted and demand continuing to rise, the value of these rare and historically revered gems has soared, making them some of the most treasured high-value colored stones in the world.
Jadeite
Jadeite, the rarest and most valuable form of jade, has long been revered across cultures for its symbolism of luck, health, and prosperity. There’s even a Chinese proverb that captures its esteemed status: “黃金有價，玉無價” meaning, “gold has value, jade is invaluable.”
Jadeite actually comes in a stunning range of colors, including lavender, yellow, orange-red, blue, black, white, gray, and even colorless varieties. Of all these, green imperial jade is still considered the most coveted and can command millions at auction.
Originating primarily from Myanmar, jadeite has also been treasured by ancient cultures such as the Mayans and remains highly sought after by gem collectors around the world, and is one of the best gemstones to sell.
What makes jadeite so unique is that its value isn’t solely based on color or clarity, but also on factors like translucency, texture, and even the artistry of the carving. Top-quality jadeite appears as if it’s filled with water or like a drop of richly colored oil—fluid, luminous, and full of life.
Pricing jadeite involves a level of subjectivity rarely seen with other gemstones. Beyond its natural characteristics, the craftsmanship and cultural significance of the piece often play a major role in determining its worth. This fusion of natural beauty and human artistry is part of what makes jadeite not only rare but truly invaluable.
Red Beryl
Red beryl, also known as bixbite, is the rarest member of the beryl family, which includes emerald and aquamarine. Its vibrant red color comes from trace amounts of manganese.
Today, gem-quality red beryl is found exclusively in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah, making it incredibly rare. To put its scarcity into perspective, the Utah Geological Survey estimates that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds.
Due to its extreme rarity, many large red beryl specimens are left uncut and sold as mineral specimens to collectors, while gem-quality red beryl fetch luxury prices to consumers as rare gemstones for sale.
Benitoite
Benitoite is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth, surpassing diamonds not only in scarcity but also in brilliance. Known for its exceptional gemstone dispersion, or “fire”, benitoite breaks white light into vibrant rainbow flashes more intensely than diamonds. Combined with its striking sapphire-blue hue, this gem stands out as a true collector’s treasure.
Exclusively found in the San Benito Mountains of California, benitoite was first discovered in 1906 and later declared the official state gem. The original deposit has long since been depleted, with only small amounts still occasionally recovered, making high-quality specimens incredibly rare and increasingly valuable.
With its stunning color, remarkable brilliance, and extremely limited availability, benitoite is a true all-American treasure with its unique optical properties as a doubly refractive stone. Buyers often choose between darker, sapphire-like stones with less visible fire or lighter-toned gems that display more brilliance and dispersion.
Joshua Kodner Galleries Has Experience in Rare Gemstones
At Joshua Kodner, we host very large gallery auctions with rare gemstones, providing many convenient ways to participate from anywhere. If you’re interested in purchasing or selling rare gemstones, contact our team at Joshua Kodner Galleries for help in appraisal, antique jewelry, and fine jewelry.
