A birthstone represents your birth month, but what about its market value? From incredibly rare to beautifully accessible, their prices vary as much as their hues. Let’s explore the most expensive birthstones and the most affordable ones.
What is the Most Expensive Birthstone?
When we talk about the most expensive birthstones, we’re generally looking at the “Big Four” of the gem world, known for their rarity, incredible hardness, and breathtaking brilliance.
- Diamond (April): No surprise here! The diamond, reigning supreme for April, is synonymous with luxury and eternal love. Its value comes from unparalleled hardness and brilliance. Accessible in small sizes, but prices soar for large, colorless, and perfectly cut stones due to their extreme rarity.
- Ruby (July): The fiery red ruby, the birthstone for July, is a king among gems. Its intense red color, especially the coveted “Pigeon’s Blood” hue, is driven by chromium. Exceptionally rare in large sizes with good clarity, top-quality rubies can command per-carat prices that rival or surpass diamonds.
- Alexandrite (June)：It’s the birthstone for June, this gem’s value lies in its dramatic color shift – from green in daylight to red under incandescent light, and exceptional rarity due to specific formation conditions. High-quality pieces are so scarce that their per-carat prices compete with top rubies and sapphires.
- Sapphire (September): While famed for its classic blue hue, September’s sapphire dazzles in a rainbow of “fancy” colors. The rarest is the unique pink-orange Padparadscha. Like rubies, large, high-quality sapphires with rich color and clarity are scarce and command top prices.
- Emerald (May): Emerald is revered for its lush green color. As a beryl, its characteristic inclusions (“jardin”) are often accepted, but clean, vivid green stones—especially from Colombia—are extremely rare, driving their high value and enduring appeal among royalty.
What is the Most Affordable Birthstone?
Fortunately, you don’t need a royal treasury to enjoy the beauty and symbolism of a birthstone! Many are wonderfully abundant and offer incredible beauty at a much more accessible price point.
- Amethyst (February): The regal purple amethyst, February’s birthstone, is a variety of quartz. Once reserved for nobility, its current abundance makes it a widely accessible and affordable gemstone.
- Garnet (January): January’s birthstone, the garnet, known for its classic wine-red hue, it is actually a group of minerals boasting a stunning color spectrum. The classic red varieties are plentiful, offering a beautiful and budget-friendly choice.
- Peridot (August): The cheerful, vibrant green peridot is the birthstone for August. This gem is a vibrant green gem born from volcanoes and meteorites. Its distinctive olive hue is common, with larger crystals readily available, making it refreshingly affordable.
- Aquamarine (March): March’s birthstone is a serene blue-green beryl. This stunning gem is generally accessible, frequently forming in large, eye-clean crystals that offer a captivating and cost-effective alternative to precious sapphire.
- Citrine / Topaz (November): November is lucky enough to have two birthstones, both generally quite affordable!
- Citrine: Another beautiful variety of quartz, citrine ranges from sunny yellow to deep brownish-orange. Its warm, inviting tones are popular, and it’s readily available in larger sizes.
- Topaz: While the golden Imperial Topaz is costly, the most common blue topaz is typically treated for its vibrant color, making it widely available and very affordable.
FAQs:
Q: Which Birthstone Is the Most Expensive in Order?
A: Based on the market value of natural stones, here is the general ranking of birthstones from most to least expensive: Diamond (April), Alexandrite (June), Ruby (July), Emerald (May), Sapphire (September), Black Opal (October), Spinel (August), Tanzanite (December), Aquamarine (March), Tourmaline (October), Garnet (January), Pearl (June), Zircon (December), Topaz (November), Peridot (August), Sardonyx (August), Amethyst (February), Citrine (November), Turquoise (December), Blue Topaz (December).
Q: What Is the Rarest Birthstone?
A: The rarest birthstone is Alexandrite. Its extreme rarity comes from a unique color-change ability and exceptionally specific geological conditions needed to form it.
Q: Which Month Has Two Birthstones?
A: June, November, and December each have multiple birthstones. Pearls and Alexandrite are for June; Topaz and Citrine for November. December’s birthstones are Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite and Blue Topaz.
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