Gemstones have long captured human fascination with their beauty, rarity and symbolism. While many gems are prized for their colour and brilliance, some rise far above the rest in terms of value.

These rare stones are sought after by collectors, investors and jewellery lovers across the globe. But what exactly makes certain gemstones so expensive? It often comes down to a combination of rarity, quality, history and market demand.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 most expensive gemstones in the world and explain what makes each one worth such a high price. 

1. Pink Star Diamond

The Pink Star Diamond holds the record as one of the most expensive gemstones ever sold at auction. Weighing 59.60 carats, this flawless pink diamond sold for over 70 million USD in 2017. Its vivid pink colour, large size and exceptional clarity make it incredibly rare. Pink diamonds are already among the rarest types of diamonds in the world, and stones of this size and quality are almost never found.

2. Jadeite

Jadeite is the rarest and most valuable type of jade, highly prized in Chinese culture. Top-quality jadeite is translucent with a vibrant green hue. In 2014, a jadeite necklace known as the Hutton-Mdivani necklace sold for over 27 million USD. Its value lies in the purity of its colour and the cultural significance jadeite holds, especially in Asia where it symbolises purity, longevity and wealth.

3. Blue Diamond

Blue diamonds are among the most valuable and famous gems in the world. Their colour comes from the presence of boron within the crystal structure. The Hope Diamond, one of the most well-known blue diamonds, weighs 45.52 carats and is valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Blue diamonds are extremely rare and often found in only a few places, including the Cullinan mine in South Africa.

4. Pink Argyle Diamonds

Pink argyle diamonds are renowned for their stunning shades of pink and are found only in one place the Argyle mine in Western Australia. This mine closed in 2020, making these gems even more valuable due to their increasing rarity. Pink argyle diamonds are especially sought after by collectors and investors who understand their potential to grow in value. Their unique hue and limited supply make them a top-tier luxury gemstone.

5. Red Beryl

Red beryl, also known as bixbite, is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth. It is found only in a few locations in the United States, primarily in Utah. Most red beryl crystals are very small, and those large enough to be cut into faceted gems are extremely rare. With a vibrant raspberry-red colour and high rarity, fine-quality red beryl can fetch over 10,000 USD per carat.

6. Alexandrite

Alexandrite is famous for its unique colour-changing ability. In daylight, it appears greenish-blue, while under incandescent light, it shifts to a reddish-purple. This dramatic transformation makes it highly valuable. Originally discovered in Russia in the 1830s, high-quality alexandrite is rare and mostly found in Sri Lanka, Brazil and East Africa today. Prices can range from 15,000 to over 70,000 USD per carat depending on size and quality.

7. Musgravite

Musgravite is one of the most elusive gemstones in the world. Discovered in South Australia in the 1960s, it is part of the taaffeite mineral family and extremely difficult to find in gem-quality form. With a grey-green to purplish-grey colour and extreme rarity, musgravite can sell for up to 35,000 USD per carat. Very few stones are available on the market, making it a true collector’s gem.

8. Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba tourmaline is known for its electric blue to green colours caused by traces of copper. First discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, these vibrant gems quickly gained fame for their unusual and vivid hues. Today, they are also found in Mozambique and Nigeria, though Brazilian stones still fetch the highest prices. Fine-quality paraiba tourmalines can cost over 10,000 USD per carat due to their colour, brilliance and rarity.

9. Ruby

Rubies have always been symbols of wealth and power. The most valuable rubies come from Myanmar and are called pigeon blood rubies due to their deep red colour with a hint of blue. In 2015, a 25.59-carat ruby known as the Sunrise Ruby sold for over 30 million USD. High-quality rubies are extremely rare, especially in larger sizes, and their intense colour makes them highly desirable.

10. Emerald

Emeralds are prized for their rich green colour and association with royalty. The best emeralds come from Colombia and have a deep, slightly bluish green colour with few visible inclusions. Despite often having natural inclusions, top emeralds are highly valued. A 18.04-carat Colombian emerald once sold for over 5.5 million USD at auction. Their timeless beauty and strong demand help keep emeralds among the most expensive gemstones in the world.

Luxury gemstones are more than just beautiful they are rare, meaningful and often carry cultural or historical value. From the electric glow of paraiba tourmalines to the intense fire of pink argyle diamonds, each gem tells a story that goes far beyond its price tag.

When it comes to value, factors like colour, clarity, cut, origin and rarity all play a role. For collectors and investors alike, these top 10 gemstones offer both visual beauty and long-term worth. Whether you’re admiring them in a museum or considering a personal investment, these gems are some of the most remarkable treasures ever created by nature.