The Mystery of Gemstones: Which is Rarer, Diamond or Emerald?

Gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, and jade have long captured the hearts of those who adore nature’s beauty. Among them, the sparkling diamond and the vibrant emerald stand as symbols of wealth and power, coveted for their unique allure. But when it comes to rarity, the question arises: Is diamond or emerald truly the rarer gemstone? To answer this, we must look beyond mere extraction numbers and delve into the extraordinary geological processes that create them.

The ring combined with diamonds and emeralds. Photo: CANERE.COM

Number of Mines and Distribution of Gemstones

According to a 2019 study in Minerals magazine, only 49 emerald mines are known worldwide. In contrast, a 2022 article in Mineralogy & Geochemical Reviews reports approximately 1,000 diamond-bearing formations, with just 82 active mines. At first glance, diamonds appear more common than emeralds. However, comparing these two gemstones isn’t straightforward due to vast differences in extraction scale and the industries surrounding them.

The diamond industry is robust and highly organized, dominated by large corporations that oversee mining, trading, and pricing. Per Canada’s Department of Natural Resources, global production yields 100-150 million carats of diamonds annually, equating to 20-30 tons. Meanwhile, emerald output is far lower, ranging from 6-9 tons per year, based on 2015 data from key producers like Colombia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Brazil, as reported by the UK-based mining company Gemfields. This suggests emeralds are rarer in terms of actual production compared to diamonds.

According to research, emeralds are rarer in terms of output compared to diamonds. Photo: Sheena Stone

Unique Geological Conditions Behind Gemstones

Rarity isn’t just about numbers—it’s also about the complex geological formation of these gemstones. Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle, at depths of 150-200 km, where extreme pressure and temperature transform carbon into crystals. According to Gems & Gemology (2018), diamonds are among the deepest-origin gemstones on the planet.

However, for diamonds to reach the surface and be mined, a rare geological event is required: a kimberlite volcanic eruption. These eruptions carry magma from depths of 170-300 km, bringing diamonds along. Yet, not every eruption yields diamonds, making their extraction a gamble.

Illustration of the conditions and formation process of various gemstones within the Earth.

In contrast, emeralds boast an even more intricate formation process. Evan Smith from the Gemological Institute of America explains that emeralds, a green variety of the mineral beryl, owe their signature hue to chromium and vanadium. These elements concentrate in the continental crust, while beryl forms in deeper igneous rocks. Creating an emerald requires a rare fusion of these distinct geological environments, involving interactions between beryl-bearing rocks and sedimentary layers like limestone or shale.

Geologist Chris Tucker from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences notes, “You need these two factors to meet and react precisely to form an emerald.” This process, reliant on interactions across geological layers, often occurs in tectonically active regions, such as mountain ranges where tectonic plates collide, adding to the rarity of this gemstone.

According to geological research experts, the formation process of emeralds is far more complex than that of diamonds.

Mining Gemstones: How Diamonds and Emeralds Differ

Mining diamonds typically occurs on a large scale, thanks to their relatively uniform distribution in kimberlite formations. Diamond mines are dug deep, blasted, and processed in bulk to recover the gemstones. Meanwhile, emeralds are scattered across complex geological zones, necessitating smaller-scale, often manual mining methods that demand precision.

Gemfields reports that tracking emerald production, along with other gemstones beyond diamonds, is challenging. Emerald mines are spread globally, often operated by small companies lacking the robust reporting systems of the diamond industry. Consequently, data on emerald extraction is frequently imprecise and hard to regulate.

Tracking emerald production, along with other gemstones beyond diamonds, is challenging.

The Value and Rarity of Emeralds vs. Diamonds: Which is Rarer?

Though both diamonds and emeralds arise from remarkable geological processes, emeralds are considered rarer in terms of human accessibility. Diamonds benefit from large-scale mining and a developed trade network, while emeralds require more specific conditions, making them harder to extract and less evenly distributed.

While diamonds have long symbolized luxury and love, emeralds captivate gemstone enthusiasts with their mesmerizing green hue and genuine scarcity. The value difference between these two gemstones stems not only from their formation but also from market trends and cultural preferences.

Emeralds outshine diamonds in rarity. Photo: Jeweller Magazine.

When considering mine numbers, extraction scale, or geological processes, emeralds outshine diamonds in rarity. Both are stunning gemstones born of unique conditions, but emeralds demand more complex factors to form, rendering them harder to mine and less common than diamonds. This scarcity elevates emeralds to one of the most coveted gemstones, rivaling jade and diamonds in the world of precious stones.

By Đức Khương - Thanh Niên Việt - Lucky Qi edited