Los Angeles, CA – A gemstone so rare that only one specimen has ever been discovered in the entire world has captured the attention of experts and gem enthusiasts alike. Known as kyawthuite, this tiny, tawny-hued mineral was found in Myanmar and is unlike anything previously known to science.
The unique stone was first identified by gemologist Kyaw Thu, who initially mistook it for scheelite. However, upon further examination, it became clear that this particular gem was something entirely new and mysterious. The stone, measuring just over 5 millimeters in size, was sent to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Bangkok for further analysis.
Mineralogists at the GIA were able to determine that kyawthuite is related to synthetic bismuth antimonate, though with a chemical structure never before seen in nature. The gemstone exhibits an intense orange color with hints of red, along with distinctive tube-shaped inclusions caused by the natural stresses of its formation.
Geologists believe that kyawthuite likely originated from an igneous source, specifically within pegmatite rock formations common in the region where it was discovered. The presence of titanium, niobium, tungsten, and uranium in the stone further supports this hypothesis.
Due to its extreme rarity and unique characteristics, kyawthuite has been deemed priceless by experts. Compared to the world’s second-rarest gem, painite, which can fetch up to $60,000 per carat, the value of kyawthuite is truly immeasurable. The sole known specimen of kyawthuite is now housed at the National History Museum in Los Angeles County for further study and appreciation.