Welcome to the world of rare stones

Diamonds, rubies, sapphires. Beyond the gemstones that everyone knows about, there is a world of minerals that we have never seen before. A miraculous crystal created by the earth over hundreds of millions of years. The amount produced is very small, and only a handful reach gem quality. Like thatRare stone (rare stone)gives the person who owns it a unique feeling.

In this article, a professional buyer from Selby, the only company specializing in jewelry in the Komehei Group, has carefully selected jewelry based on his experience in on-site inspections and direct overseas imports.14 types of rare stonesWe will introduce them all at once. From a professional perspective, we will thoroughly explain the mineralogical characteristics, the background of the production area, how to enjoy it as jewelry, and how to judge its quality.

What is rare stone?

Rare stone is a general term that refers to minerals that are produced in extremely limited amounts or where gem-quality crystals are only rarely obtained. Although there are no clear international standards, in the jewelry industry, stones that meet the following conditions are generally called rare stones.

These stones are almost never found on the shelves of general jewelry stores. To obtainPurchasing route close to the production areaAnd,Expertise to accurately identify stonesBoth are essential.

14 stone rarity x hardness matrix

The 14 types of rare stones introduced this time have been mapped on two axes: "market circulation amount (rarity)" and "Mohs hardness". The closer to the top right, the harder it is, making it suitable for jewelry, and the closer to the top left, the more rare it is, making it a collector's stone.

Rare stones to choose from in 3 categories according to purpose

Rather than randomly arranging the 14 stones, we have divided them into three broad categories based on their properties. Find the most suitable stone according to your purpose - whether you want to wear it as jewelry or admire it as a collection.

Mohs hardness and 14 stone position relationship

Mohs hardness is something that cannot be avoided when choosing a gemstone. A hardness of 7 or higher is generally recommended for everyday jewelry, but many rare stones have a hardness lower than that. Please use the diagram below to intuitively understand the position of each stone.

14 rare stones complete guide

We will condensely introduce each stone's individuality as a mineral, the story of its origin, and its potential as jewelry. Click "Learn more" on each card to view more in-depth specialized articles.

14 stone spec comparison table

You can compare the basic specifications of each stone in a list. Pay special attention to hardness and cleavage when considering wearing jewelry.

Why does the color change?｜Illustration of the coloring mechanism

The color of rare stones is produced by different chemical and physical mechanisms. Understanding the basis of color is the first step in determining quality.

World rare stone production area map

We have mapped the 14 main production areas of stone on a world map. The more localized the stone is, the more difficult it is to reproduce the geological conditions of that area, which is the basis for its rarity.

How to choose rare stones | 5 points of view to avoid failure

1. Correctly understanding hardness and cleavage
   Many rare stones have low hardness or complete cleavage, making them unsuitable for rings for everyday use.Mohs hardness 6.5 or higherThe golden rule for professionals is to use stones that are smaller than this as a standard and make items that are less susceptible to impact, such as pendants and earrings. There are stones like Euclase that have complete cleavage even with a hardness of 7.5, so be sure to check not only the hardness but also the cleavage characteristics.
2. Know the basis of color
   Pink derived from manganese (vaylinenite, rhodochrosite), magenta derived from cobalt (cobalt calcite), discoloration due to sulfur color center (hackmanite), etc.why that colorUnderstanding this is the first step in determining quality. The depth of rare stones is that there are stones whose color is not necessarily high quality.
3. Check the authenticity of the origin
   Because the production areas are limited, some stones are susceptible to falsification of the production area and substitution of similar stones. Ouinite from Eifel, Germany, clinohumite from Pamir, Tajikistan, etc.Reliable certificate of authenticity and transparency of suppliersPlease be sure to check.
4. Adjust size expectations
   Many of the rare stones are small, and gem-quality loose stones over 1 carat are extremely rare. The mainstream size of auinite and vaillineite is around 0.3 to 0.5 ct.Choose small but high quality stonesThis change in values is the real thrill of collecting rare stones.
5. Keeping asset value and purchase guarantee in mind
   Due to the small amount of rare stones in circulation, the market value of many of them is on the rise. At the time of purchaseFuture purchase guarantee and trade-in systemWhether or not there is one is an important factor in enjoying stones with peace of mind.

Jewelry suitability judgment flowchart

"Is this stone safe to use as a ring?" - This is a flowchart that answers the first question that comes to mind when you receive a rare stone.

Why is Selby a rare stone?

Komehei Group's only jewelry specialty company

Selby is the only company specializing in jewelry in the Komehei Group, the largest company in the reuse industry. Based on the group's information capabilities and logistics network, a specialized team specializing in the purchasing, appraisal, and sales of gemstones supports the world of rare stones.

On-site inspection and direct imports from overseas

The quality of rare stones is largely determined by the selection stage at the production area. At Selby, specialized buyers visit major production areas and mineral shows, inspect the stones with their own eyes and hands, and then import stones directly. By eliminating intermediaries, we offer our customers the best in terms of quality and price.

Appraisal power of professional buyers

Appraisal of rare stones requires a higher level of expertise than that of ordinary gemstones. Differences in color development due to the way the cleavage runs, the local characteristics of inclusions, and trace elements. Our experience gained from handling rare stones over many years allows us to accurately evaluate the quality of each piece.

Frequently asked questions