Painite was discovered in the 1950s by a British mineralogist named Arthur C.D. Pain. Yes, his last name was literally "Pain." Finding the gem was apparently worth the headache.
The Most Expensive Gemstones In The World
For decades, only three crystals existed in the entire world. Museums fought over them like kids after the last cookie. One tiny crystal was worth more than a mansion.
Today, we’ve found a few more in Myanmar, but it’s still a ghost town in the gem market. You won’t see it at a jewelry store. Ever.
A Fun Comparison: Painite vs. Diamonds
Let’s put this in perspective. A top-quality diamond costs anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000 per carat. That is already insane, right?
Well, a top-quality Painite can fetch $50,000 to $60,000 per carat. And some tiny, gem-quality pieces have been rumored to hit $100,000 per carat. That is double the price of the fanciest engagement ring you’ve ever seen.
Why isn’t it more famous? Because diamonds are sold by huge corporations. Painite is sold by, like, three guys in a secret handshake club. It’s the underground rock star nobody knows.
