Note: This list is in reverse order, unlike most of my top ten lists.
1. Tanzanite - Found only in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is expected than tanzanite will be mined out within the next twenty to thirty years. Market value: $600-$1000 per karat.
2. Taaffeite - Pronounced ‘tar-fite’ and found in colors ranging from nearly colorless to lavender, mauve and violet, only a handful of these gems have ever been found, mostly in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Market value: $1500-$2500 per karat.
3. Black opal - Almost all black opal comes from a single mine in New South Wales, Australia. Market value: $2355 per karat.
4. Benitoite - Benitoite is the official state gem of California due to the fact that it is found almost exclusively near the San Benito River, which flows through California. A few specimens have been found in Arkansas and Japan, but its only commercial mine is located in California. It also glows when placed under UV light (picture). Market value: $3000-$4000 per karat.
5. Red beryl - Also known as ‘bixbite’ or ‘Scarlet emerald’, red beryl is found exclusively in the American states of Utah and New Mexico. Market value: $10,000 per karat.
6. Alexandrite - Named for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Alexandrite has color-changing properties which makes it both unique and rare among gemstones. When exposed to incandescent light (such as candlelight), it appears to have a pink hue; but when exposed to daylight, its color changes from pink to green. You can watch a video of it changing color here (video). Market value: $12,000 per karat.
7. Jadeite - Although its name resembles the semi-precious gemstone jade, jadeite is actually many times more valuable than its less common counterpart. Jadeite is found only in limited quantities in Myanmar. Market value: $20,000 per karat.
8. Musgravite - A precious gem in the same family as taaffeite, this mineral’s color ranges from purple to a brilliant greenish grey. Although very small quantities have recently been found in Greenland, Antarctica, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar, for several decades there were only eight known specimens of this rare gem. Market value: $35,000 per karat.
9. Painite - Only a handful of these reddish-brown crystals have ever been discovered, and only in Myanmar. Up until a few years ago, only two specimens had ever been found. Market value: $50,000-$60,000 per karat.
10. Pink Star diamond - The Pink Star diamond is a “fancy vivid pink” diamond that was mined in South Africa in 1999. Weighing in at 59.6 karats, it was sold by Sotheby’s for a record $83 million - more than any other gem ever sold. That’s about $1,395,761 per karat.
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