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Most Valuable Birthstones, From Least to Most Expensive

SunChan / Getty Images

Birthstones have been fascinating people for centuries. They’ve since evolved into priceless collector’s items, with the most valuable gemstones appearing in museums like the Smithsonian.

Top-quality gemstones from each month are worth a pretty penny, but which birthstone is worth the most?

These are the most valuable birthstones, ranked by their average price. Plus what makes each one unique and the most expensive birthstones on record.

12. Peridot

Peridot stone
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Month peridot represents: August

Average price: $500/kg

Most expensive peridot stone: ~$18,000

Note: Value estimates are based on the average price of each gemstone per kilogram at the time of publication. Exact values vary depending on the cut and quality of each gem, as well as changing market value. Current figures are based on information from Gemval

Bottom Line: Peridot

Peridot gemstones
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Peridot, the light green August birthstone, is also known as chrysolite. While gem collectors typically go for the more valuable green gemstone, emerald, peridot is impressive all on its own.

It’s lighter, more olive-toned color can be strikingly rich, and completely clear specimens are often turned into expensive jewelry. One of peridot’s unique qualities is that its shimmer is visible even under artificial lighting, unlike most other gemstones that appear much duller indoors than in sunlight.

This has earned it the nickname “the evening emerald.” 

11. Amethyst

Amethyst gemstone
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Month amethyst represents: February

Average price: $600/kg

Most expensive amethyst: ~$300,000-$400,000

Bottom Line: Amethyst

Amethyst crystals
PeterHermesFurian / Getty Images

Amethyst is one of the few birthstones that can be found everywhere from mom and pop crystal and mineral shops to souvenir stores. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, the same as that of quartz, which is plenty hard enough to use in jewelry.

It’s much more affordable than most gemstones, but large crystals can be worth thousands. Crystals with a deep, red-purple hue are also valuable.