10 Rarest Yellow Stones for Jewelry

The rarest yellow stones often exhibit intense and vibrant shades. Their vivid coloration can range from soft and delicate to deep and rich, making them visually striking and captivating. Due to their scarcity, however, these yellow stones are rather exclusive and inaccessible. Here are the ten rarest yellow stones in jewelry.

Rarest of Yellow Stones: Taaffeite

Taaffeite is a gemstone from the beryl family. First discovered in 1945, taaffeite obtained its name from the gemologist who discovered it, Richard Taaffe. Taaffeite comes in a range of beautiful colors, including pink, lavender and mauve. An extremely rare variety of taaffeite is yellow, which varies in intensity from pale yellow to the more saturated shades. As in other varieties, the cause of color in yellow taaffeite is the presence of trace elements, though scientists have not yet widely studied or documented the specific inclusion responsible for the yellow coloration.

Due to its limited occurrence, taaffeite is a rare gem. The yellow variety is even rarer. Yellow taaffeite is seldom available in the market, and gem collectors keep an eye out for this gem. Taaffeite occurs in several locations worldwide, including Sri Lanka. Yellow taaffeite occurs particularly  in Myanmar.

2nd Rarest of Yellow Stones: Yellow Jeremejevite

Jeremejevite is a rare and precious gemstone that came to light in Russia in 1883. Named after the Russian mineralogist Pavel Vladimirovich Eremeev (also spelled Jeremejev), who first identified the mineral, jeremejevite is highly valued for its vibrant colors, particularly blue and green. A lesser-known variety of jeremejevite is yellow, which ranges in shades from pale to intense hues. The presence of certain trace elements within the crystal is believed responsible for the yellow coloration, but an extensive study or documentation has yet to be made.

Due to its limited occurrence in nature, jeremejevite, including the yellow variety, is rare. Jeremejevite occurs in relatively few locations, making it more challenging to obtain in significant quantities. As a result, it is challenging to find significant quantities or large sizes of yellow jeremejevite suitable for use in jewelry.  Notable sources of jeremejevite include Namibia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Russia and Myanmar.

3rd Rarest of Yellow Stones: Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl

Chrysoberyl is a durable and valuable gemstone known for its excellent clarity and luster. This gem comes from the mineral chrysoberyl, which is an aluminate of beryllium. The best-known variety of chrysoberyl is yellow. Long treasured for this yellow coloration, this gemstone typically displays a range of hues, from greenish and pale yellow to deep golden yellow. The yellow color comes from the presence of trace elements, particularly iron, which absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the yellow color. The concentration of these impurities determines the intensity and shade of yellow in chrysoberyl. The most highly prized yellow chrysoberyls exhibit a vivid and intense yellow color.

Yellow chrysoberyl is a rare gemstone. The occurrence of gem-quality chrysoberyl with vibrant yellow coloration is relatively uncommon. For yellow chrysoberyl to occur, the specific geological conditions required for the mineral’s formation and the presence of the right impurities to produce the desired yellow color need to align. Regions that produce yellow chrysoberyl include Brazil, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, Russia and Myanmar.

Due to its scarcity and desirable color, collectors and gem enthusiasts prize the chrysoberyl. Though not as widely known or commercially popular as other yellow stones, high-quality yellow chrysoberyls with intense color saturation and good transparency can command high prices. Moreover, while yellow chrysoberyl in general is less rare compared to yellow diamond and yellow sapphire, a variety of chrysoberyl ranks far higher among the rarest of yellow stones.

Cat’s Eye

Also known as ‘cymophane,’ cat’s eye is a variety of chrysoberyl that exhibits a unique optical phenomenon known as ‘chatoyancy.’ Also known as the ‘cat’s eye’ effect, this optical property creates a luminous band of light resembling a cat’s eye when the gem is properly cut and polished. This cat’s eye effect comes from parallel needle-like inclusions that reflect light and create the band of light across the gemstone’s surface.

Due to this unique property, cat’s eye chrysoberyl is a rare and valuable gem. In addition to the rare occurrence of chatoyant chrysoberyls in nature, the limited availability of high-quality specimens with a vivid yellow coloration and distinct cat’s eye effect further adds to the rarity of the cat’s eye. The demand for unique and rare gemstones, moreover, contributes to its scarcity in the market. Cat’s eye occurs in mines where ordinary chrysoberyl occurs, particularly in Brazil and Sri Lanka.

4th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Wulfenite

Wulfenite is a mineral from the lead molybdate group. Named after the Austrian mineralogist Franz Xavier von Wulfen, wulfenite occurs in thin tabular crystals of vibrant colors. Yellow is one of the most common colors of wulfenite. This color comes in a range of shades, including pale yellow, golden yellow and orange-yellow. The yellow color comes primarily from the presence of trace elements, probably chromium. These impurities absorb specific wavelengths of light, giving the mineral its yellow coloration, whose intensity varies based on the concentration of the inclusion.

Wulfenite is a relatively rare mineral, especially in fine well-formed crystals suitable for jewelry. This rarity is due to the specific geological conditions that wulfenite requires to form, particularly the presence of lead deposits, as well as its occurrence in tabular crystals too thin for cutting. Wulfenite occurs in several locations worldwide, including Austria, the United States, Mexico, China and Morocco. Given its rarity, collectors and mineral enthusiasts highly prize the wulfenite.

5th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Spodumene

Spodumene is a pyroxene mineral composed of lithium aluminum inosilicate. The color most often associated with spodumene is yellow, which goes by the names ‘triphane,’ ‘yellow hiddenite’ and ‘yellow kunzite.’ This variety of spodumene ranges in hues from pale yellow to more intense and saturated shades. The color comes from the presence of trace elements, particularly chromium, which absorb or reflect specific wavelengths of light, resulting in the yellow coloration.

Yellow spodumene is a rare gemstone, especially when compared to other varieties of the gem, particularly the pink kunzite and green hiddenite. Due to its rare occurrence in nature, there is a limited supply of sizable and high-quality yellow spodumene suitable for use in jewelry. Yellow spodumene is thus less frequently encountered in the gemstone market. The yellow stones occur in several locations around the world, with notable sources including Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar and Pakistan. The scarcity of yellow spodumene, along with its attractive color, contributes to its value and desirability in the market.

6th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Scapolite

Scapolite is a complex mineral composed of aluminum, sodium, calcium and silicon. Not as well-known as other sought-after gems, scapolite is typically transparent and suitable for use in jewelry. Along with other colors, scapolite occurs in yellow, varying from pale yellow to more vibrant shades. The yellow color comes from the presence of trace elements, particularly a combination of iron and copper.

Yellow scapolite is rare, seldom occurring in large crystals of over 15 carats. The availability of high-quality and desirable yellow stones, moreover, is quite limited, contributing to its rarity in the market.  Still, scapolite remains accessible. Though the yellow stones are not as common as some other gems, scapolites are still relatively available in the market. This gemstone occurs in several locations, including Brazil, Myanmar, Canada, Tanzania and Russia.

7th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Sphalerite

Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral valued both as a metal ore and as a gemstone. Though commonly brown, sphalerite occurs in yellow. The intensity of the yellow color can range from pale to more vivid shades. The color typically comes from the presence of trace elements, such as iron, which affect the absorption and reflection of light, resulting in the yellow coloration.

Yellow is a rare variety of sphalerite. While sphalerite itself is a relatively common mineral, the occurrence of gem-quality yellow stones suitable for use in jewelry is quite rare. Sphalerite occurs in several locations, including Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Peru and China.

8th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Diamond

Diamond is a naturally occurring gemstone composed of carbon. A significant portion of diamond production consists of yellow stones. Yellow diamonds display a range of hues from pale yellow to intense and vivid shades, better known as ‘canary.’ Fancy vivid yellows are the most saturated and highly prized. The yellow color generally comes from the presence of nitrogen, which absorbs blue light, resulting in the reflection of yellow color. The intensity and shade of yellow can vary depending on the concentration of nitrogen.

Yellow diamonds are rarer than colorless diamonds. While diamonds usually range from colorless to light yellow or brown, those with more intense and desirable yellow coloration are far less common. The level of rarity increases as the intensity of color becomes more vivid and saturated. Fancy vivid yellows, with their strong and saturated color, are among the rarest and most valuable.

The natural occurrence of diamonds with intense and vivid yellow coloration is uncommon due to the geological conditions required for their formation. Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle under high pressure and temperature. The presence of nitrogen is necessary for yellow diamonds to take shape. The demand for yellow diamonds also contributes to their scarcity in the market. Yellow diamonds occur in various diamond-producing regions, including South Africa, Australia, Russia, Brazil and Angola. See —

Yellow sapphire
From Gemsphoto, CC BY-SA 3.0

9th Rarest of Yellow Stones: Sapphire

Yellow sapphire is a gemstone from the mineral corundum, which consists of aluminum oxide. One of the long cherished gemstones in jewelry under the name ‘Oriental topaz,’ yellow sapphire is prized for its clarity and vibrant color, which ranged from pale yellow to intense golden yellow. The yellow color comes from the presence of trace elements, particularly iron and titanium, which absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the yellow color. The intensity and shade of yellow varies with the concentration of the inclusion.

Generally, yellow sapphires are less rare compared to some other fancy-colored sapphires, such as blue, pink or padparadscha sapphires. Even so, certain exceptional yellow sapphires with intense color saturation, high clarity and large sizes can still command significant prices. Indeed, yellow sapphire is a valuable and sought-after gemstone. The yellow stones come from various parts of the world. Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Thailand, Australia and Myanmar  are known for their sapphire deposits, and have been historically significant in the production of yellow sapphires.

10th Rarest: Danburite

Danburite is a mineral consisting of calcium boron silicate. Known for its transparent to translucent appearance, danburite obtained its name from the city of Danbury, Connecticut, United States, where the mineral first came to light in 1839. While most danburite is colorless, the stone also occurs in yellow, ranging from pale yellow to a deeper golden-yellow shade. Though not clearly understood, the exact cause of the yellow color in danburite is believed to be related to the presence of trace impurities, which absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, resulting in the yellow color.

High-quality and gem-grade specimens of yellow danburite are rare. The occurrence of gem-quality danburite with a distinct yellow color is relatively uncommon. Thus, while the stone may not be as widely popular as some other yellow stones, finding yellow danburite with good transparency, attractive color and desirable characteristics can be challenging. Notable sources of danburite include Mexico, the United States, Japan, Madagascar, Russia and Myanmar.

Rare and Beautiful

It is remarkable how the rarest of yellow stones are desirable not only for their rarity, but for their beauty as well. These gemstones exhibit extraordinary brightness and allure. Their unique colors, ranging from delicate pastel yellows to vibrant golden hues, capture the eye and create a striking visual impact. While rarity certainly plays a crucial role in making these gemstones highly sought after, their exceptional beauty also genuinely captivates the hearts of gemstone enthusiasts.

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For all yellow stones, see also —

33 Types of Yellow Gemstones for Jewelry

See more

Working on Diamond

The author penned this article during his research for an upcoming book. As he did so, he discovered that yellow diamond is less rare compared to other yellow stones, but still ranks among the rarest. His book, ‘Diamond, Its Magic and History’ is still in progress. In the meantime, you can explore his other publication —