{"id":11813,"date":"2022-03-08T22:13:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T22:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.borsheims.com\/blog\/?p=11813"},"modified":"2025-03-13T13:19:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T13:19:25","slug":"rare-gemstones-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.borsheims.com\/blog\/rare-gemstones-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Rare Gemstones"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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Most of us have a general idea of what a gemstone is: a piece of polished mineral crystal used to make jewelry. Rare gemstones take that significance to a new level because of their beauty, uniqueness and scarcity. Their uncommonness adds to their appeal, making them sought-after gems for fine jewelry. We\u2019ve put together this helpful list of 10 rare gemstones along with their their origins and their unique characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fancy Color Diamonds<\/h2>\n

When we think of diamonds, we tend to imagine a clear, colorless stone. And while we typically see diamonds in the \u201cnormal\u201d color range based on a D-to-Z color-grading scale (colorless through light yellow), fancy color diamonds<\/a> are in a class of their own. Fancy color diamonds are yellow and brown diamonds that feature color beyond the Z range, as well as diamonds that present as any other color, including pink, purple, red, green, and blue \u2013 like the famous Hope Diamond.<\/p>\n

The more vivid the colors in a fancy color diamond, the more valuable it will be. Large, vividly colored diamonds, like pink diamonds<\/a>, are extremely rare and thus extremely valuable.<\/p>\n

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Tanzanite<\/h2>\n

Rare gemstones are defined by their scarcity, and tanzanite<\/a> is no exception. First discovered in 1967, tanzanite is only found in Tanzania (its namesake). The color of a tanzanite crystal looks different depending on the angle at which it is viewed, which means the gem can appear more blue or more violet depending on its size and how it\u2019s cut. This December birthstone is rarer than a diamond and beloved for its rich, vivid color.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ruby<\/h2>\n

All rubies<\/a> are beautiful, but the Burma ruby, or Burmese ruby, is thought to be the most sought-after ruby in the world. Mined from the Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), exceptionally rare Burma rubies are known for their superior clarity and purple-red or dark-pink-red \u201cpigeon blood\u201d color. Due to political strife, Burma ruby trade has only been allowed in the United States since 2016. <\/span><\/p>\n

Elizabeth Taylor once possessed a very well-respected collection of Burmese ruby jewelry, which was auctioned by Christie\u2019s after the late actress\u2019s death.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alexandrite<\/h2>\n

Every rare gemstone has at least one special characteristic that sets it apart, and this is especially true for alexandrite<\/a>. This \u201cemerald by day, ruby by night\u201d gemstone is made from chrysoberyl, a very rare color-changing mineral. The complex way alexandrite absorbs light causes it to appear as a beautiful green during the day or under fluorescent light, while changing to a purple-red color in incandescent light or under the light of a flame.<\/p>\n

Alexandrite was originally discovered in Russia\u2019s Ural Mountains in the 1830s, but since then, it has been found around the world, from Sri Lanka to Brazil.<\/p>\n

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Paraiba Tourmaline<\/h2>\n

Paraiba tourmaline is named after the Brazilian state of Paraiba, where the rare gemstone was first discovered in 1989. This newer variety of tourmaline<\/a> stands out due to its vivid blues and greens, as well as its enchanting glow. In a relatively short period of time, Paraiba tourmalines have gained global attention and skyrocketed in popularity, making them one of the most in-demand rare gemstones in the world. Since its discovery, this variety of tourmaline has also been found in Mozambique.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sapphire<\/h2>\n

Sapphires<\/a> come in multiple varieties, but some of the rarest gemstones are the Kashmir, Burmese and Padparadscha sapphires.<\/span><\/p>\n