# Diamonds Are Rarer Than Emeralds Overall But Finest Emeralds Are More Valuable

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/diamonds-are-rarer-than-emeralds-overall-but-finest-emeralds-are-more-valuable/
- Published: 2023-10-22
- Author: Nelson Ayers
- Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/)

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Diamonds are rarer than emeralds based on worldwide production volumes and natural occurrence rates. However, the finest quality emeralds are even more scarce and valuable than comparable diamond gems. The unique geological factors that produce both diamonds and emeralds make the highest quality specimens incredibly rare and expensive.

## How Diamonds Form and Where They Are Mined

Diamonds crystallize in the earth‘s mantle starting around 90 miles underground at temperatures above 2200°F. Explosive volcanic eruptions bring them closer to the surface in kimberlite pipes. Diamonds make up just 0.001% of the earth‘s crust.

Only around 20% of diamonds mined are suitable for use as gems based on their clarity, color, and size. Gem-quality diamonds are predominantly sourced from:

- Russia – 28% of world production
- Botswana – 23%
- Canada – 13%
- South Africa – 9%

| Country | % of Diamond Production |
| --- | --- |
| Russia | 28% |
| Botswana | 23% |
| Canada | 13% |
| South Africa | 9% |

_"Global natural diamond production totals around 120 million carats per year, with less than 20% of sufficient quality for jewelry,"_ notes Jay Olshon, GIAA Graduate Gemologist.

## Why Large Diamonds Are So Rare

While small diamonds are relatively common, large diamonds over 1 carat are far more scarce:

- Fewer than 0.1% of diamonds unearthed are over 1 carat.
- Only around 1 in 1 million diamonds are over 3 carats.
- There are exponentially fewer diamonds as size increases above 1 carat.

| Diamond Carat Size | Rarity |
| --- | --- |
| 1 carat | 1 in 5,000 |
| 3 carats | 1 in 15,000 |
| 5 carats | 1 in 150,000 |

This extreme rarity of large diamonds makes them so valuable – over $25,000 per carat once they surpass 3 carats in size.

_"Exceptional color and clarity grades in large carat weights elevate prices even further for the rarest diamonds,"_ says master gemologist Carol Clarkson.

## How Emeralds Form and Where They Are Mined

Emeralds form from the mineral beryl that crystallizes in igneous rock veins from hot fluids containing traces of chromium and vanadium. Beryl is relatively common, but the exact combination of elements to produce emerald green color is extremely rare:

- Emeralds make up just 0.0002% of the earth‘s crust, over 20 times rarer than diamonds.
- Only around 20% of beryl mined worldwide has the proper characteristics to qualify as emerald.

The few economically significant emerald deposits are located mainly in:

- Colombia – Responsible for over 60% of worldwide emerald mining
- Zambia – 15% of global production
- Brazil – Major supplier of emerald rough

Due to their highly localized mines, emeralds are far more scarce than widely dispersed diamonds.

## Why Fine Emeralds Are So Valuable

While commercial quality emeralds are affordable, fine emeralds are incredibly rare and expensive:

- Most emerald rough is highly included, fractured, and unsuitable for faceting gemstones.
- Only around 5% of mined emeralds are suitable for fine jewelry.
- Emeralds over 1 carat with top color and clarity are exceptionally scarce.

This results in astronomical prices for fine emerald gems:

| Emerald Quality | Price per Carat |
| --- | --- |
| Commercial Grade | $50-$3,000 |
| Fine Grade | $3,000-$20,000 |
| Investment Grade | $20,000-$50,000+ |

_"A perfect emerald is the rarest item a jeweler will ever see in their lifetime,"_ says master gemologist Benjamin Gordon.

While diamonds have greater worldwide supply, the finest quality emeralds are 20 times rarer than comparable diamonds. This explains why historic emerald gems have achieved over $20 million per carat compared to $3 million per carat records for diamonds of similar caliber.

## Conclusion: It Depends on the Specific Gem in Question

Based on worldwide occurrence and production statistics, diamonds are rarer than emeralds overall. However, the finest emeralds with perfect color and clarity are exponentially rarer than anything but the most exceptional diamonds.

From a geological perspective, the conditions that produce gem-quality emeralds are far more restrictive than diamonds, concentrated in just a few mines worldwide. This results in higher prices for emerald gems, especially at larger sizes with vivid color and perfect clarity.

Both diamonds and emeralds remainsymbols of lasting value and rarity. Yet the rarest gems from either species – a flawless 10 carat diamond or a perfect 5 carat Colombian emerald – stand in a league of their own as the most desirable and expensive gems in the world.

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Source: [Diamonds Are Rarer Than Emeralds Overall But Finest Emeralds Are More Valuable](https://33rdsquare.com/diamonds-are-rarer-than-emeralds-overall-but-finest-emeralds-are-more-valuable/)