Kyawthuite is widely recognized as the world’s rarest gemstone and mineral species because only one specimen has ever been found. Since it is not traded, a true market price does not exist. Discovered in Myanmar, this unique crystal possesses a chemical classification that sets it apart from all other known minerals. Its singular existence means that any valuation must move beyond traditional economics and focus on scientific and historical rarity.
The Geology and Discovery of Kyawthuite
Kyawthuite was first discovered in 2010 in the Mogok region of Myanmar, an area famous for producing high-quality gemstones. The single known crystal was found as a water-worn pebble in alluvium, likely originating from a pegmatite deposit formed during the late stages of magma crystallization. This geological setting in the Mogok metamorphic belt provided the necessary high temperatures and pressures for the mineral to form.
The mineral is chemically classified as a natural bismuth antimonate, with the formula Bi³⁺Sb⁵⁺O₄. This composition makes it the only approved natural bismuth-antimony oxide mineral, a substance previously only known to exist in synthetic form. Due to its unique properties, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) officially recognized Kyawthuite as a new mineral species in 2015.
The crystal is reddish-orange and exhibits an adamantine luster, referring to its brilliant, diamond-like shine. It has a Mohs hardness of approximately 5.5 to 6.5, making it moderately durable for a gemstone. The single specimen was named after the Burmese gemologist, Dr. Kyaw Thu, who first recognized the stone as unusual at a local market.
Determining the Monetary Value
A definitive market price for Kyawthuite is unobtainable because the single crystal has never been put up for commercial sale. Its value is tied to its scientific and historical significance rather than being a tradable commodity, often leading it to be described as “priceless.” Mineralogists and collectors often estimate a theoretical value by comparing it to other extremely rare gems.
The world’s second-rarest gem, Painite, for example, has a market value reaching between $50,000 and $60,000 per carat. Since Kyawthuite is significantly rarer—only one known specimen exists compared to Painite’s few thousand—its theoretical value would be exponentially higher. Experts suggest that if the 1.61-carat specimen were offered for sale, it would likely command a price in the multi-million dollar range.
The valuation also incorporates the intrinsic mineral value of its constituent elements, Bismuth and Antimony, but the premium is overwhelmingly driven by its rarity. The status of being the single known example elevates its worth far beyond a simple collector’s item. Its value is a mix of its unique chemical composition, its status as a type specimen, and the premium associated with unmatched scarcity.
Why Kyawthuite Remains Unobtainable
Kyawthuite’s worth remains theoretical due to the singularity of the specimen. Only one crystal, which was faceted into a 1.61-carat gemstone, is known to exist in the world. This single piece represents the entire global supply of the mineral.
The specimen is not held by a private collector or dealer; it is instead preserved for research and public display. The only known Kyawthuite is housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. This placement safeguards the mineral as a geological treasure, effectively removing it from the commercial market.
Until another crystal of Kyawthuite is discovered, the gem’s worth will remain purely academic, driven by its status as a scientific marvel. The conditions required for its formation were so rare and specific that finding another specimen is highly unlikely. For a private collector, the mineral is, by definition, unobtainable.