Knowing how valuable and expensive diamonds are, it is easier for anyone to ask the important question, what is more expensive than a diamond?
Let us take a quick examination into several valuable items and know how much they could cost too.
What is more expensive than a diamond?
For the sake of easy reading and price identification, I progressively began my collation from the least expensive stones to the highest choices. The most expensive diamond is often averagely valued at $15,000 per carat. Hence, the price serves as the benchmark for the other valuable stones.
| Gemstone | Price (per carat) |
|---|---|
| Black Opal | $15,000 |
| Serendibite | $18,000 |
| Grandidierite | $20,000 |
| Taaffeite | $35,000 |
| Emerald | $305,000 |
| Red diamond | $1,000,000 |
| Pink diamond | $1.19 million |
| Jadeite | $3 million |
| Blue diamond | $3.93 million |
What does the price of gemstones depend on?
In addition to their astonishing beauty and symbolism, gemstones have a great market value. They appear to be pieces of an uncommon rock that is cut and polished, but you know what, they could be worth millions of dollars and even more. I saw a video of an interview with the founder of The Natural Gem, Thomas Schrock where he highlighted several factors that influence the price of these gemstones (I agree with all of these factors). They include:
- The rarity of the gemstone.
- The level of its beauty.
- The reputation of the stone holds.
- Nature of its sales (auctioned prices are more than in-store prices).
Hence, before you make your next purchase, you should ask the following questions about the precious item you are about to purchase:
- How rare is this gemstone?
- How beautiful does it appear?
- What reputation does this gemstone offer?
- Do I want to purchase this item from a physical store or as an auction in an event?
Black Opal – $15,000 per carat
The black opals are the commonest known opal. As the name implies, its general body tone varies from jet black to dark grey. Nevertheless, there could be spectral or rainbow rainbows in its opal. Black opals are not necessarily black or else, they will not have any value. They can glow at all times because of their iron oxide and carbon trace elements. Their prices can be as high as $15,000 per carat.
Serendibite – $18,000 per carat
Serendibite was first found in 1902 in Sri Lanka, formerly called Serendib. It is an encompassing precious stone that contains several minerals like spinel, diopside, calcite, phlogopite, tremolite, scapolite, tremolite, grandidierite, apatite, uvite, graphite, and forsterite. It is averagely available at $18,000 per carat.
Grandidierite – $20,000 per carat
Grandidierite is one of the rarest minerals around the world. Its major constituent is iron as this determines how blue it appears. As a matter of fact, there is another gemstone called blue ominelite. It is similar to Grandidierite and recent discovery. Grandidierite can be colorless, dark blue-green, or dark green.
Taaffeite – $35,000 per carat
Taaffeite was first discovered in Ireland, Dublin. Before the discovery of Taaffeite, many pieces of this gem were wrongly identified as a spinel. However, it is one of the rarest gemstones around. According to X-ray and chemical analysis, the major constituents are magnesium, beryllium, and aluminum. The structural features of taaffeite are similar to spinel and that is the reason for the misconception – except that, taaffeite can showcase two refraction properties, unlike spinel.
Emerald – $305,000 per carat
Emerald has to be one of the most famous gemstones all over the world. It comes in an adorable green color as it contains beryl, chromium, and vanadium. Its brittleness may not be encouraging and hence, it calls for an optimum maintenance process. The $305,000 was its price at Christie’s auction, making it the most expensive ever sold emerald per carat.
Red diamond – $1,000,000
Surprised to see a diamond on the list? There is no need to be as this is often categorized as a different type of diamond. The mineral properties are similar to colorless diamonds, but the difference is in their red color. They are rarer than blue diamonds and hence, they are the most expensive types of diamond in the world.
Red diamonds can be confused with pink diamonds due to their color. However, the argument for many is that both colors are dependent on the intense pressure the diamond undergoes while it is formed.
Pink diamond – $1.19 million per carat
The pink diamond is as rare as the red diamond and this is a major reason for its price. It is regarded as a gemstone that brings harmony and beauty to the world. Except for the Pink Star which is flawless, pink diamonds can vary in their flaws.
At Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, an adorable pink diamond was sold for $1.19 million per carat. If you can afford one, I would recommend you opt for the Pink Star. Everything about it is full of grace.
Jadeite – $3 million per carat
Jadeite is the rarest, purest, and most obvious gemstone in its family, Jade. It is not one of the strongest gemstones in the world as its hardness varies with the composition. Its major component is the pyroxene mineral. It is a dense mineral with a 3.4 gravitational weight.
Fun fact: Eight potential buyers made their respective bids for Hutton-Midivani Necklace which had 27 jadeite beads. Cartier, the original maker of the item valued the item for $27.44 million and had it in his possession.
Blue diamond – $3.93 million per carat
The blue diamond is often regarded as special because of its inherent properties and fancy color. Blue diamonds could be flawless or exist in other forms. They contain a minimal level of Boron which is responsible for their blue color.
The Oppenheimer Blue, a blue diamond was sold at $57.5 million. This price makes it valued at $3.93 million per carat and the most valuable jewel that was sold.
