Introduction
Do you remember being a kid and keeping your favorite little treasures in your pocket or hiding them in a special box under your bed? Maybe it was a shiny seashell, an arrowhead, or a rock with golden sparkles. Those treasures were your pride and joy, safe from curious siblings.
Now that you're an adult, you might still have a soft spot for sparkling gems—only now, your treasures are a bit more valuable. That shiny rock from your childhood? It might have been quartz with pyrite, also known as "fool's gold." Even if it's not worth much money, it still holds sentimental value.
There's something universal about loving rare, beautiful objects and wanting to keep them safe. If you're passionate about collecting gemstones but don't know where to start, this guide will show you a "good, better, best" approach to building a stunning collection without breaking the bank. Let's get started!
Good Rare Gemstones You Might Not Know About
- Golden Sphalerite
Golden sphalerite is a hidden gem (pun intended!) for collectors who want something rare and beautiful without spending a fortune. These gems cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, but they're worth every penny. Why? Sphalerite sparkles even more than diamonds—over three times more! Despite its dazzling brilliance, it's not well-known, which helps keep the price low. If you're starting a collection or adding to an existing one, golden sphalerite is an excellent choice.
- Cerussite
You might not have heard of cerussite (pronounced "seh-ruse-ite"), but it's a stunning and unique gem. Its crystals often grow in star-like shapes, which mineral collectors love, and its sparkle is unmatched when cut as a gemstone. Cerussite is colorless and contains lead, giving it a shine that rivals fine lead crystal. While it's too soft to use in jewelry, its exceptional beauty makes it a perfect showpiece for any gem collection.
- Rhodochrosite
You may have seen rhodochrosite as pink, opaque stones, but the rare transparent variety from Colorado's Sweet Home Mine is a completely different story. This rhodochrosite has a glowing, neon-red appearance that changes under warm lights, creating a rich orangey-red hue at night. It's incredibly rare since the mine that produced it is no longer active, making these gems a one-of-a-kind treasure for any collector.
Better: Rare Gemstones & Unusual Beauties
- Diaspore
Some gems stand out because of their special features, like changing color or being found in unique locations. Turkish color-change diaspore is one such gem, prized by experts for its exceptional quality. JTV Gemstone Expert Jay Boyle suggests going for the largest stone you can afford, as size adds value. However, it's become much harder to find large diaspores due to limited supply and rising prices. If you want a rare and distinctive gem, consider getting a diaspore that fits your budget—it's a treasure worth owning.
- Pakistani Peridot
Pakistani peridot is another gem that is highly recommended by experts. Unlike many stones that have skyrocketed in price, peridot remains surprisingly affordable. Jay Boyle calls it "super rare, undervalued, and getting harder to find." These gems are known for their beauty, durability, and excellent origin. With large, flawless stones still available at reasonable prices, now is the perfect time to add Pakistani peridot to your collection before prices inevitably rise.
- Kunzite
Kunzite is a standout gem for any collection, named after one of the world's top gemologists. Known for its vivid orchid-pink color & impressively large sizes - sometimes measured in inches - it's a true showstopper. Though discovered only about 100 years ago, kunzite has quickly gained popularity among serious collectors. Its vibrant color & significant size make it a gem you won't want to miss.
Most rare gemstones recognized by mankind
- Grandidierite
Grandidierite is a breathtaking gemstone with a teal or blue-green color that looks like tropical lagoons. French explorer Alfred Grandidier first discovered grandidierite in 1902 in Madagascar. Grandidierite is a very rare gemstone, found in only a few mining locations, which makes it highly prized by collectors.
- Painite
Painite is considered the rarest gemstone on Earth. Discovered in 1951, it has a fiery orange color and is only found in a handful of locations worldwide. Its vivid hue and extreme scarcity make Painite one of the most desirable gems in the world, often referred to as a gem fit for royalty.
- Serendibite
Serendibite is an exceptionally rare gemstone with a striking green or blue-green color. It was discovered in 1953 in the Sri Lanka region and is famous for its brilliant sparkle. Because it is so rare, serendibite has become a dream find for gemstone collectors.
- Musgravite
Musgravite is a unique gemstone that changes colors, ranging from clear to green or even a rare grape-purple shade. Found mostly in Australia and Sri Lanka, it's incredibly rare and difficult to work with because of its brittleness. Perfectly cut Musgravite gems are among the most valuable in the world.
- Demantoid
Demantoid garnet is known for its bright green color and sparkling shine, which can be even more stunning than diamonds. It was found in the Ural Mountains of Russia and is famous for its fiery brilliance and the way it catches the light. Because of its rarity, Demantoid is highly sought after by collectors.
- Taaffeite
Taaffeite is also a very rare gemstone. It has a beautiful lavender or violet color and sometimes displays a magical play of light. Taaffeite was discovered in 1945 in Ireland by Count Taaffe. It is found in only a few places around the world. Its rarity, as well as its captivating beauty, makes it a prized gemstone among collectors.
What Makes Rare Gemstones Collectible?
Collecting gemstones is both an art and a science, a tradition greatly influenced by Dr. Eduard J. Gubelin, often called "gemstone royalty." He was famous for his incredible gem collection, groundbreaking research, and gracious personality.
Dr. Gubelin believed that rarity is the most important quality of a collectible gemstone. For him, the focus wasn't on price but on how unique and rare the gem was. High-end collectors don't just chase the most expensive gems—they search for the rarest and best-quality stones. Interestingly, some rare stones can be surprisingly affordable because they are not well-known, while rare stones in high demand naturally cost more.
Dr. Gubelin encouraged collectors to seek out "collector's stones," which are gemstones so rare or unfamiliar that most people haven't even heard of them. These gems are often too delicate or soft for jewelry, which limits their popularity but makes them ideal for a collection. Their rarity and beauty are what make them truly special, even if they're not widely recognized. Collectors treasure these hidden gems for their uniqueness and value as true one-of-a-kind treasures.
Why Collect Rare Gemstones?
Why do people collect rare gemstones? The main reason is their stunning colors and natural, sparkling beauty. It's a fascinating hobby, and if your collection increases in value over time, that's a great bonus. As Dr. Eduard J. Gubelin once said, "Rare gems offer collectors the joy of a captivating hobby and the added benefit of maintaining their value."
While gemstones aren't guaranteed investments, they hold unique appeal. These nonrenewable natural treasures come from remote, challenging locations and become rarer as they're mined. Dr. Gubelin also noted that if rare gems are of high quality, they can serve as a "mobile safeguard" of wealth, holding their value and being easily sold if needed.
Unlike other collectibles like cars or real estate, gemstones aren't produced or developed over time. A gem collector can hold incredible value in a single small, portable stone—something that's been considered transportable wealth for centuries. Owning gemstones is about more than just financial value; it's about the joy of admiring their beauty, learning their stories, and cherishing them—just like the precious treasures you once carried in your pocket as a child.
How To Get Your Rare Gemstone Collection Started
When starting a gemstone collection, most collectors or dealers pick gems that attract them with their beauty, rarity, or both. There's no right or wrong way to do it, and you can shape your collection based on your budget and interests. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Collect by Color: If you're drawn to a specific color, like vivid blue, you can create a collection featuring gems of that shade, such as sapphire, blue spinel, tanzanite, benitoite, kyanite, and hauyne.
- Focus on One Type: Some collectors specialize in a single type of sought-after gemstone, like Colombian emeralds, unheated Burmese rubies, or Kashmir sapphires.
- Build a Rainbow: You can collect a variety of gems from a single species, like spinel, tourmaline, garnet, or sapphire, in all the colors in which they naturally occur. For example, you might collect a rainbow of spinels or every shade of pink spinel.
- Explore Themes: Consider building a collection based on:
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Birthstones: Collect one of every birthstone.
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Local Gems: Focus on rare gemstones found in your state or across the U.S.
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Biblical Stones: Collect gems mentioned in the Bible, like those in the Breastplate of Aaron.
- Create a Matching Set: For those with a larger budget and plenty of patience, try assembling a suite of gemstones perfectly matched in color, size, or shape or all three.
No matter what path you choose, gemstone collecting is a deeply personal and rewarding hobby that lets you appreciate the beauty and rarity of these natural treasures.
Conclusion
Building a rare gemstone collection within your budget is an exciting and rewarding journey. Whether you're drawn to their vibrant colors, types, themes, rarity, or rich history, gemstones offer a timeless beauty that makes them truly special. By starting small, you can create a collection that reflects your personal style and passion. Remember, rare gemstones are more than just nature's creations; they can become even more valuable over time. With patience and curiosity, you can assemble a collection that is not only meaningful but also a lasting treasure for years to come.
