10 Rarest Crystals in the World [and what makes them so special!]
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.
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