Gems by Rarity
Gemstone types grouped by geological rarity
Singular Occurrence
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Afghanite | Rare blue sodium, potassium, calcium tectosilicate; primarily known from Afghanistan with very limited gem material. |
| Alexandrite | Color-change chrysoberyl that forms under very specific conditions; collector-grade examples are rare. |
| Benitoite | Blue barium titanium silicate first discovered in California; gem-quality specimens are localized and rare. |
| Bixbite | Very rare red beryl with extremely limited occurrences (notably in Utah); collector-grade material is scarce. |
| Black Opal | Opal with dark body tone and vivid play of color; primarily from Lightning Ridge, Australia. |
| Blue Diamond | Extremely rare fancy color diamond; blue color from boron. Hope Diamond (45ct) most famous example. Among most valuable gems per carat. |
| Charoite | Purple silicate from Russia only; distinctive swirling patterns. |
| Clinohumite | Orange to brownish-orange magnesium silicate; gem-quality material is exceptionally rare, primarily from Tajikistan. |
| Grandidierite | A very rare blue-green mineral with limited localities; collector-grade gems are scarce. |
| Green Diamond | Extremely rare fancy color diamond; natural green from radiation exposure over millions of years. Dresden Green (41ct) most famous example. |
| Jeremejevite | Extremely rare aluminum borate mineral; facet-quality crystals are exceptionally scarce with very few sources worldwide. |
| Larimar | Blue pectolite from Dominican Republic only; distinctive volcanic blue. |
| Moldavite | Green tektite (natural glass) from meteorite impact in Czech Republic 15 million years ago. Not a true mineral; impact glass. |
| Musgravite | Among the rarest gemstones; found in tiny quantities and valued by collectors. |
| Painite | Once among the rarest minerals known, with very few gem-quality crystals; exceptionally scarce. |
| Paraiba Tourmaline | Copper-bearing tourmaline with vivid neon blue-green color; original Brazilian deposits are nearly depleted, making it exceptionally rare. |
| Pezzottaite | Cesium-rich beryl variety discovered in Madagascar 2002. Deep raspberry pink color. Named after Italian mineralogist Federico Pezzotta. |
| Phosphophyllite | Zinc iron phosphate; exceptional blue-green color. Extremely soft and perfect cleavage makes it one of most fragile gems. |
| Pink Diamond | Extremely rare fancy color diamond; Argyle mine closure (2020) has made supply even more limited. Among the most valuable gemstones per carat. |
| Poudretteite | Extremely rare potassium sodium boron silicate. Discovered in Quebec 1960s; gem-quality from Myanmar. Soft pink to raspberry color. |
| Serendibite | Exceptionally rare mineral with very few known gem specimens; highly prized by specialists. |
| Sugilite | Purple manganese silicate; primarily from South Africa. |
| Taaffeite | Extremely rare gem originally mistaken for spinel; fine material is exceptionally scarce. |
| Tanzanite | Violet-blue zoisite found only in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania); limited primary source. |
| Vayrynenite | Extremely rare manganese beryllium phosphate; one of the rarest minerals with only a handful of known specimens. |
Unique Geological
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Axinite | Calcium aluminum borosilicate; distinctive wedge-shaped crystals. Cinnamon-brown to violet colors; strong pleochroism. |
| Black Diamond | Polycrystalline diamond with dark color from graphite inclusions or irradiation; natural Carbonado from Brazil and Central African Republic is rarest form. |
| Blue Spinel | Blue spinel colored by iron or cobalt; fine cobalt blue material is exceptionally rare and valuable. |
| Brazilianite | Sodium aluminum phosphate; chartreuse yellow-green color. Named after Brazil; relatively rare phosphate gem. |
| Burmese Spinel | Fine spinel from Myanmar's Mogok region; red, pink, and blue varieties most valued. |
| Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl | Chrysoberyl with chatoyancy; fine cat's eyes with sharp, centered bands are valuable. |
| Cerussite | Lead carbonate with exceptional adamantine luster and high dispersion. Extremely soft and brittle; collector cuts only. |
| Chondrodite | Magnesium silicate hydroxide/fluoride; orange to reddish-brown color. Humite group mineral; attractive warm colors; rare in gem quality. |
| Chrome Sphene | Chrome-bearing titanite with intense green color. Higher dispersion than diamond. Soft but exceptionally brilliant; collector favorite. |
| Color-Change Garnet | Garnet showing color change; pyrope-Spessartite hybrids most common. |
| Cuprite | Copper oxide with adamantine luster; deep red color. Transparent crystals very rare; most material opaque. Too soft for jewelry. |
| Demantoid | Green andradite garnet with exceptional dispersion; classic Russian deposits and newer African sources are limited. |
| Dioptase | Copper cyclosilicate; vivid emerald-green color rivals emerald. Too soft for jewelry; primarily specimen interest. |
| Emerald | Green beryl colored by chromium and/or vanadium; fine quality emeralds from classic localities (Colombia, Zambia) are geologically rare. |
| Euclase | Beryllium aluminum silicate; exceptional blue color. Perfect cleavage makes cutting extremely difficult; rare in clean crystals. |
| Hackmanite | Tenebrescent variety of sodalite that changes color when exposed to UV light. Purple fades to white in sunlight, then returns. Rare phenomenon. |
| Hambergite | Beryllium borate hydroxide; colorless to white with exceptional brilliance. High dispersion creates fire; perfect cleavage makes cutting difficult. |
| Hauyne | Rare sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate. Vivid electric blue color. Extremely rare in gem quality; most stones under 1 carat. |
| Herderite | Calcium beryllium phosphate hydroxide/fluoride; colorless to pale yellow or green. Rare collector gem; often confused with other phosphates. |
| Imperial Topaz | Orange to pink-orange topaz; finest material from Brazilian deposits is rare and represents the most valuable topaz variety. |
| Jadeite | Sodium aluminum silicate; imperial green jadeite from Myanmar most valued. |
| Kornerupine | Rare borosilicate mineral; gem-quality material is scarce. |
| Mahenge Spinel | Vivid hot pink spinel from Mahenge region, Tanzania. Discovered 2007; neon-like pink color unique to this deposit. Highly prized by collectors. |
| Opaque Hauyne | Opaque variety of hauyne with vivid blue color. Distinct from transparent hauyne in pricing and market. Primarily used for carvings and cabochons. Rarer than transparent material. |
| Padparadscha Sapphire | Rare pink-orange sapphire; the classic color combination is found primarily in Sri Lanka and is geologically uncommon. |
| Parisite | Rare earth calcium carbonate fluoride; golden-brown to yellowish color. Contains cerium and lanthanum; collector mineral with attractive color. |
| Phenakite | Rare beryllium silicate; exceptionally clear crystals prized by collectors. Fine specimens from Russia, Brazil, and Madagascar. |
| Pollucite | Cesium aluminum silicate; primary cesium ore. Colorless and transparent material rare; collector cuts only. |
| Red Spinel | Pure red spinel rivaling ruby in color; fine specimens from classic localities (Burma, Tajikistan) are geologically rare. |
| Rhodochrosite | Pink manganese carbonate; transparent facetable material is rare. |
| Ruby | Gem-quality corundum with chromium — superb stones are limited to a handful of classic localities. |
| Sapphire | Variety of corundum; fine-color sapphires are mined in select regions and are prized. |
| Sapphirine | Rare magnesium aluminum oxide silicate; blue to greenish-blue color. Extremely rare in gem quality; most material opaque or translucent. |
| Sphalerite | ve ry high dispersion but fragile; gem-quality sphalerite is rare and mainly for collectors. |
| Sphene | Highly refractive titanite with dispersive fire; fine faceting material is rare. |
| Star Ruby | Ruby with asterism; quality depends on star sharpness, centering, and body color. |
| Star Sapphire | Sapphire with asterism; quality depends on star sharpness, centering, and body color. |
| Stibiotantalite | Antimony tantalum oxide; yellowish-brown to reddish-brown color. Extremely rare tantalum mineral; high refractive index creates adamantine luster. |
| Tsavorite | Bright green grossular garnet colored by vanadium and/or chromium; found primarily in East Africa and is geologically rare. |
| Uvarovite | Emerald green garnet; rarely found in facetable sizes, usually as druzy. |
| Yellow Diamond | Fancy color diamond with yellow color from nitrogen; most common fancy color diamond. Vivid and intense yellows most valuable. |
Limited Occurrence
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Achroite | Colorless tourmaline variety; rare compared to colored tourmalines. Name from Greek "achros" (colorless). |
| Albite | Sodium feldspar; peristerite variety shows blue sheen. Cleavelandite variety forms bladed crystals. |
| Amazonite | Green to blue-green microcline feldspar; popular ornamental stone. |
| Amblygonite | Lithium aluminum phosphate; colorless to pale yellow. Perfect cleavage makes cutting challenging. |
| Ametrine | Natural bicolor quartz showing amethyst purple and citrine yellow; primarily from Bolivia. |
| Andalusite | Noted for strong pleochroism; gem-quality stones are limited in supply. |
| Andesine | Plagioclase feldspar; red varieties from Tibet/China controversial due to treatment concerns. |
| Andradite | Calcium-iron garnet; most varieties are uncommon with demantoid being the most valued. |
| Apatite | Calcium phosphate; neon blue and green varieties most valued. |
| Aquamarine | Blue beryl colored by iron; larger sizes and deeper saturation increase value. |
| Azurite | Deep blue copper carbonate; often found with malachite. |
| Bastnasite | Cerium rare-earth fluorocarbonate mineral. Yellow to reddish-brown. Important rare earth ore; primarily mineralogical interest. |
| Beryl | Generic beryl entry for mixed or unspecified beryl varieties. Includes goshenite, morganite, heliodor, and other beryls. Hardness 7.5-8. |
| Blue Topaz | Blue topaz colored by iron; most commercial blue topaz is irradiated. Swiss blue and London blue varieties most valued. Abundant supply from Brazil. |
| Boulder Opal | Opal with ironstone matrix; primarily from Queensland, Australia. |
| Brown Diamond | Fancy color diamond with brown color; marketed as champagne, cognac, or chocolate diamonds. Most affordable fancy color. |
| Bytownite | Plagioclase feldspar; golden to champagne colors with aventurescence. Oregon material most valued. |
| Cassiterite | Tin oxide mineral and primary tin ore. Brown to black with adamantine luster; high dispersion when transparent. Occasionally faceted. |
| Chrysoberyl | Beryllium aluminum oxide mineral. Generic chrysoberyl entry for name matching priority. Includes alexandrite (color-change) and cat's eye (cymophane) varieties. |
| Chrysoprase | Apple green chalcedony colored by nickel; fine color is less common. |
| Crystal Opal | Transparent to translucent opal with play of color; body allows light transmission. |
| Danburite | Calcium borosilicate mineral named after Danbury, Connecticut. Typically colorless to pale yellow; resembles topaz. Good brilliance and dispersion. |
| Diaspore | Aluminum oxide hydroxide showing color change; gem-quality material is primarily from Turkey and relatively uncommon. |
| Diopside | Calcium magnesium silicate; chrome diopside from Russia most valued. |
| Elbaite | Lithium-rich tourmaline; most colorful tourmaline variety. Includes watermelon, rubellite, indicolite varieties. |
| Enstatite | Magnesium silicate; gem-quality material is uncommon. |
| Epidote | Calcium aluminum iron silicate; distinctive pistachio green color. Strong pleochroism; collector cuts. |
| Erythrite | Cobalt arsenate mineral known as "cobalt bloom". Vivid crimson to pink color. Very soft; purely specimen interest. |
| Fire Opal | Orange to red opal; Mexican material with play of color is most valued. |
| Goshenite | Colorless beryl; historically used as diamond simulant but now primarily a collector gem. |
| Green Beryl | Light green beryl that doesn't qualify as emerald; less saturated green color. |
| Grossular | Calcium aluminum garnet; includes hessonite and other color varieties. |
| Hawk's Eye | Blue-gray fibrous quartz with chatoyancy; less common than tiger's eye. |
| Heliodor | Yellow to greenish-yellow beryl; available but less popular than other beryl varieties. |
| Hiddenite | Green spodumene variety; gem-quality pieces are uncommon and prized by collectors. |
| Hyalite | Colorless glassy opal; notable for strong green UV fluorescence. |
| Hypersthene | Iron magnesium silicate with bronzy sheen; collector stone. |
| Idocrase | Calcium magnesium aluminum silicate; also known as vesuvianite. Green californite variety most valued; yellow-brown common; jade-like appearance. |
| Indicolite | Blue tourmaline; occurs less frequently than other tourmaline colors with quality material from limited sources. |
| Iolite | Violet-blue cordierite with strong pleochroism; popular sapphire alternative. |
| Jelly Opal | Translucent opal with little or no play of color; gelatinous appearance. |
| Kunzite | Pink to violet spodumene that requires careful handling; commercial gem material is sourced from limited deposits. |
| Kyanite | Blue aluminum silicate with variable hardness; challenging to cut. |
| Labradorite | Feldspar with labradorescence; spectrolite from Finland shows exceptional play of color. |
| Lapis Lazuli | Blue rock composed mainly of lazurite; Afghan material most valued. |
| Malaya Garnet | Pyrope-Spessartite garnet originally from Tanzania/Kenya border. Peachy-pink to reddish-orange colors. Name from Swahili for "outcast". |
| Mali Garnet | Grossular-andradite hybrid from Mali; attractive yellow-green color. |
| Moonstone | Feldspar with adularescence; fine blue sheen specimens are less common than white moonstone. |
| Morganite | Pink beryl; gem material is reasonably available, but fine saturated colors are less common. |
| Nephrite | Calcium magnesium silicate; mutton fat white nephrite from Xinjiang valued. |
| Oligoclase | Plagioclase feldspar; gem-quality material is uncommon and primarily for collectors. |
| Opal | Hydrated silica mineraloid with play of color. Generic opal entry for name matching priority. Includes precious and common opal varieties. |
| Opaque Emerald | Opaque green beryl lacking the transparency and clarity of gem emerald. Distinct pricing from transparent emerald due to different market and applications. Used for carvings and cabochons. |
| Orthoclase | Yellow feldspar; gem-quality material primarily from Madagascar. |
| Pargasite | Calcium-sodium magnesium aluminum silicate hydroxide; amphibole mineral. Chrome-green variety most valued; strong pleochroism. |
| Peridot | Green olivine; fine saturated colors from Myanmar, Pakistan, or Arizona are valued. |
| Peruvian Opal | Blue to blue-green common opal from Peru; no play of color. |
| Petalite | Lithium aluminum silicate; colorless to pale pink. Perfect cleavage makes cutting challenging; collector gem. |
| Pink Spinel | Pink spinel occurs with moderate frequency; commercial material is available though top-color stones are less common. |
| Pink Topaz | Natural pink topaz is uncommon; most pink topaz is heat-treated or represents the pink end of imperial topaz color range. |
| Prasiolite | Green quartz; most is heat-treated amethyst, natural material rare. |
| Prehnite | Green calcium aluminum silicate; attractive translucent green. |
| Pyrope | Blood red garnet; fine color specimens are less common than almandine. |
| Rhodolite | Pink to purple-red garnet; popular for its attractive color and durability. |
| Rhodonite | Pink manganese silicate; often with black manganese oxide veins. |
| Rubellite | Red to pink tourmaline that retains color in all lighting; fine saturated colors are uncommon. |
| Rutilated Quartz | Quartz with rutile needle inclusions; golden and red rutile most valued. |
| Scapolite | Sodium calcium aluminum silicate; yellow and purple varieties most valued. |
| Scheelite | Calcium tungstate mineral with strong fluorescence under UV. Colorless to orange-brown. Primary tungsten ore; occasionally faceted. |
| Seraphinite | Green clinochlore with silvery feathery patterns; ornamental use only. |
| Sillimanite | Aluminum silicate polymorph; fibrous structure creates cat's eye effect. Violet-blue variety most valued. |
| Smithsonite | Zinc carbonate in various colors; blue-green most valued. Soft but attractive; primarily cabochon use. |
| Spessartite | Orange garnet; mandarin Spessartite from Nigeria highly valued. |
| Spinel | Magnesium aluminum oxide mineral. Generic spinel entry for name matching priority. Historically confused with ruby; now recognized as valuable in its own right. |
| Spodumene | Lithium aluminum silicate mineral. Generic spodumene entry; includes kunzite (pink) and hiddenite (green) varieties. Good brilliance but perfect cleavage requires care. |
| Sunstone | Feldspar with aventurescence; Oregon sunstone with copper inclusions is most valued. |
| Tantalite | Iron-manganese tantalate mineral and primary ore of tantalum. Black to brownish-black with submetallic luster. Primarily collector and specimen interest. |
| Tanzanian Spinel | Spinel from Tanzania including famous Mahenge deposit; hot pink highly valued. |
| Tourmalinated Quartz | Quartz with black tourmaline needle inclusions; graphic patterns valued. |
| Triplite | Sodium calcium aluminum silicate; includes blue and pink varieties. Strong pleochroism; collector cuts. |
| Turquoise | Blue-green copper aluminum phosphate; Persian and American material valued. |
| Verdelite | Green tourmaline variety; ranges from yellow-green to deep forest green. Chrome verdelite (colored by chromium) is rarer and more valuable. |
| Vesuvianite | Calcium aluminum silicate; also called idocrase. Green californite variety most valued; yellow-brown common. |
| Vietnamese Purple Spinel | Rare purple-colored spinel variety from Vietnam; highly prized for its unique vibrant purple color. Limited availability makes it a sought-after collector's gem. |
| Watermelon Tourmaline | Tourmaline with pink center and green rim; natural color zoning is attractive but less common than single-color varieties. |
| White Opal | Light-bodied opal with play of color; most common precious opal variety. |
| Xenotime | Yttrium phosphate mineral containing rare earth elements. Brown to yellowish-brown with vitreous luster. Collector mineral. |
| Zircon | Natural zircon with high dispersion; blue heat-treated Cambodia material popular. |
| Zoisite | Calcium aluminum silicate; includes tanzanite (blue variety) and thulite (pink variety). Generic zoisite typically green. |
Abundant Minerals
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Agate | Banded chalcedony; numerous varieties with different patterns and colors. |
| Almandine | Deep red garnet; most common garnet variety. |
| Amethyst | Purple quartz; abundant but fine deep purple material is less common. |
| Aragonite | Calcium carbonate polymorph; forms prismatic crystals and stalactitic masses. Too soft for jewelry wear; primarily collector specimens. |
| Aventurine | Quartz with mica or fuchsite inclusions creating sparkle; green most common. |
| Bloodstone | Dark green chalcedony with red jasper spots; traditional birthstone. |
| Calcite | Calcium carbonate with perfect cleavage; strong birefringence. Optical calcite (Iceland spar) valued for double refraction. |
| Carnelian | Orange to red-orange chalcedony; historically valued, now common. |
| Chalcedony | Cryptocrystalline quartz; includes many varieties like agate and carnelian. |
| Citrine | Yellow to orange quartz; most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst. |
| Diamond | While individual high-quality large diamonds are rare, diamond deposits worldwide are numerous and commercial production is substantial. |
| Feldspar | Generic feldspar entry for mixed or unspecified feldspar varieties. Includes moonstone, sunstone, labradorite, and other feldspars. Hardness varies by variety. |
| Fluorite | Calcium fluoride in many colors; too soft for jewelry wear. |
| Hematite | Iron oxide with metallic luster; black to steel-gray with red streak. Often used for intaglios and seals. |
| Jasper | Opaque cryptocrystalline quartz; numerous varieties with different patterns. |
| Malachite | Banded green copper carbonate; popular ornamental stone. |
| Milky Quartz | White translucent quartz; very common and of minimal gem value. |
| Onyx | Black and white banded chalcedony; solid black onyx is usually dyed agate. |
| Quartz | Silicon dioxide; includes many varieties. Generic quartz entry for name matching priority. |
| Rock Crystal | Colorless transparent quartz; historically valued but now common. |
| Rose Quartz | Pink quartz; rarely transparent, usually translucent to opaque. |
| Sardonyx | Red-brown and white banded chalcedony; historically used for cameos. |
| Serpentine | Magnesium silicate group; includes bowenite and antigorite. Often used as jade substitute. Soft and variable hardness. |
| Smoky Quartz | Brown to black quartz; natural and irradiated material available. |
| Sodalite | Blue sodium aluminum silicate; lapis lazuli alternative. |
| Synthetic Emerald | Lab-created corundum (Al2O3) with same physical and chemical properties as natural sapphire. Various colors produced. |
| Synthetic Ruby | Lab-created corundum (Al2O3) with same physical and chemical properties as natural sapphire. Various colors produced. |
| Synthetic Sapphire | Lab-created corundum (Al2O3) with same physical and chemical properties as natural sapphire. Various colors produced. |
| Tiger's Eye | Fibrous quartz with chatoyancy; golden brown most common, red and blue available. |
Common Gemstones
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Garnet | Silicate mineral group with many species. Generic garnet entry for name matching priority. Includes almandine, pyrope, Spessartite, grossular, andradite, and uvarovite. |
| Topaz | Aluminum silicate mineral. Generic topaz entry for name matching priority. Blue topaz very common (treated); imperial topaz (orange-pink) is rare and valuable. |
| Tourmaline | Boron silicate mineral group with many color varieties. Generic tourmaline entry for name matching priority. Includes rubellite, indicolite, verdelite, and more. |
Abudant Minerals
| Gem Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Ammolite | |
| Lepidolite |