The rarest crystals in the world are determined by their scarcity, isolated locality, and mining difficulty. When it comes to healing crystals, it is much more important and significant that crystals are ethically sourced, than to be rare.

But it’s still so special to see the precious rare stones that the Earth creates, even if we don’t have immediate access to them. If you don’t have thousands of dollars or mining gear to get your hands on any of the world’s rarest crystals, I’ve offered you an alternative crystal that reflects its healing properties and appearance.

1. Taaffeite

Rarity: Less than 50 known samples in the world. Consider the rarest crystal of all

Composition: Beryllium, Magnesium, and Aluminum

Where it’s Found: Mainly Sri Lanka and few found in Tanzania

Price: $2500 per carat

Healing Properties: Luck, fortune, turn of events, empowerment

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Rose Quartz, Polished Amethyst

Beginning with the rarest crystal, Taaffeite was discovered in 1945. The deep, stunning pink color enchanted gemologists. Some say the crystal was so breathtaking, scientists have kept it for themselves. However, its rarity is due to the presence of Beryllium. It was initially mistaken as simple spinel until this mineral and double refraction were spotted.

2.  Poudretteite

Rarity: Less than 50 known samples in the world.

Composition: Potassium, Sodium, Boron, and Silicon

Where it’s Found: Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada; and Mogok, Myanmar

Price: Unspecified

Healing Properties: Mental wellness, help anxiety

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Morganite

Discovered in the mid-’60s in Quebec, Poudretteite wasn’t recognized as a new mineral until the late ’80s. It is brittle, glassy, and has barely detectable radioactivity. Its texture is similar to selenite and its color is a unique translucent burnt orange/brown or soft pink.

3. Painite

Rarity: About 1,000 samples have been discovered

Composition: Calcium, Zirconium, Boron, Aluminum, and trace amounts of Chromium and Vanadium

Where it’s Found: Myanmar

Price: $50,000-$60,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Manifesting, success, joy, freedom, abundance

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Ruby

Often misidentified as Ruby, Painite comes from the extremely small region of Mogok in Myanmar. After extensive exploration, fewer than 1,000 samples have been found. The mineral combination within Painite rarely interacts in nature.

4. Grandidierite

Rarity: Only found in Madagascar and Sri Lanka

Composition: Magnesium aluminum borosilicate

Where it’s Found: Madagascar and Sri Lanka, some discovered in New Zealand

Price: $20,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Self-expression, communication, clarity, purpose, intuition

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Amazonite

Madagascar is home to many beautiful crystals, Grandidierite being the rarest. Discovered in 1902, the most obviously unique feature what how it displays three different colors depending on the angle it’s being viewed from– blue-green, clear/yellow, and light (jade) green.

5. Tanzanite

Rarity: Only discovered in one location.

Composition: Calcium, Aluminium, and Hydroxyl sorosilicate

Where it’s Found: Merelani Hills of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania

Price: $600 - $1,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Detox mind and body, boost morale and confidence, opens throat chakras, helps with expression

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Sugilite

Found only in Tanzania, Tanzanite was named by Tiffany & Co. This rare crystal produces a pearly luster and is surprisingly strong. In 2002, it was formally listed as the December birthstone, the first birthstone to change since 1912.

6. Black Opal

Rarity: Only found in Australia

Composition: Hydrated amorphous form of silica

Where it’s Found: Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia

Price: $2,300 per carat

Healing Properties: Strengthen immune system, psychic powers, and protection

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Black Obsidian

Black Opal is surprisingly colorful given its name. Though it doesn’t embody color, it reflects bright oranges, yellows, blues, and reds. Sourced only in NSW, Australia, the price can run steep but it is available for sale and easy to get your hands of if you’re willing to pay a pretty penny.

7. Larimar

Rarity: Only found in the Dominican Republic

Composition: Hydrated sodium calcium silicate with manganese

Where it’s Found: Mountains beyond Baoruco in the Dominican Republic

Price: Unspecified

Healing Properties: Peace, overcome fears, balance yin energy, peace, tranquility, balance throat chakra

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Blue Calcite

Found only in the mountains beyond Baoruco in the Dominican Republic, it’s hard to get your hands on this celestial-looking crystal. Reflecting both sky and sea, Larimar is a frost baby blue with white and grey cavities. But its true beauty and allure lie beyond the surface.

Larimar is a soothing crystal. Its energy can lull you to a state of peace and is known for its calming features. Pulling its energy from both heaven and earth, it works like a gentle, wise teacher--benevolently guiding and healing you to your highest self. Larimar is a great crystal for beginners as its energetic impact goes at your pace.

Discover More About Rare Larimar, Its Healing Properties, and Spiritual Power.

8. Benitoite

Rarity: Found only in California

Composition: Blue barium titanium silicate

Where it’s Found: San Benito County, Northern California

Price: $3,000-$4,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Opens third eye chakra, soothes anxiety, overthinking, and is best used in transition periods of life

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Apatite, Lapis Lazuli

Hailing from California (the state’s official stone!), Benitoite is a beautiful blue and white crystal that looks much like a snow-capped mountain. It is considered a high-frequency stone that can activate all corners of the consciousness.

9. Red Beryl

Rarity: 1 found in every 150,000 diamonds

Composition: Beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate with manganese

Where it’s Found: Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County, Utah; Paramount Canyon and Round Mountain, New Mexico

Price: $10,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Helps promote wisdom, confidence, right timing, opportunities, heals heartache

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Garnet

Also referred to as Bixbite or the red Emerald, though not as expensive and valuable as its green sister crystal, it is exceptionally rarer. This crystal formation requires a unique geochemical environment to form.

It is believed to heal generational wounds and break karmic ties.

10. Alexandrite

Rarity: Large, quality samples are hard to find

Composition: Aluminate of Beryllium

Where it’s Found: The Ural Mountains in Russia; Brazil; India; Madagascar; Tanzania; and Sri Lanka

Price: $70,000 per carat

Healing Properties: Manifestation stone, luck, money, love, general good fortune.

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Amethyst

Unless you’re willing to hike the terrain of the Ural Mountains, you may likely never behold this rare crystal. But if you did, you’d want to rub it like a magic lamp! Alexandrite is believed to be extremely magical bringing the bearer good fortune in the shape of wealth and true love.