The classification “semi-precious” implies that stones of this type hold less value than precious stones. However, that's not actually the case. Diamonds are the “gold standard” when it comes to a precious stone that everyone knows (in large part due to a marketing campaign and the catchy phrase about them being a girl’s best friend). However, there are semi-precious stones that are significantly rarer, and some of them hold extremely high value.
Take Alexandrite, for example. Discovered in the 1830s in Ural Russia, Alexandrite is a form of Chrysoberyl which is amongst the rarest minerals in the world because of its unusual chemical composition. Alexandrite is rarer than Diamonds and more expensive than Emeralds, Sapphires, or Rubies.
Another great example is Tanzanite, which is often called the most important gemstone discovery in more than a thousand years. This gorgeous blue gemstone is also considered semi-precious, but this form of Fuchsite stone, discovered in the 1960s, only occurs in one place in the world: Tanzania. Because of its rarity, Tanzanite maintains value at a significantly higher rate than many other semi-precious stones—about ,200 per carat.
It’s kind of unbelievable, but new semi-precious gemstones are still being discovered! For example, fast forward a couple of decades to the 1980s. During that decade, the World Jewelry (sic) Confederation declared Ammolite to be a new, organic, semi-precious gem. Ammolite is made of the shells of mollusk fossils that are more than 65 million years old. Ammolite triplets and doublets are extremely rare and valuable. Almost all the world's known Ammolite comes from the Alberta province of Canada.
All of these gemstones that were discovered more recently are extremely valuable, but one semi-precious gemstone that may completely surprise you as far as value is concerned is pearls. Naturally occurring pearls hold higher value because 90% of pearl jewelry produced today is made with cultivated pearls. On top of that, pearls are not particularly hard or sturdy. They're a fragile beautiful piece of nature. This means vintage natural pearl jewelry is always valuable.
The reality is rarity and beauty determine value, and value changes just like beauty. According to Forbes Magazine the top twelve most expensive semi-precious gemstones in the world, per carat from most valuable and expensive to least are:
Red Diamond
Taaffeite
Grandidierite
Serendibite
Diamond
Alexandrite
Red Beryl
Musgravite
Benitoite
Poudretteite
Fire Opal
Jeremejevite
If you would like an honest appraisal of your semi-precious stones please schedule an appointment with Sal Lanzieri at Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry in Fort Myers. Call Sal at 239-481-9600 to make your appointment. We are located at 12710 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919
