Aquamarine vs. Blue Sapphire: Which Stone Will You Choose?

We bring to you the battle of the blues. On one corner, we have the royal and mesmerizing sapphire. On the other end sits the icy blue aquamarine. Which stone will emerge victorious? Which one should you choose?

Read about the differences between aquamarine and blue sapphire to find out.

Good to Know

Historically, both these blue beauties have been associated with fascinating beliefs. In the medieval times, aquamarine was carried by sailors because it was believed to protect them from the rough seas and turbulent storms.

Blue sapphire has been in existence since the beginning of time and the gemstone also finds a mention in the Bible. It was said that the sky was painted blue from the reflection of the sapphire. In modern times, the most popular blue sapphire has been the one adorned by Princess Diana on her engagement ring.

Aquamarine vs. Blue Sapphire: Key Differences

1. Colour

Blue Sapphire: This gem can be found in several shades ranging from velvety blue and intense royal blue to dark violet-blue. Generally, intense blue sapphires with medium to medium-dark tones are the most sought-after.
Aquamarine: Aquamarines are available in different shades ranging from pale baby blue to bluish-green. The most valuable variations display a slightly greenish-blue hue and have moderately strong colour intensity.

2. Symbolism

Blue Sapphire: Since time immemorial, this gemstone has been associated with hope, loyalty, trust and romance. Due to this symbolism and its rich, royal hue, blue sapphire is often used as the ‘something blue’ during wedding ceremonies and is also a popular choice for engagement rings.
Planning a romantic proposal for the love of your life? Cheque out our stunning blue sapphire engagement rings in a variety of simple to extravagant designs. What’s more, you can customize the gemstone quality, carat weight and metal to suit your partner’s style and preference.

Aquamarine: Due to its bright, serene hue, the aquamarine is typically used to represent tranquility, peace and harmony.

3. Rarity

Blue Sapphire: While blue sapphires are relatively easy to find (as compared to other precious jewels), fine-quality stones that showcase a rich colour with no eye-visible flaws are quite scarce.
Aquamarine: Coming to aquamarine’s rarity, in comparison to the blue sapphire, good-quality aquamarines are easier to find.

4. Toughness

Blue Sapphire: Did you know that corundum is one of the hardest minerals on earth? As a member of this mineral family, this blue gemstone scores 9/10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This is indicative of blue sapphire’s excellent durability.

Aquamarine: Talking about aquamarine’s hardness, this gem has a 7.5 to 8 rating on the Mohs scale. So, while aquamarines aren’t as tough as blue sapphires, they are still considerably durable and can even be used for everyday wear, however they must be treated with love and care.

5. Clarity

Blue Sapphire: Due to the immense pressure under which they are formed, sapphires typically tend to have some type of inclusion or flaw. It can be in the form of needles, feathers, silk, cavities, etc. If a blue sapphire has no inclusions, then there are high chances that it is a synthetic stone or a glass imitation. And while stones with good clarity and no eye-visible inclusions do exist, they are incredibly rare.
Aquamarine: Aquamarines, on the contrary, are generally eye-clean and have zero to minimal visible inclusions. This green gemstone’s impressive clarity is certainly one of its USPs.

6. Treatment

Blue Sapphire: Almost all blue sapphires undergo heat treatments to reduce their inclusions and improve their colour and overall appearance.

Aquamarine: This gemstone is often heat-treated to enhance its hue.

7. Affordability

Blue Sapphire: Thanks to its exceptional beauty, long-standing association with royalty, and ‘precious stone’ categorization, blue sapphire is undoubtedly the more expensive gem of the two.
Aquamarine: This delightful semi-precious gem is relatively easy on the pocket, which makes it the perfect choice for individuals who are on a tight budget.
And if you are planning to go down on one knee but don’t want to splurge, our aquamarine engagement rings are exactly what you need. Whether your sweetheart likes everything minimalistic or prefers something bold, we have a design for every style. Go on, find a piece that will match her personality now!

8. Sources

Blue Sapphire: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Thailand, the U.S. and Australia are some of the well-known sources of sapphires.

Aquamarine: Currently, Brazil is the largest producer of aquamarines. However, they’re also mined in Kenya, India, China, Australia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the USA.

9. Density

Blue Sapphire: This gem has a high density that hovers between 3.98 and 4.06.

Aquamarine: In comparison to blue sapphire, aquamarine has a lower density ranging between 2.68 and 2.74.

So, talking about blue sapphire vs. aquamarine gemstone, a blue sapphire will feel much heavier than an equally sized aquamarine. Also, an aquamarine will appear bigger than a sapphire of the same carat weight.

10. Effects of Sun Exposure

Blue Sapphire: Sapphires will show slight signs of colour fading with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and heat.
Aquamarine: An aquamarine’s stunning blue colour may change if it’s exposed to direct sunlight for a long period.
So, keep your aquamarine and sapphire engagement rings or other jewellery pieces studded with these gems away from direct sunlight. You can put them in cloth pouches or velvet-lined boxes and store them in a cool, dry and dark place when not in use.

Did You Know?

The name sapphire is derived from the Latin term ‘saphirus’ and the Greek word ‘sapheiros,’ both of which mean blue.
Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin words aqua, meaning ‘water,’ and marina, meaning ‘of the sea.’

Even though they’re both blue, the sapphire and aquamarine couldn’t be more different from each other. And now that you know what sets them apart, you are in a better position to choose the stone that’s perfect for you.

Verdict

Considering all the aspects, blue sapphire emerges as the clear winner in this battle. Investing in blue sapphire might slightly affect your budget, but the beauty it displays and the meaning it represents is unmatched.

On the other hand, aquamarine might not be as popular as blue sapphire, but it does have its set of special features. This stunning gemstone exhibits the tranquility of the ocean with flawless clarity and the reasonable pricing makes it a favorable option for your jewellery choices.

Want to buy gorgeous blue sapphire jewellery that makes you stand out wherever you go? Or are you seeking beautiful aquamarine jewellery that will complement any attire? Then Angara is your best bet!

Our rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets studded with the magnificent blue sapphire and the mesmerizing aquamarine are great for treating yourself as well as make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. You can also get these pieces crafted in a metal, gemstone quality and carat weight of your choice. So, go ahead and cheque out our natural gemstone jewellery collection now!

FAQs

Q1. Which shade of blue sapphire is the most valuable?

Blue sapphires with velvety blue and intense royal blue to violet-blue hues, in medium to medium-dark tones, are considered the most valuable.

Q2. Are pink sapphires more expensive than blue sapphires?

No, blue sapphires usually cost more than pink sapphires.

Q3. Can you use aquamarine instead of a blue sapphire?

Aquamarines cannot be used in place of blue sapphires because they’re two completely different gemstones. However, aquamarine will make a great alternative for blue sapphire if you are on a tight budget.