Why do small multi-colored pebbles have such power over people's minds? What is it about them that such excitement arises around these amazing creatures of inanimate nature? They fascinate with their beauty and inaccessibility, because there are those of which most mortals can only dream of. Many legends and mysterious events are associated with them.
Many people are willing to risk their freedom and even life to take possession of some of them. We have compiled a ranking of the top 10 most expensive gems in the world with prices and photos.
10. Emerald and sapphire
Emerald specialists estimate from 8 thousand dollars per carat. Quality sapphire almost always costs more than the best emerald of the best kind. However, a very rare orange gem is found in nature, which is an exception, and it is without a doubt one of the most valuable gems in the world.
As for emeralds, despite their relatively high prevalence in nature, pure specimens are extremely rare. Therefore, they are evaluated very cheaply.
9. Bixbit
This is a really beautiful gem. Bixbit - This is a very rare type of beryl. The stone got its name from the collector Bixby, became its discoverer. This mineral is valued more than emerald.
Bixbit has a bright red color, so it is sometimes called a red emerald. This is a fairly fragile stone. It is also characterized by translucency and glass shine. Bixbit practically cannot be cut, due to its rather small size. It is extremely rare to find specimens that would be advisable to cut, but only professionals with colossal experience can do this.
Characteristic differences: high-quality biscuits are raspberry colored, and do not contain foreign matter or defects. This mineral is often confused with morganite, which is also referred to as beryl.
8. Alexandrite
First Alexandrite, able to change its color, scientists found almost 200 years ago near Yekaterinburg. Over time, science has learned that some types of garnets and sapphires also possess this ability. This feature of the mineral indicates the presence of chromium oxide in the impurity.
And to this day, alexandrite fascinates connoisseurs of gems not only with its beauty, but also with the ability to change color depending on the type of lighting: in natural, it has a pronounced greenish tint, and in electric or twilight it becomes reddish.
By the way, the gem owes its name to autocrat Alexander II. Legend has it that the stone was found on the sixteenth birthday of this monarch.
7. Tourmaline paraiba
Paraiba It has a turquoise hue and an unlike anything neon glow, characteristic only of this mineral and no other.
Unfortunately, it is not impossible to take a picture that clearly displays this magical glow. At this time, paraiba tourmalines are mined in Brazil, Africa and on the island of Madagascar, however, the price of such gems is much lower than Brazilian.
The price of small tourmaline reaches an average of 15 thousand dollarswhile large specimens, faceted by eminent masters, can be of almost museum value and have fabulous value.
6. Precious Ruby
This gem is a distant relative of sapphire. In ancient times in Russia, both of these stones were called yachts. The red stone was famous and in great demand in ancient Greece and Rome.
Rubies found on all continents except Antarctica, but not all of them have an equally high price. The most expensive gems of this kind are Asian. Their cost usually reaches 15 thousand dollars per carat.
5. Diamond
Diamond - This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and popular gems. Its hardness is very high, so it is often used in industry. The age of some specimens, according to experts, reaches up to 2.5 million years. Also among them are gems of extraterrestrial origin.
Two parameters have a decisive influence on the cost of such stones: purity and color (in addition to transparent, yellow, blue and black specimens are also found).
4. Jadeite
The second name of this gem jade - “imperial”. It has a deep green color. One carat of imperial costs at least 20 thousand dollars. The Aztecs revered this stone as a sacred mineral, and the world famous “Emerald Buddha” is also created from jadeite.
3. Padparaj
There is a theory that the term “padparaj”Is translated as“ prince ”. This can be interpreted in different ways, but a similar name reflects the nobility and luxury of the gem. The color of this unique stone is still the subject of discussion by both experts and just lovers of jewelry. The only universally accepted definition of the shade of this gem still does not exist.
It was once believed that a stone is characterized by the fusion of three colors: pink, orange and red. However, some experts argue that each of these colors should be clearly visible in the play of light in an already faceted version.
2. Grandidierite
Grandidierite - an incredibly rare stone, it got its name from the name of the researcher who first described the gem.
The incomparable beauty and rarity make its price almost sky-high.
1. Red diamond
Red diamond - the most expensive gem known to mankind. Its cost can reach 1 million dollars per carat. This is due to its incomparable beauty and rarity. They are found exclusively on the territory of the Australian continent. Stones weighing over 0.1 carats are especially highly rated.
The largest red diamond weighed a little over 5 carats. Experts were at a loss to name the exact price of this nugget - it was so great.
For comparison: a few years ago a red diamond that weighed a little less than a carat was estimated at a little a lot at a trillion dollars!