Top 10 Gemstones in the World - The Blue Diamond Claims the Top Spot
Gemstones are extraordinary natural wonders, coveted for their beauty and rarity. While they are primarily used in fine jewelry, many are also believed to possess healing properties.
Here’s a list of the world's 10 most expensive gemstones:
1. Blue Diamond - $3.93 million per carat
2. Jadeite - $3 million per carat
3. Pink Diamond - $1.19 million per carat
4. Ruby - $1.18 million per carat
5. Emerald - $305,000 per carat
6. Alexandrite - $70,000 per carat
7. Musgravite - $35,000 per carat
8. Red Beryl - $10,000 per carat
9. Black Opal - $9,500 per carat
10. Tanzanite - $1,200 per carat
The Blue Diamond
Let’s explore the captivating world of the blue diamond, one of the rarest and most sought-after gemstones on the planet. Collectors worldwide eagerly await opportunities to acquire these precious stones, often paying millions for even a single carat.
Photo credit: Blu Diamonds via Istituto Gemmologico Nazionale Italiano
In January 2014, one of the largest blue diamonds ever discovered was unearthed in South Africa. Weighing nearly 30 carats, this stunning gemstone was valued at approximately $20 million.
According to Flavio Butini, a renowned gemologist from the Italian National Institute of Gemmology, the blue diamond was discovered at the Premier Mine in Cullinan, South Africa, located about 40 kilometers from Pretoria. This mine is famous for producing some of the most significant diamonds in history, including the largest rough diamond ever found.
In 1905, a massive 3,106-carat diamond was extracted from the same mine. After extensive study and cutting, this diamond was divided into nine major pieces, all of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels. The largest of these, known as Cullinan I or the Star of Africa, is set in the royal scepter and remains the largest cut diamond in existence, weighing over 530 carats.
The 2014 discovery was notable not only for its size but also for its extraordinarily rare color. Blue diamonds account for just 0.3% to 0.5% of all natural diamonds, making them incredibly scarce. Only red and pink diamonds are rarer, with fewer than 20 known examples of natural, certified red diamonds worldwide.
Most blue diamonds originate from the historic Golconda mines in India or the Premier Mine in South Africa. The unique blue hue of these gems comes from traces of boron within the diamond. However, synthetic diamonds with artificially induced blue colors also exist, though they lack the prestige of natural blue diamonds.
Fascinating Facts About Blue Diamonds
The blue diamond discovered in 2014 even eclipsed the famed Heart of Eternity, another iconic blue diamond from South Africa, weighing approximately 28 carats. The Heart of Eternity gained global recognition when its design inspired the Heart of the Ocean diamond worn by the character Rose in the movie Titanic.
Another world-famous blue diamond is the Blue Hope Diamond, a 45-carat gemstone with a deep blue hue and an imperfect cushion cut. Originating from India, this diamond is most famous for the legend of a curse said to haunt its owners, starting with French traveler Jean Baptiste Tavernier, its first known owner.
The story goes that Tavernier stole the diamond, then weighing 112 carats, from the eye of an Indian idol, bringing upon himself a curse from the deity. After acquiring the stone, Tavernier went bankrupt and died while traveling. However, it’s worth noting that he lived to the age of 84, quite an impressive lifespan for his time.
The next notable owner of the Blue Hope Diamond was King Louis XIV of France, who had it cut into a heart shape, reducing its weight to 67.5 carats. Both King Louis XIV and his son, Louis XV, died painful deaths—one from gangrene and the other from smallpox—though both ruled powerful kingdoms and lived into their 60s.
The diamond eventually passed to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who famously met their tragic ends during the French Revolution. Afterward, the stone changed hands several times, bringing misfortune to many of its possessors. Eventually, in 1830, it was sold to a London banker, who named it the Hope Diamond. Today, it resides at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where it remains one of the most famous gemstones in the world.
Other Legendary Blue Diamonds
Blue Magic – A 12-carat, pear-cut diamond celebrated for its vibrant blue color.
Premier Blue – A rare, round-cut blue diamond sold in Hong Kong in 2013.
Blue Heart – A 32-carat, heart-shaped diamond with exceptional color and clarity.
Tereschenko – A remarkable 43-carat blue diamond, named after its Russian owners.
These rare gems captivate collectors and gem enthusiasts alike, solidifying their place in history as some of the most valuable and mysterious stones in the world.
