Gemology Encyclopedia

Investment-Grade Gemstones

Gemstones historically sought by collectors and investors for their rarity, durability, and long-term value potential. All stones shown reach $5K/ct or above at the top of the market.

Entries 46
Max price $1.0M/ct
46 gems
Legendary Diamond
Pink Diamond
Collector Grade Jade
Jadeite

Fine untreated imperial jadeite is among the most valuable gems.

Legendary Chrysoberyl
Alexandrite

Strong color change and fine clarity make alexandrite extremely valuable.

Legendary Rare Mineral
Musgravite

Among the rarest facetable gem minerals.

Legendary Tourmaline
Paraiba Tourmaline

Copper-bearing neon color and origin disclosure drive value.

Extremely Rare Beryl
Emerald

Fine Colombian-type vivid green emerald with minor treatment can command very high prices.

Rare Diamond
Diamond

Price depends on 4Cs, fancy color, natural/synthetic origin, and certification.

Legendary Rare Mineral
Painite

Facet-grade painite is extremely rare.

Legendary Rare Mineral
Serendibite

Transparent blue-green stones are exceptionally rare.

Extremely Rare Corundum
Ruby

Fine untreated vivid red ruby, especially Burmese-type material, can reach exceptional prices.

Rare Jade
Jade

Imperial jadeite can reach extreme prices; nephrite is usually less costly.

Legendary Rare Mineral
Taaffeite

Fine taaffeite is extremely rare and collector-driven.

Collector Grade Spinel
Cobalt Blue Spinel
Collector Grade Corundum
Padparadscha Sapphire

The padparadscha color boundary is debated; major lab confirmation is important.

Very Rare Diamond
Fancy Yellow Diamond
Legendary Rare Mineral
Poudretteite

Transparent faceted material is very scarce.

Collector Grade Opal
Black Opal

Top Lightning Ridge black opal is among the most valuable opal.

Collector Grade Rare Mineral
Grandidierite

Transparent faceted material is very rare.

Extremely Rare Chrysoberyl
CatÔÇÖs Eye Chrysoberyl

Sharp centered eye and honey body color bring premiums.

Extremely Rare Spinel
Red Spinel
Very Rare Corundum
Blue Sapphire

Fine unheated Kashmir-type blue sapphires are among the highest valued blue gems.

Very Rare Corundum
Sapphire

Fine untreated blue, padparadscha, and special phenomena sapphires command the highest prices.

Rare Spinel
Spinel

Fine red and cobalt-blue spinel are highly valuable.

Extremely Rare Corundum
Color Change Sapphire

Strong attractive color change is rare and significantly increases value.

Very Rare Spinel
Pink Spinel
Legendary Rare Mineral
Benitoite

Fine blue stones from San Benito County are highly collectible.

Legendary Beryl
Red Beryl

Red beryl is extremely rare and usually occurs in small sizes.

Collector Grade Garnet
Color Change Garnet

Strong blue-to-red or green-to-red change is rare.

Collector Grade Rare Mineral
Jeremejevite

Fine blue crystals are prized by collectors.

Extremely Rare Garnet
Demantoid

Russian stones with horsetail inclusions command premiums.

Very Rare Corundum
Star Ruby
Very Rare Corundum
Star Sapphire

Sharp centered stars, good body color, transparency, and large sizes bring premiums.

Extremely Rare Spinel
Orange Spinel
Very Rare Tourmaline
Liddicoatite
Very Rare Garnet
Tsavorite

Untreated vivid stones over 2 ct are rare.

Rare Corundum
Parti Sapphire
Rare Corundum
Pink Sapphire

Vivid untreated stones are much more valuable than pale or heated material.

Collector Grade Feldspathoid
Ha├╝yne
Extremely Rare Topaz
Imperial Topaz

Fine pinkish orange imperial topaz is rare.

Very Rare Opal
Boulder Opal

Pattern, brightness, and attractive matrix shape matter.

Very Rare Tourmaline
Chrome Tourmaline

Fine vivid green can resemble tsavorite or emerald.

Very Rare Spinel
Purple Spinel
Very Rare Zoisite
Tanzanite

Large vivid blue-violet stones are more valuable.

Rare Tourmaline
Rubellite

Fine saturated red-pink rubellite is much more valuable than pale pink tourmaline.

Rare Garnet
Spessartite

Pure vivid orange mandarin material is most prized.

Rare Corundum
Teal Sapphire