What is the Most Expensive Gemstone?

Have you ever wondered what is the most expensive gemstone? Fine jewellery holds immense beauty and rarity. Its investment potential is top-grade. This is why knowing the worth of precious stones is essential. You may immediately think of diamonds when considering high-value gems. But, the market is far more nuanced.

Rare coloured stones command prices that exceed those of even the finest clear minerals. SkyGem & Co.helps you explore the pinnacle of the gemstone market. We enable you to identify which treasures hold the highest value.

The Most Expensive Gemstone Ever Sold

If we're talking about single stones rather than price per carat, the Pink Star Diamond holds the record. This extraordinary 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong in 2017 for an astonishing $71.2 million USD. To put that in perspective, that's roughly $108 million AUD — for a single gemstone slightly larger than a grape. The Pink Star is celebrated not just for its size, but for its flawless clarity (Internally Flawless) and its intensely saturated pink colour — a combination that is virtually unheard of in nature. Before the Pink Star, the record was held by the Graff Pink, a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that sold for $46 million in 2010. These record-breaking sales demonstrate that when it comes to the world's most valuable gemstones, rarity and perfection create value that transcends traditional investment classes.

Worth and Rarity of Gemstones

The price of a gemstone is dictated by the ‘Four Cs.’ But, for the most expensive stones, ‘rarity’ is the ultimate multiplier.

Geological fluke plays a massive role. Some stones are found in only one or two locations on Earth. Whether you are looking for a 1st wedding anniversary gift or a legacy investment piece, the intersection of demand and supply determines the final market price. Moreover, some factors can turn a beautiful stone into a multi-million-dollar asset, such as:

• Chemical purity

• Presence of scarce trace elements

What is the Most Expensive Gemstone?

In terms of price per carat, the blue diamond currently holds the title of the most expensive gemstone in the world. The mesmerising colour of such stones is due to the presence of boron during their formation deep within the Earth’s mantle.

 Lab cultured diamonds offer a sustainable and identical chemical structure. Still, natural blue-coloured diamonds are exceptionally scarce. High-quality specimens fetch upwards of USD 3.9 million per carat at international auctions. Their worth remains unbeatable due to the exhaustion of known mines. This makes blue diamonds the ultimate symbol of wealth and prestige.

What is the Most Expensive Gemstone Ever Found?

Regarding the most expensive single gemstone ever found and sold, the ‘Pink Star’ diamond leads the record books.

This 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was sold for a staggering USD 71.2 million. Many consumers opt for dia studs or classic solitaires for daily wear. But, stones of this magnitude are treated as fine art.

The Pink Star is celebrated for its Internal Flawless clarity and its immense size. It is a combination that is nearly unheard of in the natural world. It symbolises the absolute ceiling of what a gemstone’s value can achieve.

What is the Most Expensive Gemstone Other Than Diamond?

Ruby is the king of the coloured stones. If you observe beyond the diamond family, the contenders are:

• Musgravite

• Blue Garnet

The ‘Pigeon Blood’ Ruby is the most expensive non-diamond gemstone. These rubies possess a deep, vivid red with a hint of blue. It is primarily sourced from Myanmar.

A high-quality ruby can easily outperform fabricated diamonds in price per carat. If you are seeking alternative luxury, choose high-grade:

• Emeralds

• Sapphires

Though, these stones rarely reach the record-breaking heights of the finest rubies.

The Bottom Line

Learn what is the most expensive gemstone to make an informed decision, whether you are seeking a stunning piece for a special occasion or the pinnacle of rarity.

From the record-breaking allurement of  lab grown coloured diamonds to the ageless elegance of rubies, the most expensive gemstones shall keep attracting the human imagination. They will remain the most concentrated form of wealth on the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive gemstone per carat?

The blue diamond is the most expensive gemstone per carat, with high-quality specimens fetching over $3.9 million per carat at auction. Red diamonds are even rarer but fewer sales data points exist.

What is the most expensive gemstone ever sold?

The Pink Star Diamond holds the record, selling for $71.2 million USD in 2017. This 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond is the most valuable single gemstone ever sold at auction.

Are rubies more expensive than diamonds?

Top-quality pigeon blood rubies can exceed the price of most white diamonds per carat. However, they don't reach the extreme prices of rare blue or red diamonds. A fine ruby might cost $100,000-$1 million per carat, while a blue diamond can exceed $3 million per carat.

Where can I buy investment-grade gemstones in Australia?

SkyGem Melbourne specialises in sourcing exceptional gemstones for collectors and investors. We provide GIA certification, provenance documentation, and expert guidance on building a gemstone collection.