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 10 rarest gemstones, I’ve offered you an alternative crystal that reflects its healing properties and appearance.

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

Taaffeite, distinguished by its rarity and exquisite beauty, is one of the rarest gemstones known to gemologists. Its composition sets it apart: a magnesium aluminum oxide with the chemical formula BeAl33O1212, Taaffeite differs significantly from more common gemstones due to the presence of beryllium. Initially mistaken for spinel due to its similar appearance,

Taaffeite's uniqueness was recognized when a gemstone collector, Richard Taaffe, discovered a previously unidentified gem in a Dublin jeweler's shop in 1945, marking the first known gemstone to be identified from a faceted stone rather than a rough specimen. Its rarity is further underscored by its limited geographical distribution, primarily found in Sri Lanka and Tanzania, with only a few specimens known to exist worldwide. This scarcity, combined with its distinct crystal structure and the fact that it often exhibits pleochroism—showing different colors when viewed from different angles—makes Taaffeite highly prized among collectors and gemologists. 

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Rose Quartz, Polished Amethyst

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

Discovered in the mid-’60s in Quebec, Poudretteite wasn’t recognized as a new mineral until the late ’80s. 

Poudretteite is a rare, borate mineral and gemstone. It's a member of the osumilite group of minerals, which also includes milarite, sugilite, and sogdianite. 

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.

It is among the most sought-after gemstones in the gemological community. This gemstone's formula, \(KNa_2B_3Si_{12}O_{30}\), highlights its complex borosilicate makeup, incorporating potassium, sodium, and boron, which contribute to its distinctiveness. First identified in the 1960s at the Poudrette Quarry in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec—named after the quarry-operating Poudrette family—Poudretteite's discovery marked a significant addition to the world of rare minerals.


The rarity of Poudretteite cannot be overstated, with only a handful of high-quality specimens known to exist, primarily sourced from its original Canadian locale and select sites in Myanmar. Its allure is not just in its scarcity but also in its aesthetic appeal; Poudretteite can exhibit a range of pink shades, from a gentle blush to a deep magenta, making it highly prized for its beauty as well as its rarity. This gemstone not only captivates collectors and enthusiasts but also offers valuable insights into mineral composition and formation, enriching the scientific study of gemstones. Poudretteite's combination of striking appearance, rarity, and scientific interest makes it a gemstone of unparalleled charm and significance.

source: crystaltreasure.com

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Morganite, Pink Aragonite

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

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.

Accessible Healing Crystal Alternative: Ruby

source: Geologiyin.com

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.

Grandidierite is a dazzling gemstone that captivates with its unique shades of blue-green to deep green, making it a true treasure for gem enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its rarity and exquisite beauty place it among the world’s most sought-after gemstones. Found only in the exotic locales of Madagascar and Sri Lanka, owning a piece of grandidierite is like holding a piece of Earth's hidden beauty in your hands.

Source: starlanka.com

The thrill of grandidierite lies not just in its scarcity but also in its value, with top-quality specimens fetching astonishing prices that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. This gemstone's story is as fascinating as its appearance. In this light-hearted exploration, we'll uncover the history of grandidierite and celebrate its journey to becoming a gemstone cherished by collectors and enthusiasts around the globe. Discover the magic and allure of grandidierite, a gem that’s as rare as it is beautiful!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.