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10 Rarest Brown Stones for Jewelry

Quite a few of the rarest brown stones display remarkable optical properties, like color change and asterism. These exceptional characteristics make them stand out, and attract collectors who appreciate their rarity and uniqueness. Accordingly, these stones remain much sought after, even when people find the color brown less desirable. The scarcity of these brown stones, moreover, adds to their allure and popularity. Here are the ten rarest brown stones for jewelry.

Rarest of brown stones, painite
Painite

Rarest of Brown Stones: Painite

Painite is a rare gemstone first discovered in Myanmar in the 1950s. The British mineralogist Arthur Charles Davy Pain was the first to identify this mineral, which accordingly took its name from him. Though best known in red, painite also exhibits brown hues, ranging from brown to a dark reddish-brown. The exact color varies among the different brown stones, but is always a warm earthy tone. This color comes from the presence of elements within the crystal that cause a reddish or brown coloration, namely, chromium, vanadium and iron.

Given the limited number of known specimens, painite is one of the rarest minerals in the world. It was due to this scarcity that the stone gained significant attention from stone collectors and enthusiasts. The brown variety of painite is also highly rare. As in the case of red painite, the rarity of the brown stones are due to their limited occurrence in nature, the scarcity of high-quality specimens and the difficulty in finding new sources. Painite came solely from Myanmar, in whose Mogok region the first known painite came to light.

One of the rarest of brown stones, alexandrite
Alexandrite from Zimbabwe

2nd Rarest of Brown Stones: Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a remarkable gemstone highly prized for its color-changing properties. A variety of chrysoberyl, alexandrite is popular for its ability to exhibit different colors under varying lighting conditions. The gem first came to light in the early 19th century in the Ural Mountains of Russia, from whose crown prince, Alexander II, the stone obtained its name. The most distinctive feature of alexandrite is its remarkable change in color, which is typically green in daylight or fluorescent lighting, and red under incandescent light or candlelight. Both colors, however, can be brownish, particularly in the stones coming from Sri Lanka.

Indeed, alexandrite also occurs in brown, which ranges in shades from light to dark brown, often with hints of red or green. The color-change phenomenon for which alexandrite is famous also appears in the brown stones. Alexandrite’s colors come from the presence of trace elements, particularly chromium, which interact with light in a manner that gives rise to the unique color-changing properties of alexandrite.

Like the green-and-red variety, brown alexandrite is also extremely rare. The unique color-changing phenomenon that makes alexandrite so highly valued also makes this gem scarce, occurring quite  less often in nature. Still, apart from Russia and Sri Lanka, significant deposits of alexandrite, including the brown variety, also appeared in other locations, particularly Madagascar and Tanzania. Each of these locations may produce alexandrite with its own distinct characteristics and color variations.

Both this exceptional beauty and the stone’s rarity make alexandrite highly prized among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. As a consequence, the color-changing gem enjoys high market value.

Jeremejevite
Jeremejevite crystal
From Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

3rd Rarest of Brown Stones: Jeremejevite

Jeremejevite is a rare and valuable gemstone from the aluminum borate mineral group. Known for its exceptional clarity, high refractive index and attractive crystal formations, jeremejevite first came to light in the late 19th century in Russia, from whose mineralogist, Pavel Vladimirovich Jeremejev, the stone obtained its name. Though best known in blue, jeremejevite also occurs in brown, particularly a pale yellow-brown.

Jeremejevite in general is a rare gemstone. In addition to its limited occurrence in nature, the scarcity of high-quality specimens contributes to the overall rarity of brown jeremejevite. Jeremejevite comes from several locations, including Namibia, Tajikistan and Myanmar.

Color-change sapphire
Color-change sapphire
From Wiener Edelstein Zentrum, CC BY-SA 3.0

4th Rarest of Brown Stones: Color-Change Sapphire

Highly valued for its beauty and durability, sapphire occurs in a wide range of colors, including brown. The precious gemstone from the mineral corundum thus also exhibits various shades of brown, which range in tone from light to dark. The specific color can vary depending on the saturation of certain trace elements that cause the brown color, such as iron and titanium. These inclusions absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, resulting in the brown coloration.

Brown sapphire is generally less rare than some other colors of sapphire, such as blue or pink, but remains relatively rare compared to other brown stones, with gem-quality stones coming primarily from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand, Australia and Tanzania. A far rarer variety is the color-change sapphire, which exhibits a brown color under certain lighting conditions. The stone may be green in daylight, but appears reddish brown under incandescent light. This color-change phenomenon comes from the presence of certain trace elements, such as chromium and vanadium. The unique property of exhibiting a strong and appealing color change makes such a variety of brown sapphire remarkably rare.

Another rare variety of brown sapphire is the natural star sapphire. This stone exhibits a unique optical phenomenon known as ‘asterism,’ in which a distinct star-like pattern appears on the surface of the gem when properly oriented and illuminated. This unique optical phenomenon results in the rarity of the stones, since a well-defined star requires a specific combination of trace elements to achieve.

One of the rarest of brown stones, zultanite
Zultanite
From Xxbizxx, CC BY-SA 3.0

5th Rarest of Brown Stones: Zultanite

Also known as ‘csarite,’ zultanite is another rare and unique gemstone that exhibits color-changing properties. A gemstone from the mineral diaspore, zultanite typically displays a range of colors depending on the lighting conditions. For instance, a kiwi-green gem in daylight transforms into reddish-brown or cognac in candlelight. This color-changing phenomenon comes from the presence of trace elements within the crystal, with iron giving the stone a brown color.

Due to its unique color-changing properties, zultanite is a rare gem. There is only one place known to fulfill the geological conditions required for its formation, and this is the Anatolian Mountains of Turkey.

One of the rarest of brown stones, diamond
Clove-brown diamond
From Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

6th Rarest of Brown Stones: Diamond

While white in its purest form, diamonds also come in various shades of brown, varying greatly in intensity and tone. These diamonds range in color from light champagne or cognac hues to deep, rich chocolate tones, popularized as ‘chocolate diamonds.’ Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle under high pressure and temperature. The inclusion of nitrogen during its formation is responsible for the occurrence of brown diamonds.

While brown diamonds are generally more abundant compared to other colors of diamond, the availability of high-quality brown diamonds with desirable color saturation, clarity and size can be relatively limited. Hence, though brown diamonds are not as scarce as some fancy diamonds, quality stones of fine brown hues remain rather rare. Moreover, the availability of specific shades of brown varies, with certain shades being rarer than others. Intense, vivid brown diamonds are generally rarer than those of lighter hues.

Though brown diamonds occur in various locations around the world – including Brazil and Russia – the majority came from the Argyle mine of Western Australia. The same mine closed in 2020, thus adding to brown diamond’s rarity. See —

One of the rarest of brown stones, andalusite

Andalusite gem with brown, olive green and rusty orange shades
From W.carter, CC BY-SA 4.0

7th Rarest of Brown Stones: Andalusite

Andalusite is an aluminum silicate mineral that can be strongly pleochroic. Depending on the orientation, andalusite can display different colors, such as brown, green and yellow. The brown color comes in various shades, which vary in tone from light to dark. The orangey brown resembling tree sap is one of the most well-known and commercially valuable colors of the gem. The brown color comes from the inclusion of trace elements, such as titanium and iron.

Although as a mineral andalusite is not uncommon, gem-quality crystals are rather rare. Andalusite rarely occurs in transparent stones fit for jewelry. Of its different varieties, moreover, the brown stones are especially rare. Notable sources of andalusite include Brazil, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Russia and China.

One of the rarest of brown stones, sphalerite
Sphalerite gem
From Sailko, CC BY 3.0

8th Rarest of Brown Stones: Pale Brown Sphalerite

Sphalerite is a gemstone from the zinc sulfide group of minerals. Varying in clarity from transparent to translucent, sphalerite occurs in a range of colors, including brown. Ranging in shades from light to dark, this brown color comes from the presence of trace elements, such as iron, which absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the brown coloration.

Sphalerite occurs in various locations, including China, Mexico and the United States. While brown is among the most common colors of sphalerite, pale brown stones of fine quality remain particularly rare.

Kornerupine crystal
Kornerupine crystal from Madagascar

9th. Kornerupine

Discovered in Greenland in 1884, kornerupine is a rare silicate mineral named after the Danish geologist Andreas Nikolaus Kornerup. Kornerupine occurs in a range of colors, including green and yellow. Brown is one of the common varieties. This color typically comes from the presence of trace elements, particularly iron.

Like andalusite, kornerupine is a pleochroic gem. A single stone may display different shades of brown, green or yellow, depending on the angle of observation. Though brown is the more common color of the gem, this variety remains relatively rare, albeit less attractive due to somber shades. The stone occurs in different locations – including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Madagascar – but gem-quality material is of rare occurrence.

One of the rarest of brown stones, cat's eye chrysoberyl
Cat’s eye chrysoberyl

10th. Cat’s Eye

Also known as ‘cymophane,’ cat’s eye is a variety of chrysoberyl that displays a unique optical phenomenon known as ‘chatoyancy,’ or cat’s eye effect. This appears as a distinct band of light running across the surface of the stone resembling the slit eye of a cat, hence the name ‘cat’s eye.’ Such a phenomenon comes from the reflection of light by parallel needle-like inclusions within the gem. Though best known in yellow, cat’s eye also occurs in brown. Ranging in shades from light to dark, brown cat’s eye often exhibits a rich and warm hue. This color typically comes from the presence of iron and chromium within the crystal.

Due to their unique optical phenomenon, cat’s eyes are rare. The appearance of the cat’s eye effect requires specific conditions during the gemstone’s growth. Such occurrence is relatively uncommon, resulting in the limited availability of cat’s eye chrysoberyl in nature. Brown cat’s eye is even rarer than yellow cymophane. The honey-brown, in particular, is considered to be the optimum color for cat’s eye. Cat’s eye chrysoberyl comes from several locations, including Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar and Tanzania.

Undesirable Brown Stones?

While brown stones may not be as popular as gemstones of other colors, the rarest brown stones still hold special allure. Collectors and gemstone enthusiasts often value peculiar characteristics found in these rare gems, such as their brilliance, asterism or color-change properties. Rarity itself is a significant factor that contributes to the desirability of gemstones, regardless of their color. The exclusivity and scarcity of these brown stones make them highly coveted by individuals who appreciate their distinctiveness and peculiar beauty.

Article published

Delving into Diamonds

The author penned this article while working on an upcoming book about diamonds. Through the required research, he discovered that even brown diamond, which is already the most abundant of diamonds, is among the rarest of brown stones. His book, ‘Diamond, Its Magic and History,’ is currently in progress. In the meantime, you can check his other publication —

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