
The quality of a ruby is determined by its color, cut, and clarity, which, along with carat weight, affect its value. Ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gems, alongside amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. RubiesĪ ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminum oxide). We researched to find the 5 most expensive minerals in the world, and this is what we found. Precious metals and gemstones all fall under the mineral category, but it might surprise you to learn which are of the highest value currently.

It’s worth a hefty sum, but there are actually four others that fetch a higher price. While it’s the popular belief that hunting for gold yields the greatest potential for striking it rich, gold is not the most expensive mineral in the world. One jadeite jewelry item sold at auction for the astounding price of $9.3 million in the late 1990s. In ancient times, Jadeite was used to make axe heads as well as for jewelry.

Jadeite is found within the precious mineral gemstone Jade. Jadeite gemstones range in a variety of green colors, some with greenish white hues, and others are white with green spots.Įach stone is unique, yet unmistakably Jadeite. What makes this mineral so expensive is its rarity and its beauty. The most expensive mineral in the world is Jadeite, coming in at a whopping $3 million per carat.
