What Is the Most Expensive Birthstone? All Birthstones Ranked by Price

What Is the Most Expensive Birthstone? All Birthstones Ranked by Price

Diamond is April's birthstone and one of the most expensive. A fine one-carat natural diamond can cost $3,500 to $15,000, while rare pink and blue diamonds can sell for over $5 million per carat. Other valuable birthstones include alexandrite (June), ruby (July), emerald (May), and sapphire (September).

However, top-quality rubies, alexandrites, and emeralds can cost more per carat than white diamonds. The price depends on the stone's quality and rarity.

Below, we rank all birthstones by price, with estimated price ranges, the most expensive birthstone month, and affordable alternatives.

The 5 Most Expensive Birthstones

1. Diamond (April): 15,000 per carat for fine white diamonds. Rare colors can cost millions.

2. Alexandrite (June): 15,000 per carat, with top-quality stones reaching $70,000 or more.

3. Ruby (July): 15,000 per carat. The finest Burmese rubies can sell for over $1 million.

4. Emerald (May): 8,000 per carat, with top Colombian stones reaching $300,000.

5. Sapphire (September): 5,000 per carat. Fine, unheated Kashmir sapphires can exceed $50,000.

How We Ranked These Birthstones

Gemstone prices vary, so online price charts are only estimates. Here's how we calculated ours:

●       Natural stones only: Lab-grown stones are covered separately because they're much cheaper.

●       Around 1 carat, fine quality: Good color, few visible flaws, and a good cut. These are quality stones, not museum pieces or low-grade gems.

●       US retail prices for 2026: Wholesale prices are lower, while auction prices can be much higher.

●       Two price ranges: One for fine-quality stones and another for the rarest, top-quality examples.

Birthstone Price Chart: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

The Most Expensive Birthstones in Order (Explained)

1. Diamond (April)

Diamond ranks first for two reasons. Good-quality natural diamonds are already expensive, and rare colored diamonds can sell for millions.

A one-carat natural diamond with G–H color, VS clarity, and an excellent cut typically costs 8,000. Flawless D-color diamonds can cost two or three times more.

Rare pink diamonds sell for even higher prices. The 59.60-carat Pink Star sold for $71.2 million in 2017, while the Williamson Pink Star sold for about $57.7 million in 2022.

Natural diamond prices have fallen in recent years due to competition from lab-grown diamonds. However, the rarest diamonds continue to command high prices.

2. Alexandrite (June)

Alexandrite is so rare that even diamonds can seem common in comparison. It changes from green in daylight to red or purplish-red under warm light. It was discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s and named after Tsar Alexander II. Most of the original Russian deposits are now depleted.

Many alexandrites on the market are small, have weak color changes, or are lab-grown. Fine natural stones over one carat with a strong color change are extremely rare. They can cost more per carat than diamonds of the same size, which is why alexandrite ranks second on this list.

3. Ruby (July)

Ruby holds the record for some of the highest prices paid per carat for a colored gemstone. The 25.59-carat Sunrise Ruby sold for $30.3 million in 2015, while the 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura sold for $34.8 million in 2023.

The most valuable rubies have a bright red color known as "pigeon's blood." Origin also affects price, with Burmese rubies often costing more. Most rubies are heat-treated, but untreated stones with a lab report can be worth several times more than similar treated stones.

4. Emerald (May)

Most emeralds have natural inclusions known as jardin, meaning "garden" in French. A clear, bright green emerald is rare, so buyers usually focus on color rather than perfect clarity.

Colombian emeralds, especially those from the Muzo and Chivor mines, are highly valued. The 18.04-carat Rockefeller Emerald sold for $5.5 million in 2017, setting a record at the time.

Most emeralds are treated with oil to hide the appearance of natural fractures. This is common practice, but stones with little or no oil treatment are more valuable.

5. Sapphire (September)

Sapphire and ruby are both forms of corundum. Small amounts of iron and titanium give blue sapphire its color. Heated blue sapphires are relatively affordable, with beautiful one-carat stones often costing 3,000.

Rare sapphires can cost much more. Unheated Kashmir sapphires are prized for their velvety blue color and can sell for 150,000 or more per carat. Padparadscha sapphires, known for their pink-orange color, are also highly valued.

One famous example is the 392.52-carat Blue Belle of Asia, which sold for $17.3 million in 2014.

6. Opal (October), Black Opal Specifically

Most opals are affordable, but black opals are much more expensive. They're mainly found in Lightning Ridge, Australia. Their dark background makes the flashes of color stand out. Stones with bright red flashes across the surface are especially valuable. Fine black opals can cost 10,000 per carat, while exceptional stones can sell for much more.

7. Spinel (August)

Spinel became an official August birthstone in 2016 and was often mistaken for ruby in the past. The famous Black Prince's Ruby in Britain's Imperial State Crown is actually a red spinel.

Today, vivid red and cobalt-blue spinels are highly valued and can rival fine rubies and sapphires in price. Pink and lavender spinels are more common and affordable.

8. Tanzanite (December)

Tanzanite is found in only one place in the world: the Merelani Hills in Tanzania. Discovered in 1967, it was introduced by Tiffany & Co. the following year. Its blue-violet color makes it stand out, and most stones are heat-treated to enhance it.

It's the most expensive December birthstone. However, its hardness of 6–7 makes it more suitable for earrings and pendants than everyday rings.

9. Aquamarine (March)

Aquamarine is known for its clear, bright blue color and often comes in larger sizes. Deeper blue stones are more valuable, especially the rare "Santa Maria" shade named after a Brazilian mine. Most aquamarines have few visible flaws, so color plays the biggest role in their price.

10. Tourmaline (October)

Regular pink and green tourmalines are affordable, but Paraíba tourmaline is extremely expensive. Discovered in Brazil in the late 1980s, it gets its bright neon blue-green color from copper. Fine Brazilian stones can cost over $50,000 per carat. Similar stones from Mozambique and Nigeria are cheaper but still valuable.

The Rest of the Birthstones, Ranked

11. Pearl (June): Pearls are priced by size, shine, shape, and how well they match. Cultured Akoya pearls can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, while South Sea pearls are more expensive. Natural pearls are extremely rare and can sell for millions.

12. Garnet (January): Red garnet is affordable, usually costing 150 per carat. Rare green varieties like Russian demantoid and tsavorite can cost thousands per carat.

13. Topaz (November): Imperial topaz, with its golden-orange to pinkish color, is the most valuable variety. Most other topaz is affordable.

14. Zircon (December): Natural zircon has excellent sparkle and is different from cubic zirconia. Blue zircon is the most popular and is usually heat-treated.

15. Moonstone (June): Most moonstone is affordable, but clear stones with a strong blue glow, especially from Sri Lanka, cost more.

16. Peridot (August): This bright green gemstone is generally affordable. Large, deep-green stones from Pakistan are more valuable.

17. Amethyst (February): Once considered as valuable as ruby and emerald, amethyst is now affordable because large deposits were discovered in Brazil. Deep purple stones are more valuable.

18. Citrine (November): Citrine is a warm, golden gemstone that is usually inexpensive. Much of the citrine sold today is heat-treated amethyst.

19. Blue Topaz (December): Most blue topaz is treated to achieve its color. Popular shades like London Blue and Swiss Blue are widely available and affordable.

20. Turquoise (December): Turquoise is usually sold in larger pieces, keeping its price per carat relatively low. Natural, untreated turquoise from well-known American mines is more collectible, while much of the market is stabilized.

When Other Birthstones Beat a Diamond

Diamond is the most expensive birthstone overall, but some rare colored gemstones can cost more per carat than a regular white diamond.

A top-quality ruby can cost more per carat than a regular white diamond, but rare diamonds can reach even higher prices. That's why diamond remains the most expensive birthstone overall, making April its month.

The Most Expensive Birthstone for Each Month

Many months have more than one birthstone. Here's the priciest option for each, based on the official US birthstone list from the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America.

The most expensive birthstone month is April, thanks to diamond. June comes second, because it includes both alexandrite and pearl.

The Least Expensive Birthstones

If you want real color without a big price tag, these are your best options:

●       Citrine (November): Often under $40 per carat

●       Amethyst (February): Rich purple for $10 to $60 per carat

●       Blue Topaz (December): Bright blue, very durable, and inexpensive

●       Turquoise (December): Affordable, especially in stabilized form

●       Garnet (January): Classic red garnet offers deep color at a low price

●       Peridot (August): Vivid green for well under $500 per carat

What Makes a Birthstone Expensive?

Two gemstones of the same type can have very different prices. Here are the main reasons:

Color: Color is the biggest factor for colored gemstones. Bright, rich, evenly distributed colors are usually more valuable.

Rarity and origin: A stone's origin can affect its price. Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds, and Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines often cost more when their origin is confirmed by a lab.

Treatment: Many gemstones are treated to improve their appearance. This is normal when disclosed, but untreated stones are rarer and usually more expensive.

Size: Larger, high-quality stones are harder to find. A two-carat ruby can cost much more than twice the price of a similar one-carat ruby.

Clarity and cut: Stones with fewer visible flaws often cost more, although inclusions are common in emeralds. A good cut improves a gemstone's color and sparkle.

Certification: For expensive stones, ask for a report from an independent lab such as GIA. It can help confirm whether the stone is natural, identify treatments, and sometimes verify its origin.

Natural vs. Lab-Created Birthstones: The Price Difference

Lab-created stones have the same chemistry, hardness and look as natural stones. The difference is where they were formed, and that shows up in the price:

●       Lab-grown diamond: Often 80–90% less than a comparable natural diamond

●       Lab ruby and lab sapphire: Usually tens to a few hundred dollars per carat, versus thousands for natural

●       Lab emerald: Clean, vivid green for a small fraction of natural prices

●       Lab alexandrite: Shows a real color change for hundreds of dollars instead of thousands

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive birthstone?
Diamond (April) is generally considered the most expensive birthstone. Fine one-carat natural diamonds can cost 15,000, while rare colored diamonds can sell for millions per carat.

What are the three most expensive birthstones?
Diamond (April), alexandrite (June), and ruby (July) are among the most expensive. Fine natural alexandrite is extremely rare, while top-quality rubies can command very high prices.

Which birthstone month is the most expensive?
April, because of diamond. June is another expensive month because it includes alexandrite and pearl.

What is the rarest birthstone?
Natural alexandrite is considered one of the rarest birthstones. Paraíba tourmaline is also extremely rare. However, rarity doesn't always mean a higher price.

What is the cheapest birthstone?
Citrine (November), amethyst (February), blue topaz (December), and turquoise (December) are generally affordable options.

Can a ruby cost more than a diamond?
Yes. A top-quality, untreated Burmese ruby can cost more per carat than a white diamond. The Sunrise Ruby sold for over $1 million per carat.

What is the most expensive December birthstone?
Tanzanite is generally the most expensive among the traditional December birthstones. Zircon, turquoise, and blue topaz are usually more affordable.

Are birthstones a good investment?
Usually not. Rare, certified gemstones may hold their value, but resale can be difficult. It's better to buy a birthstone for its beauty and personal meaning.

Final Thoughts

Diamond is generally the most expensive birthstone, making April one of the costliest months in terms of gemstones. However, fine alexandrite, ruby, and emerald can sometimes cost more per carat than white diamonds.

Every birthstone has options for different budgets. You can choose a rare natural gem, a lab-grown stone, or an affordable gemstone set in sterling silver. What matters most is finding one you love.