gemsstones?

Question

in pecking order what are the most valuable gemstone.is diamonds first if thats right from their down,thanks

Answer 1

actually some rubies, emeralds or sapphire's can be more valuable than diamonds, depends on the cut, color and clarity....DeBeers just wants you to think diamonds are more valuable...thats because they control 99% of the diamond market.

Answer 2

There are only 4 gems : diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire.
Diamonds are in average more valuable but it depends on their quality. Usually, emeralds and rubies are the second depending the colour and impurities. The emeralds are very often containing impurities but a very clean and nice green emerald can be extremely costly. Finally, the sapphire are presently less valued. All these depends on location and time. In the middle ages, the ruby was much more valuable than diamonds in Europe. To summarize :
Diamonds > Ruby/Emeralds > Sapphire

Answer 3

What are gemstones?
When we speak of gemstones, we usually mean minerals that have been cut and polished. However, over the ages, humans have used a great variety of materials for decoration. Minerals have been cut and polished, and organic materials like coral, pearls, amber and ivory have been fashioned. Small fossils are often set in jewellery. Widespread materials like horn, bone, shells, seeds, even wood abound, as well as made materials like glass and pottery.

Not all minerals are suitable for gemstones. As well as beauty, a mineral must possess hardness and stability, and occur in crystals or masses large enough for cutting. Such material is very rare. Many minerals are small, opaque or easily damaged. Of over 4000 known minerals, only about 100 minerals are ever worked and only about 20 are commonly used in jewellery.

Gemstones are identified by the same scientific methods as minerals. However, since they are beautiful and valuable, no destructive tests that leave a mark on the stone are used. A range of scientific instruments has been devised especially for testing gemstones. People who are qualified to identify gemstones using these instruments are called gemmologists.

Valuing gemstones
Gemstones are valuable because they are a rare and desirable commodity. They also represent time and labour spent on cutting and presentation. Because of their value and portability they have often been used instead of money. Traditionally, their size is given in carats, which is a term of weight (1 carat = 0.2 gram).

A stone's value is determined by its quality and size. This is stated, as a rate per carat. The rate per carat is then multiplied by the actual weight of the stone to give a selling price. Large or special stones have an additional premium value.

The term "semi-precious" is somewhat misleading as it suggests that some gemstones have inferior value. Years ago, most people considered Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire as the "precious" gemstones and all others as "semi-precious."

In truth, all natural colored gemstones are rare and precious and their prices are determined by the availability and quality of the gemstone.

Gemstone Variations:
Amethyst | Ametrine | Aquamarine | Chalcedony | Citrine | Cultured Pearl | Emerald | Garnet | Iolite | Jade | Lapis lazuli | Opal | Ornamental gemstones | Peridot | Phenomenonal gemstones | Ruby | Sapphire | Spinel | Tanzanite | Topaz | Tourmaline | Turquoise | Zircon

Using the YA!:
The most valuable gemstones?
This is a bit complicated answer, however, I can give you a list of a few that would be considered more precious. The thing is, it all depends on the size and carat weights. Here is a list for you:

1) Alexandrite ( Brazilian )- 95% Color Change or Better
2) Demantoid Garnet- 1.00ct size or larger
3) Padparadscha- Rarest Sapphire in Orangy/Pink.
4) Bixbite- Red Beryl ( rarest of all ) 1.00ct sizes and bigger are extremely rare
5) Paraiba ( Copper Bearing Tourmaline )- Rich Color...Brazilian or Nigerian are considered top grade
6) Benitoite- Unique Collector Gem. California State Gemstone
7) Tanzanite- Deep, Rich Color, and Sizes of 8.00ct or larger.

Suprisingly, even though Ruby, Emerald and Sapphires are "Precious Stones", they can be common. It is only the top-grade specimins that are extemely rare.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061213131223AAykqwP

Answer 4

rubies, emeralds or sapphires are the next 3, but I don't know the order.

Answer 5

emeralds,diamonds,rubies,sapphire,opals,pearls,
thats all i can think of.......and all depending on cut and color.

Answer 6

no idea...sorry