12 of the Rarest Minerals on Earth
Painite: Painite is a borate mineral that was once considered the rarest mineral in the world.It has a brownish-red color and a unique hexagonal crystal structure.
Jadeite: Jadeite is one of the two minerals known as jade, and it is the rarer and more valuable of the two. It is a pyroxene mineral that comes in various shades of green.
Serendibite: Serendibite is an extremely rare borosilicate mineral that was first discovered in Sri Lanka. It typically appears in shades of green,blue or black.
Grandidierite: Grandidierite is a blue-green mineral that was first discovered in Madagascar. It is notable for its rarity and its strong pleochroism.
Taaffeite: Taaffeite is a gemstone that was initially mistaken for spinel until it was recognized as a distinct mineral. It is exceptionally rare and is primarily found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Alexandrite: Alexandrite is a color-changing variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. It is known for its remarkable ability to exhibit different colors under different lighting conditions.
Red Beryl (Bixbite): Red beryl, also known as bixbite, is a rare red gemstone. It is found in a few locations worldwide, with the most significant deposits located in the United States.
Musgravite: Musgravite is a member of the taaffeite family and is considered one of the rarest gemstones in the world. It was first discovered in the Musgrave Ranges of South Australia.
Blue Garnet:It is a rare variety of garnet that can change color from blue-green in daylight to purplish-red under incandescent light.It's scarcity contribute to its high value.
Jeremejevite: Jeremejevite is a rare aluminum borate mineral that was first discovered in Siberia. It typically occurs in shades of blue and is highly prized by collectors.
Poudretteite: Poudretteite is a rare pink mineral that was first discovered in Quebec, Canada. It is named after the Poudrette family, who owned the quarry where it was found.
Cobaltite: Cobaltite is a rare sulfide mineral that contains cobalt, arsenic, and sulfur. It typically appears in shades of silver-gray with a metallic luster.