Rarer than Diamonds - What is the Rarest Stone in the World?

STONES RARER THAN DIAMONDS AROUND THE WORLD

Diamonds are rare in their own right, but they aren't the rarest stone out there. There are several that stones that are equally pretty and rarer than diamonds. Below are some of the Earth's rarest minerals, most of them restricted to a single continent or country. Some are so rare that even within their country, there is a single viable locality. So what is the rarest stone in the world?

TANZANITE - AFRICA

Tanzanite has only a single mining location: Tanzania. This African country lays claim to one of the Earth's rarest minerals and is the stone's namesake. While it is unimpressive when rough, an adequately cut tanzanite is breathtaking. Because of its pleochroism (shifts color based on the angle it is viewed), Tanzanite can be the awe-inspiring violet of amethyst, the gorgeous blue of sapphire, the deepest green of emerald, and the striking tawny brown of topaz. Many commercially available Tanzanite focuses on its blue or violet (usually due to color treatment). Its history begins in 1967 when a Maasai tribesman discovered it. It was branded Tanzanite and hit the markets in 1968. The new gemstone became a nationwide sensation.

PAINITE - ASIA

Painite crystals are only found in Myanmar. This ruby-red stone is located in a country renowned for its rubies, so it is only fitting that a rare red stone can only be found there too. Because of its exceptional rarity, little is known about the stone.

FINGERITE - CENTRAL AMERICA

Found exclusively on the Izalco Volcano in El Salvador, most people will have difficulty getting access to this mineral. It was named after Dr Larry Finger, an American mineralogist.

RED BERYL – NORTH AMERICA

Red Beryl is extremely rare, occurring only in Utah and New Mexico. Even then, it only occurs in limited quantities. This stone can only be found in a single commercial mine: the Ruby Violet mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah. An estimated ten percent of all red beryl can be cut and faceted. Beryl can come in a variety of colors, but red is exceptionally rare.

ICHNUSAITE – EUROPE

This extremely rare and radioactive (due to thorium) mineral is not really a gemstone, but it is a fascinating mineral. There seems only to be a single known specimen, and it was found in Sardinia, Italy. It also has an equally rare brother, Nuragheite, also found only in Sardinia, Italy. Because Ichnusaite has only one known specimen, it (and all other single specimen stones) may make it the rarest stone in the world.

THE WRAP UP

While diamonds are rare --especially good or colored specimens-- they are a bit more common than some of the other stones on this list. It shouldn't take away from the love any, as we still think diamonds are absolutely amazing. But if you were as curious as us, then this list should help!

Crystals and gemstones are nature's true beauties, but they are not a substitute for seeking professional medical, legal, health, or financial advice. Crystals and gemstones are to be used in conjunction with any professional care you are receiving and do not provide healing, cures, or other remedies modern medicine can provide. The information provided in our listings with regard to the powers of crystals and gemstones are all derived from personal & professional experience with crystals & gems as well as ancient wisdom and texts documenting knowledge gained from civilizations around the world. They are not backed by the FDA or scientific/government resources. Our crystals & gemstones are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or malady. Our crystals and gemstones are also not a replacement for seeking professional legal advice, financial advising, or any other field of professional expertise. Crystals and gemstones are intended to be appreciated for their natural power and beauty, and used alongside modern, professional methods.

Sources

"Gemstones Rarer Than Diamonds." The Yale Tribune, campuspress.yale.edu/tribune/gemstones-rarer-than-diamonds.

"Ichnusaite." Mindat, www.mindat.org/min-45998.html.

"Nuragheite." Mindat, www.mindat.org/min-46000.html.

"Red Beryl." Mindat, www.mindat.org/min-690.html.

"What Is Tanzanite Gemstone | Tanzanite Stone – GIA." GIA, www.gia.edu/tanzanite.

Amos, By Jonathan. "Earth's Rarest Minerals Catalogued." BBC News, 13 Feb. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35569659.

Anthony, Et Al. Handbook of Mineralogy. Volume IV, Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates, 2000, 680 Pages with Illustrations. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, Arizona, 2021.

Becker, Vivienne, and Phillips, Clare. Bejewelled by Tiffany, 1837-1987. United Kingdom, Yale University Press, 2006.

Lucas, Andrew, and Vincent Pardieu. “Mogok Expedition Series, Part 1: The Valley of Rubies.” GIA, 20 Apr. 2014, www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-expedition-to-the-valley-of-rubies-part-1.

Orlandi, P., et al. "Ichnusaite, Th(MoO4)2{middle Dot}3H2O, the First Natural Thorium Molybdate: Occurrence, Description, and Crystal Structure." American Mineralogist, vol. 99, no. 10, 2014, pp. 2089–94.

Shigley, James E., and Eugene E. Foord. "Gem-Quality Red Beryl from the Wah Wah Mountains, Utah." Gems & Gemology, vol. 20, no. 4, 1984, pp. 208–21. Crossref, doi:10.5741/gems.20.4.208.

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