Birthstone jewelry carries a unique charm and personal meaning, as each gemstone represents the month in which a person was born. From January to December, every month is linked to a specific birthstone, believed to bring luck, protection, and positive energy to its wearer.
These gemstones are not only admired for their beauty but also cherished as a symbol of identity and sentiment. Naturally, the value of birthstones can vary greatly. In this guide, we’ll reveal the ranking of the most valuable birthstones—from the rarest and most expensive to the most affordable options you can choose.
What Are the Most Expensive Birthstones?
The three most expensive birthstones in the world are diamond, ruby, and emerald—often referred to as precious stones due to their exceptional rarity, beauty, and value.
Diamond – April’s Birthstone
Diamond holds the crown as the most valuable birthstone and the hardest natural material found on Earth. Composed entirely of pure carbon, this April birthstone is celebrated for its unmatched sparkle, brilliance, and durability, as well as its remarkably high refractive index. Loved for centuries, diamonds have become the ultimate symbol of eternal love, strength, invincibility, and purity, making them one of the most desired gemstones in the world.
Ruby — July’s Birthstone
Renowned for its rich, vivid red hue, ruby owes its striking color to the presence of chromium. As the birthstone for July, it ranks as the second-hardest gemstone after diamond. High-quality rubies are prized for their transparency and minimal inclusions, ensuring exceptional clarity. Symbolizing passion, love, vitality, energy, courage, and protection, this captivating gem has been treasured for centuries.
Emerald: The Birthstone of May
Renowned for its deep, lush green hue, the emerald owes its captivating color to the presence of chromium and vanadium. As May’s birthstone, it is often found with natural inclusions, known as Jardin, which enhance its individuality and charm. Emeralds are traditionally associated with rebirth, renewal, wisdom, patience, love, and unwavering fidelity.
Sapphire: September’s Birthstone
Celebrated for its striking deep blue hue, the sapphire—September’s birthstone—also occurs in a variety of other colors, with the exception of red. Red sapphires are classified as rubies. This precious gem is a timeless symbol of wisdom, nobility, protection, spiritual clarity, loyalty, and trust.
Next-Level Birthstones
Following the four precious gemstones, the next tier of valued birthstones includes alexandrite, aquamarine, peridot, and garnet. Often referred to as “semi-precious gemstones,” they typically range in value from $400 to $3,000 per carat.
Alexandrite – June’s birthstone – is admired for its extraordinary color-changing ability, appearing vivid green in daylight and shifting to a rich red under incandescent light. It is regarded as a symbol of balance, creativity, and self-esteem.
Aquamarine – March’s birthstone – is treasured for its captivating blue-to-green hues, reminiscent of the serene beauty of the sea. This gemstone is often associated with tranquility, courage, and mental clarity.
Peridot – August’s birthstone – is unique among gemstones for being found exclusively in its vibrant lime-green hue. It is cherished as a symbol of strength, protection, and healing.
Garnet – January’s birthstone – comes in a variety of colors, including green, orange, pink, and even rare shades like purple, though its rich, deep red remains the most iconic and sought-after. Known for its captivating luster and timeless appeal, garnet has been cherished throughout history as a talisman for vitality and protection. It is widely associated with passion, energy, and good health, believed to inspire love, boost confidence, and promote overall well-being.
What are the cheapest birthstones?
Topaz:December’s chill is warmed by topaz, a gem that whispers tales of love through ocean-blue depths, morning-yellow warmth, cherry-blossom pink tenderness, and spring-water clarity. It is a symbol of loyalty in love, devotion in friendship, and resilience in spirit.
Tourmaline:October’s whispering winds carry the secrets of tourmaline: pink like a first blush of rose, green as forest streams, and bi-color wonders where love and hope entwine. A muse for creators, a token of true love, and a balm for the soul.
Amethyst: February’s crown jewel, amethyst has transitioned from Victorian mourning adornments to modern meditation talismans, always embodying humanity’s quest for tranquility and transcendence. Its royal purple hue—crafted by iron impurities and natural radiation over millennia—remains Mother Earth’s gift for soul healing.
Citrine: This is November’s birthstone. It’s available in yellow and orange. Its warm hues make it a popular choice worth considering. Citrine symbolizes joy, abundance, and prosperity.
Most Expensive Birthstones Ranking - Birthstones Ranking by Value
Below is a list of the most expensive birthstones sorted by price, including price per carat and birth month. This ranking of birthstones by price can help you choose a gem that suits your style and budget.
| No. | Birthstone | Price per carat | Birth Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond | $3000-$11000 | April |
| 2 | Ruby | $3000-$10000 | July |
| 3 | Emerald | $3000-$7000 | May |
| 4 | Sapphire | $1000-$3500 | September |
| 5 | Alexandrite | $2500-$3000 | June |
| 6 | Aquamarine | $800-$1000 | March |
| 7 | Peridot | $400-$650 | August |
| 8 | Garnet | $500-$600 | January |
| 9 | Blue Topaz | $100-$400 | December |
| 10 | Tourmaline | $100-$400 | October |
| 11 | Amethyst | $50-$90 | February |
| 12 | Citrine | $10-$50 | November |
NOTE: The value of birthstones depends on many factors, so the price per carat above is a loose and estimated figure.
What are the three rarest birthstones?
The three rarest gemstones among the 12 birthstones mentioned above are diamond, ruby and emerald. These gemstones are very difficult to find and therefore have a higher price.
What is the most powerful birthstone?
Hardness and durability are crucial—they directly impact the lifespan of your birthstone jewelry. The Mohs hardness scale measures the hardness of gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Here are the five hardest birthstones, known for their scratch resistance and long-lasting sparkle:
The five hardest birthstones
Hardness and durability are paramount in determining the lifespan of birthstone jewelry. The Mohs scale rates mineral hardness from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), with diamonds at the pinnacle. Here are the top 5 hardest birthstones renowned for their scratch resistance and enduring brilliance.
The five weakest birthstones
Birthstones with lower hardness (Mohs <7) require careful wear to prevent surface abrasion. We recommend protective settings like bezel or prong mounts, or positioning them as pendants/ring inner stones—where their rarity can be preserved for generations.
How much does a birthstone cost?
Birthstone valuation adheres to the gemological 4C framework: Color Intensity dictates visual impact, Cut Proportion governs light performance, Clarity Grade reflects internal inclusion distribution, and Carat Weight correlates with rarity. For instance, a 1-carat D-color FL-clarity diamond commands 400-600% the price of its 0.5-carat counterpart with identical qualities.
Color
Color valuation in birthstones adheres to a 3D parameter system:
- Hue: The dominant spectral color (ROYGBIV). Pure hues (e.g., Burmese pigeon’s blood red, Kashmir cornflower blue) command 300-800% premiums due to precise chromophore alignment.
- Tone: Measured on a 0%（colorless)-100%(black) scale. Optimal range (40-70%, e.g., Colombian emerald’s “Emerald Green” standard) deviations cause exponential value decay.
- Saturation: Ranges from “grayish” (low) to “vivid” (high) across 11 grades. “Vivid” gems (e.g., Paraíba tourmaline’s neon blue) fetch 500-1,200% more per carat than “strong” counterparts.
Cut
Post-2025, these innovations will redefine cutting standards:
- AI Light Path Simulation: Quantum computing predicts reflection trajectories for cutting angles
- Nano-Engraved Facets: Microstructures etched onto surfaces to enhance specific wavelength reflections
- Adaptive Cutting Robots: Force-feedback arms enable 0.001mm dynamic adjustments
- Blockchain Cutting Archives: NFTs document complete parameter chains from rough to finished stone
Post-2025, these innovations will redefine cutting standards:
- AI Light Path Simulation: Quantum computing predicts reflection trajectories for cutting angles
- Nano-Engraved Facets: Microstructures etched onto surfaces to enhance specific wavelength reflections
- Adaptive Cutting Robots: Force-feedback arms enable 0.001mm dynamic adjustments
- Blockchain Cutting Archives: NFTs document complete parameter chains from rough to finished stone
Clarity
Post-2025, clarity evaluation will enter the ‘nanoscale transparency era’:
- Quantum Imaging: Photon entanglement detects 0.1nm-scale inclusions
- AI Inclusion Atlas: Deep learning models identify inclusion types/ages (error margin <50,000 years)
- Blockchain Clarity Archives: NFTs document complete inclusion evolution from mine to market
Cutting-Edge Cases:
- De Beers’ ‘SynthDetect’: Differentiates natural diamond healed fractures from lab-grown metal flux residues
- GIA’s ‘Photon Clarity Scanner’: Maps inclusion chemistry via Raman spectroscopy to detect treatment traces
Carat
Post-2030, carat evaluation will enter the ‘3D precision era’:
- Quantum Weighing: Photon mass measurement achieves 0.0001ct precision (vs. traditional ±0.005ct)
- AI Rough Simulation: Deep learning optimizes cutting plans, boosting yield by 8-12%
- Example: 100ct emerald rough:
- Traditional cut: 45ct finished
- AI-optimized: 50.4ct (+12% weight)
- Example: 100ct emerald rough:
- Blockchain Carat Archives: NFTs document complete weight evolution from mine to market
How to choose the right birthstone jewelry?
Whether you’re a jewelry brand or a jewelry enthusiast, certain factors influence the choice of birthstone jewelry. They are:
For jewelry business
Risk Mitigation Framework
- Gem Supply Security:
- Burmese ruby: 3-year stockpile (due to 2023 military regulations)
- Colombian emerald: Invest in downstream processing (secure 20% output)
- Alternatives:
- Ruby: Mozambique Montepuez (90% color match to Burma)
- Emerald: Zambian Kagem (30% cleaner than Colombian)
- Metal Price Hedging:
- Gold: 60% locked via LBMA quarterly contracts
- Platinum: Hedge through NYMEX futures
- Silver: Maintain recycled silver inventory (18% cost saving)
- QC Thresholds:
- Clarity minimums:
- Diamond: SI1 (eye-clean)
- Colored stones: SI2 (minor inclusions at 10×)
- Cut minimums:
- Round diamonds: EX (3EX cut)
- Fancy shapes: VG (polish/symmetry ≥Good)
- Clarity minimums:
For jewelry lovers
Personal style and preferences
There are at least 12 series of birthstones to choose from. Ordinarily, you might choose the one that represents your birth month. But you can make a selection from others depending on your style and preference. For example, you can choose peridot because of its one color uniqueness (lime green) or tourmaline because of its variety of colors. You can also make selections based on the birthstone’s properties.
Budget
Another crucial factor that determines the birthstone to choose as a jewelry lover is your budget. Gemstones are priced differently. Some are expensive while others are cheaper. Examples of expensive stones are diamonds, ruby, emerald, and sapphire. The least expensive birthstones are topaz, tourmaline, amethyst, and citrine.
Key Takeaway
There are gemstones for each birth month, and each symbolizes different good fortunes. However, their prices are different. In this post, we’ve discussed the most valuable and expensive birthstones in order, and the cheapest birthstones available. Now, you can make an informed decision on which to choose either as a jewelry business or a jewelry lover.
FAQs
The three most valuable birthstones are Diamond (April), Alexandrite (June), and Ruby (July). Their prices vary significantly based on factors such as carat weight, clarity, color quality, and geographic origin. In the high-end market, exceptional specimens of these gemstones can reach from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per carat, especially when they exhibit rare color saturation and top-grade clarity.
Alexandrite (June) and Tanzanite (December) are widely regarded as the rarest birthstones.
Their extreme scarcity and unique optical properties make them highly sought after in the gemstone world.
Alexandrite is famous for its remarkable color-changing effect—appearing emerald green in daylight and shifting to deep red under incandescent light. High-quality natural alexandrite is exceptionally rare, and fine specimens can command prices exceeding those of traditional diamonds.
Tanzanite is prized for its vivid violet-blue hue and extreme geographic exclusivity. It is found in only one known source worldwide—a small 7-square-kilometer mining area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This limited origin makes it roughly 1,000 times rarer than diamond, with geological estimates suggesting that reserves may eventually be depleted.
The Pink Star Diamond is widely recognized as the most expensive gemstone ever sold. This 59.60-carat fancy vivid pink diamond achieved a record-breaking auction price of $71.2 million in 2017.
In general, the highest-valued gemstones are large fancy-colored diamonds—especially pink, blue, and orange varieties—due to their extreme rarity and strong collector demand. They are typically followed by other exceptional gemstones such as fine rubies and top-grade alexandrite, both of which can reach extremely high prices when color, clarity, and size align at the highest quality level.
The most affordable birthstones include Amethyst (February), Citrine (November), Garnet (January), and Peridot (August). These gemstones are relatively abundant—many being quartz or silicate minerals—making them widely available and easy to source.
As a result, high-quality loose stones and simple jewelry pieces are often very budget-friendly, typically ranging from just a few dollars to a few dozen dollars per carat, depending on size, cut, and clarity.
