Blue is the colour of luxury, the colour of rarity. It has also become the symbol of desire; after all, not everyone can buy a magnificent sapphire or tanzanite on a whim. But if you could get your hands on only one of these immensely stunning gemstones, what would you pick?
Take a look at this quick comparative analysis to help find the answer.
Blue Sapphire vs. Tanzanite: What’s the Difference?
Blue is a hue that exudes calmness and serenity. It is also one of the most popular colours in the world of gemstones. And when we think of blue jewels, how can we not mention the sapphire and tanzanite? These two gems might have similar hues, but in reality, their unique characteristics set them apart.
So, without further delay, let us explore their differences in detail…
- Colour
- Composition
- Symbolism
- Rarity
- Hardness
- Clarity
- Affordability
- Popularity
- Which One Should You Choose?
1. Colour
- Blue Sapphire: Colour plays a dominant role in influencing a sapphire’s worth. The most valued blue sapphires have a velvety and deep royal blue hue, in medium to medium-dark tones.
- Tanzanite: This is a pleochroic gem, which means it can display different colours when viewed from different angles. That said, the shades of best-quality tanzanites can range from vivid blue and purplish-blue to violetish-blue.
2. Composition
- Blue Sapphire: This precious gemstone is a variety of the mineral corundum with trace amounts of iron, chromium, titanium, vanadium, or magnesium present in its chemical composition.
- Tanzanite: This semi-precious gemstone is a variety of the mineral zoisite and has small amounts of vanadium that give the stone its beautiful colour.
3. Symbolism
- Blue Sapphire: This September birthstone has traditionally symbolized truth, sincerity, faithfulness, and nobility. Moreover, it was believed to represent eternal love, fidelity, and integrity.
- Tanzanite: It is commonly associated with wisdom and truth. Also, according to ancient legends, this gemstone was said to have the power to transform negative thoughts into positive ones.
4. Rarity
- Blue Sapphire: Fine-quality blue sapphires are rare in nature and more in demand, whereas the natural availability of this gem is much more abundant than that of the tanzanite.
- Tanzanite: This is an extremely rare gem that is only found in Tanzania. Therefore, high demand and limited availability have made tanzanites extremely valuable.
5. Hardness
- Blue Sapphire: This is where this gemstone reigns with an impressive rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes it excellent for everyday wear.
- Tanzanite: In comparison to the blue sapphire, this gemstone is less durable and has a rating of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
6. Clarity
- Blue Sapphire: Inclusions and flaws are considered a normal feature in blue sapphires.
- Tanzanite: It is interesting to note that most of the tanzanites found are eye-clean, i.e., they usually do not have flaws visible to the naked eye.
7. Affordability
- Blue Sapphire: Due to their invaluable symbolism, rich history and impeccable beauty, this gemstone is much more expensive than the tanzanite.
- Tanzanite: This gemstone is generally more expensive than other blue gems, such as the blue topaz and aquamarine. However, in comparison to the blue sapphire, the tanzanite is certainly more affordable.
8. Popularity
- Blue Sapphire: Revered for centuries and associated with aristocracy and royalty, this precious gem is undoubtedly much more popular than the tanzanite.
- Tanzanite: Limited availability and a stunning violet-blue hue have together made the tanzanite one of the most sought-after precious gems.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the blue sapphire and tanzanite are beautiful in their own ways. So while choosing, you must take your budget and personal preference into consideration. But no matter what you decide, both of these jewels are sure to be worthwhile possessions.
Good to Know
From the durability point of view, sapphire is clearly the winner. Tanzanite, on the other hand, needs more care because it isn’t as tough and also has the ‘gemstone cleavage’. This property essentially means that a hard strike will result in breakage.
If you take affordability into consideration, a tanzanite will certainly not drain your pocket the way a high-quality sapphire can. Even though a tanzanite is much rarer than a sapphire, the latter is more expensive because of its beauty and eternal association with royalty. The sapphire is also exceptionally durable which further works in its favor and makes it a popular choice for wedding jewellery and engagement rings.
Verdict
If you can’t afford sapphire jewellery and are looking for an equally beautiful alternative, then tanzanite will be a great choice. This gem is also extremely rare and found only in one place on earth – the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Due to this fact, tanzanite jewellery will be a precious possession that may not be available after a few decades.
Whether it’s sapphire or tanzanite you’ve set your heart, you’re sure to find what you love in our wide assortment of jewellery. We have pieces for every occasion, be it a casual lunch with your friends or a grand wedding party. Each ring, necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings has been carefully handcrafted to give you jewellery that’s flawless. Studded with the best-quality sapphire and tanzanite gemstones, our jewellery is sure to get you attention wherever you go. Go ahead and start exploring our blue sapphire jewellery and tanzanite jewellery collections now!
