What would you say when I ask which gemstone is the prettiest? Most will probably say diamond, ruby or sapphire.
But I’m going to show you some of the most beautiful gemstones that you may not know.
This list combines commonly known gems, like opal and amethyst, with some rare and exotic minerals. They represent some of nature’s best creations, and will definitely make you go WOW!
Wulfenite & Mimetite
Vibrant golden yellow wulfenite crystals growing with mimetite.
Silver
Naturally formed silver “tree”
Hercynite
Iris Agate
Tourmaline with Lepidolite
Aquamarine
This piece is appropriately named “The Helix”.
Rutile
Hessonite Garnet
Ammonite
Ammonite is a rare fossil shell that shows rainbow color iridescent reflection.
Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla is a blue-green mineral, often found with other copper-rich minerals such as malachite and azurite. And this beautiful piece shows a combination of chrysocolla and malachite.
Opal
Red Beryl
Red beryl is one of the rarest gems in the world, much rarer than its mineral family members, emerald and aquamarine. A red beryl gem can cost $10,000 per carat!
Emerald
Limonite after Marcasite
Haüyne
Gold
Purple Fluorite with Calcite
Moldavite
Chrome Tourmaline (Dravite)
Anglesite
Ruby Zoisite
Euclase on Calcite
Rainbow Obsidian
Obsidian is actually a volcanic glass, forming when lava cools quickly. The stone color is black and it has colorful reflections.
Rainbow obsidian and golden obsidian are very desirable as they produce a rainbow-colored and gold-colored sheen respectively, caused by microscopic inclusions of crystals, gas or debris.
Dumortierite in Quartz
Osmium
Welo Opal
Rainbow. Color. Opal. It’s like a universe inside!
Rainbow Fluorite
Fluorite is a colorful gemstone. And multi-color fluorite like this has always been a collector’s favorite.
While a fluorite specimen like this is very expensive, a colorful natural fluorite bracelet is affordable.
Pietersite
Unknown Source
The fibrous swirls of blue and orange are some of the most beautiful artworks from nature. The effect you see in pietersite is known as chatoyance, which also happens in gems like tiger’s eye.
Goethite
Quartz with Hematite, Papagoite, Ajoite and Kaolinite
Fulgurite
Unknown Source
White lightning trapped inside gemstone ⚡⚡⚡
Chalcanthite
A wave perfectly kept in time, just in the form of mineral!
Dendritic Agate
Unknown Source
Also known as landscape agate, the tree-/fern-like structure is caused by iron oxide and other materials. Very intriguing and inspiring gemstone.
Fluorite with Schorl
Little needles of schorl (a type of tourmaline) inside the purple fluorite.
Amethyst Scepter
Amethyst is one of the classic gemstones. And this scepter amethyst is breathtakingly beautiful.
Petrified Wood
When minerals replace the structure of wood over millions of years, a piece of petrified wood is born. A petrified wood bracelet is a great way to wear this beautiful gem.
Opal with an “Ocean” Inside
Watermelon Tourmaline
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Layers of red and green resemble the colors of watermelon. Hence the name, watermelon tourmaline.
Iridescent Ammonite Shell
Ammolite, which is made from the ammonite shell, is growing in popularity in the gemstone market.
Charoite
🎨 Charoite is like silver paint strokes on a purple canvas.
Rainbow Opal
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The colors of opal sparkle and shine like no other gem.
Golden Rutilated Quartz
Not only are the needle-like rutiles thin and delicate, they are in this rare star-shape arrangement!
Multicolor Labradorite
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This effect of iridescent color-play is called a ‘schiller’ effect. The range of color labradorite can display is truly amazing.
Unearthed Gemstones has high quality labradorite which you can check out here.
Smithsonite
Blue Azurite Flower
New Valentine’s Day gift idea?
Faceted Ametrine
Half Amethyst + Half Citrine = Ametrine
Blue Green Tourmaline
Crazy Lace Agate
Unknown Source
Gold Fan-Shaped Cacoxenite
