World's rarest gemstone: What it looks like and its cost
What is known about the rarest and most expensive gemstone in the world (Collage by RBC-Ukraine)
The rarest gemstone in the world is considered to be a transparent mineral of reddish-orange color, of which only one specimen has been found throughout history. It is regarded as a sensation for geologists and collectors, according to IFL Science.
Unique in its kind, the rarest gemstone in the world is called kyawthuite. The unique specimen is currently housed in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Where it came from and its characteristics
Kyawthuite was discovered in Myanmar in 2015. The unknown mineral was sent for research, and after studying its chemical composition and properties, it was officially recognized by the International Mineralogical Association as a new mineral.
The sample was cut into a gemstone weighing 1.61 carats for further studies. Kyawthuite has an asymmetrical structure and a Mohs hardness of 5.5.
It formed deep underground in a pegmatite — an igneous rock. Its chemical formula is Bi³⁺Sb⁵⁺O₄ with traces of tantalum.
The rarest mineral in the world is kyawthuite (Photo: Wikipedia)
Why it is so rare
The main components of kyawthuite are bismuth and antimony. These are metals that, while not commonly found, are not unique. Scientists believe that the rarity of kyawthuite is related to the unique conditions of its formation, which occurred in fact only in one place on Earth.
It is worth noting that Myanmar is a site for many rare mineral discoveries. For example, jadeite is the hardest natural mineral, and painite is the second-rarest mineral in the world.
The rarest mineral in the world is kyawthuite (Photo: mindat)
Cost of kyawthuite
The cost of the new rarest mineral in the world remains a mystery. However, its predecessor, which was listed in the Guinness World Records as the rarest mineral on Earth — painite — costs around $60,000 per carat.
After 2005, painite was found more frequently, but its quantity in the world remains insignificant. It is very difficult to find, although recently painite has been used to create expensive jewelry.
The second-rarest mineral in the world is painite (Photo: Wikipedia)
