Which Are the Most Expensive Birthstones?

Gorgeous and meaningful, birthstones hold a special place in our hearts.

While each gem is spectacular in its own right, they come with different price tags based on their availability and popularity.

So, continue reading to find out which are the most expensive ones.

But First, What Is a Birthstone?

Simply put, a birthstone is nothing but a gemstone that represents one’s birth month. It is an exceptionally meaningful gem and can make a wonderful gift for anyone at any given point in time.

A Complete List of Birthstones

• January – Garnet and Rose Quartz
• February – Amethyst and Jasper
• March – Aquamarine and Bloodstone
• April – Diamond and Sapphire
• May – Emerald and Agate
• June -Pearl and Alexandrite
• July – Ruby and Onyx
• August – Peridot and Sardonyx
• September – Sapphire and Moonstone
• October – Opal and Pink Tourmaline
• November – Citrine and Topaz
• December – Tanzanite and Turquoise

Did You Know?

• Ancient Romans would often use signet rings with carved garnets to stamp the seal of documents.
• During olden times, many individuals would wear amethysts to prevent themselves from getting drunk.
• Many sailors would wear aquamarines to protect themselves against mermaids and other dangers while at sea.
• Ancient Greeks believed that the diamonds were the tears of the gods.
• The first-ever recorded emerald mines were in Egypt and the stone itself was considered to be a personal favourite of Queen Cleopatra.

What Are the Most Expensive Birthstones Available Today?

Birthstone	Price Per Carat (AAAA Grade)
Diamond	£6,500
Ruby	£4,000
Emerald	£2,400
Blue Sapphire	£2,400
Tanzanite	£800

What Are the Most Expensive Birthstones Available Today?

The top five most valuable birthstones are as follows:

Diamond

Not surprisingly, this jewel is one of the most expensive birthstones available today. Not only has the diamond become the eternal symbol of undying love, but is also an exceptionally strong gem with a rating of 10 on the Mohs scale.

Starting price for 1-carat high-quality diamond: Approximately $8,000

Ruby

Commonly referred to as the ‘King of the Gems,’ the July birthstone is the symbol of love, passion and power. The bold hue of this jewel easily captures attention and is responsible for its ever-growing popularity all over the world. What’s more, the ruby also happens to be extremely sturdy with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Starting price for 1-carat high-quality ruby: Approximately £6,500

Emerald

Next on the list is the birthstone of May, the luxurious emerald.

This precious stone is desired for its gorgeous green hue and incredible brilliance. Additionally, its long-standing association with royalty is another aspect that greatly adds to this gem’s value and demand.

Starting price for 1-carat high-quality emerald: Approximately £2,400

Blue Sapphire

The beauty of the September birthstone undoubtedly lies in its deep saturated blue hue. Such has been the allure of this jewel that it

has almost become the trademark of the rich and famous. If that’s not enough, this gem is also associated with truth, honesty and loyalty, making it a go-to choice for most when picking an engagement ring. Like ruby, the sapphire possesses excellent durability with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale.

Starting price for 1-carat high-quality sapphire: Approximately £2,400

Tanzanite

One of the December birthstones, the tanzanite is most definitely on everyone’s must-have list. This brilliant stone is known for its intense bluish-violet hue and a fascinating tale of origin. It is also incredibly rare, which further makes it a worthwhile possession.

Starting price for 1-carat high-quality tanzanite: Approximately £800

Other Factors That Can Influence a Gemstone’s Value

Cut

It’s interesting to note that the cut of a stone can affect its brilliance. Scintillation and contrast are a must for a gemstone to produce the right combination of optical effects to be brilliant and pleasing to the eye. This is made possible with a well-executed cut, which will eventually increase the gem’s overall value.

Colour

This is one of the most important factors involved in the grading of coloured jewels and directly affects their price. It consists of three aspects:
1) Hue: This is the actual colour of the stone that the eyes first notice; for example, green of the emerald and red of the ruby. Sometimes, the hue of the gemstone is a combination of two colours as seen in tanzanite, which showcases a blend of blue and violet.

2) Saturation: The right amount of saturation can increase the beauty of the jewel, make the colour appear more vibrant and thereby make it more desirable.

3) Tone: Each gemstone has its ideal shade, also known as the colour tone. This particular factor can positively influence the overall look of the jewel.

Clarity

This refers to the presence or lack of inclusions/flaws in a gem. Typically, best-quality gems tend to have excellent clarity, which leads to an increase in the price.

Carat Weight

In the case of most precious jewels, the price goes up considerably once the weight crosses the 1-carat mark. But remember, the colour and gemstone grade are more important factors to be considered before picking a birthstone or any gemstone jewellery.

So, Should You Buy a Birthstone?

Absolutely!
The most wonderful part of life is that everyone is different and what might seem ordinary to one person, can be extremely meaningful to another. This fact is beautifully showcased through birthstone jewellery. Unique to each wearer, these stunners will always make a great gift to yourself or to someone you love.
That’s not all! Each of the above-mentioned gemstones is associated with different wedding anniversary years, making them the perfect gifts for your lovely partner. Keep reading to find out what anniversary years are related to which gem.

• Diamond: 10th, 25th, 31st, 36th, 37th and 60th
• Ruby: 15th and 40th
• Emerald: 20th, 35th and 55th
• Blue Sapphire: 5th, 10th, 45th and 51st
• Tanzanite: 8th, 24th and 26th

Where Can You Buy Your Birthstone From?

Needless to say, Angara is one of the top choices when it comes to semi-precious and precious gemstones. We house some of the most comprehensive collections available today with over 7000 products under our banner. You can find a variety of jewellery designs here ranging from simple solitaires to ornate pieces. And the fun doesn’t stop there!

At our online store, you are presented with the unique ability to customise your stunner as per your requirements, taste and budget. This factor ensures that will you end up with an accessory that you truly adore. What’s more, each piece has been carefully handcrafted with high-quality materials to offer you the best experience. Moreover, you also get a Certificate of Authenticity with every purchase.

We Also Have GIA-Certified Jewellery…

Yes, you read that correctly!

Apart from our regular gems, we also have several birthstones that are specially certified by the GIA.

For the unaware, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is one of the leading authorities on both precious and semi-precious jewels. The organisation works toward protecting jewellery enthusiasts and collectors alike from imitation pieces and they do this by creating and maintaining the standard of gemstone evaluation. The institute is known worldwide for its unbiased gemstone identification and grading process and its certificates contain precise details about the jewel in question. This includes, but is not limited to a full assessment of the 4Cs (cut, clarity, colour and carat weight).

Needless to say, by opting for a GIA Certified birthstone, you can rest assured knowing that your purchase will be 100% authentic.

FAQs

1. Do all months have two birthstones?

No – in most cases, a month will have only one birthstone representing it. That said, you can find a few months, like June for example, which have two birthstones associated with it.

2. Which birthstone is the least expensive?

Generally speaking, the garnet is considered to be the least expensive birthstone. Having said that, do note that this answer can vary depending on the size and overall grade of the gemstone.

3. How do you wear a birthstone?

There is no right or wrong answer here and the same totally depends on your style.