Khaberni - Russian industrial expert Leonid Khazanov revealed a list of the most precious gemstones in the world that collectors and precious stone traders compete to acquire, often surpassing the value of diamonds.
In an interview with "Novosti" agency, Khazanov stated that among these gems, the most notable are Kashmiri blue sapphire and blue granite from Madagascar — highlighting that "the rarity of these stones and the difficulty of their extraction make them a real target for lovers of rarity and value".
Khazanov explained that the factors determining the price of a gemstone include: the availability of mines, the size of the stone, the rarity of the extraction processes, as well as its optical quality.
He added: "Due to the scarcity of sapphire, emerald, and sapphire mines compared to kimberlite pipes from which diamonds are mined, the production of these stones is much less, often making them more expensive than diamonds themselves — even comparing to some types of ruby (red sapphire) and emerald".
The expert mentioned that the real value of any gemstone is determined by precise factors, including: size and mass, presence of internal flaws (such as cracks or bubbles), color grade and purity, degree of transparency, and the precision of cutting or carving.
Among the varieties of sapphire, Kashmiri Sapphire is the most demanded and the most expensive. This stone is distinguished by its soft blue color tending towards silky sky blue - caused by the presence of fine impurities of the mineral rutile. However, Khazanov noted that Kashmir mines have ceased production for decades, making any piece from them appearing on the market a source of fierce competition among major collectors and traders.
He also noted that blue granite from Madagascar is considered very rare, rarely seen in jewel pieces. With its supplies diminishing in the market, its value is expected to significantly increase in the coming years.
