What is the Most Expensive Birthstone in order (2026)

What is the Most Expensive Birthstone?

The most expensive birthstone in 2026 is diamond because of its exceptional hardness, rarity, and strong global demand. Other expensive birthstones include ruby, emerald, alexandrite, and sapphire, which are prized for their color intensity, rarity, and historical significance in fine jewelry.

This guide below explores the most expensive and cheapest birthstones in detail, offering insights into their value and tips to choose the right one.

Top 12 Most Expensive Birthstones in 2026 (Most to Least Expensive)

Below is a list of birthstones ranked by value, including their price per carat and birth month. This birthstone chart by month ranking by price can guide you in choosing a gemstone that matches your style and budget.

NOTE: Prices are estimates based on typical quality factors and market trends. Values vary by color, clarity, origin, and size.

Dig deeper: Most Expensive Pearl Color-Get to Know Pearl Color And Price

Most Expensive Birthstones in Order

Among all birthstones, diamond, ruby, emerald, alexandrite, and sapphire consistently rank among the top 5 most valuable birthstones. The ranking below is based on their typical market value, considering rarity, color quality, durability, and overall demand in the global gemstone market.

1. Diamond: April Birthstone

Diamonds are valued for their exceptional hardness, brilliance, and global reputation as the ultimate luxury gemstone. Strong cultural associations with wealth and commitment sustain their high market demand, making it the most expensive birthstone

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality diamond: from$3,000 to $11,000+.

2. Ruby: July Birthstone

Rubies are prized for their vivid red color and extreme rarity among untreated gemstones. High-quality rubies with intense saturation, often described as “pigeon blood”, are scarce, and their limited supply makes them one of the most valuable birthstones.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality ruby: from $3,000 to $10,000+.

3. Emerald: May Birthstone

Emeralds are admired for their rich green color and long history in royal jewelry. High-quality emeralds with minimal inclusions and strong saturation are rare, driving up their market value.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality emerald: from $3,000 to $7,000+.

4. Sapphire: September Birthstone

Sapphires are known for their durability and deep blue color, though they occur in many hues. Their uncommonly strong color saturation, durability, and cultural importance make it one of the most expensive birthstones.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality sapphire: from $1,000 to $3,500+.

5. Alexandrite: June Birthstone

Alexandrite is famous for its rare color-change effect, appearing green in daylight and reddish under incandescent light. This unique optical property and extremely limited natural supply make it one of the rarest and most valuable birthstones. Alexandrite is also considered one of the most unique gemstones featured in the modern and traditional birthstone chart.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality alexandrite: from $1,000 to $3,000+.

What is the Cheapest Birthstone?

The cheapest birthstones are typically citrine, amethyst, tourmaline, topaz, and peridot. These gemstones are generally more affordable because they are widely available and found in larger deposits around the world. These gemstones provide affordable options for colorful and personalized birthstone jewelry.

1. Citrine: November Birthstone

Citrine is a golden-yellow variety of quartz valued for its warm color and clarity. It is the cheapest birthstone because it is abundant in nature and widely available, especially from Brazil and other large deposits.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality citrine:from $10 to $50+.

2. Amethyst: February Birthstone

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz admired for its rich violet hues. Large global deposits make it widely available, which keeps prices relatively low despite its long history in fine and royal jewelry.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality amethyst: from $50 to $90+.

3. Tourmaline: October Birthstone

Tourmaline is known for its wide spectrum of colors, from pink and green to bi-color stones. Although rare varieties can be expensive, most tourmalines remain affordable due to their broad global supply.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality tourmaline: from$100 to $400+.

4. Topaz: November Birthstone

Topaz appears in several colors, with blue and colorless varieties being the most common. Its widespread availability and frequent treatments make it one of the more affordable birthstones.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality topaz:from$100 to $400+.

5. Peridot: August Birthstone

Peridot is recognized for its bright olive-green color and volcanic origin. Its affordability is because it is mined in several major deposits worldwide, ensuring a stable supply.

Estimated price for 1-carat high-quality peridot: from$400 to $650+.

What Are the 3 Rarest Birthstones? Rarest Birthstones Chart in Order

The rarest gemstones are diamond, ruby, and emerald. These gemstones are classified as precious stones, and high-quality natural specimens with exceptional color and clarity are extremely scarce, which significantly increases their market value. For a deeper breakdown, explore the Top 10 Rarest Birthstones guide.

How Much Do Birthstones Cost?

The cost of birthstones, including the most expensive birthstones and the least expensive ones, is valued based on whether the most expensive or the most affordable, the price of birthstones is typically evaluated using the 4Cs: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat. These factors help determine a gemstone’s overall quality and market value.

Color

Color is often the most important factor in determining a birthstone’s value. Gemologists evaluate color based on three elements: hue, tone, and saturation. Hue refers to the gemstone’s basic color (such as red, blue, or green), tone describes how light or dark the color appears, and saturation measures the intensity of the color. In general, gemstones with vivid, balanced color tend to be more valuable.

Beyond value, birthstone colors are also associated with different symbolism and meanings across cultures. Check our detailed guide on Birthstone Colors and Meanings by Month to learn more.

Cut

Cut refers to how a gemstone is shaped and faceted. A well-cut stone reflects light evenly across its surface, enhancing brilliance and symmetry. Birthstones can be cut into many shapes—such as round, oval, or square—but precision cutting is essential to highlight the stone’s natural color and sparkle.

Clarity

Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions or surface blemishes within a gemstone. Stones with fewer visible imperfections are typically more valuable because they allow light to pass through more freely, improving overall brilliance.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of the gemstone, with 1 carat equal to 200 milligrams. Larger stones are generally more valuable, especially when combined with high color quality, excellent cut, and good clarity. However, a smaller gemstone with better overall quality can still be more valuable than a larger but lower-quality stone.

How to Choose the Right Birthstone Jewelry?

Whether you are a jewelry brand developing a collection or a jewelry lover selecting a personal piece, here are some tips to help you choose the right birthstone. With over a decade of experience in the jewelry industry and many GIA-certified stones in our collection, Nendine brings expert knowledge in gemstones, ensuring both quality and authenticity.

For Jewelry Brands

• Collection Planning & Cost Control

Customizing a series of birthstones requires at least 12 pieces for each style (using January to December gemstones). Planning ahead helps you manage production costs and maintain a balanced product range.

• Birthstone Cut and Shape

The cut and shape of a gemstone significantly affect its brilliance and visual appeal. Common shapes include round, oval, cushion, and emerald cuts. Selecting the right cut for each gemstone helps maximize light reflection and enhances the overall design of the jewelry.

• Gemstone Durability Consideration

Durability is important when designing jewelry intended for regular wear. Harder stones such as diamond, sapphire, and ruby are more resistant to scratches, making them ideal for rings and bracelets. Softer stones may require protective settings or be better suited for pendants and earrings.

For Jewelry Lovers

• Personal Style and Preference

Ordinarily, you might choose the one that represents your birth month. But you can make a selection from others depending on your style and preference. For example, you can choose peridot because of its one color uniqueness (lime green) or tourmaline because of its variety of colors.

• Budget

Budget is another key consideration. Precious gemstones like diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire are typically more expensive, while stones such as topaz, amethyst, tourmaline, and citrine offer more affordable options without sacrificing beauty.

Key Takeaway

Each month has a unique birthstone, but their values vary widely due to rarity and quality. This guide covered the most expensive and the cheapest birthstones to help you choose wisely. For jewelry brands developing birthstone collections, working with an experienced custom jewelry manufacturer ensures quality and efficient production.

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