Part of the ‘Big Four Gems Group,’ sapphire and emerald are both precious gemstones that feature in the crown jewels. Both gems are stunning and equally valuable in their own right. It would certainly be a dream come true to own sapphire and emerald; but if you could pick only one, which gem would you choose?
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Cheque out our comparative analysis to help you learn more about these precious gemstones and make the right choice.
Emerald vs Sapphire: Key Differences
What Are the Main Differences Between Emerald and Sapphire?
1. Composition
Sapphire belongs to the corundum mineral family and is composed of aluminium and oxygen. Emerald is a variety of beryl and contains some traces of chromium that lends it its rich green hue.
2. Brilliance & Fire
Brilliance is the amount of white light that a gem reflects and is measured in terms of the refractive index. The refractive index of sapphire is between 1.76 to 1.77 while an emerald has a refractive index of 1.57 to 1.58. Therefore, a sapphire exudes more brilliance compared to an emerald.
Angara says: Wondering how to tell if an emerald is real or fake? While a real emerald does have brilliance, it has very dull or no fire (coloured sparkle).
3. History, Lore and Symbolism
Sapphire, a gem that has wowed the world for ages, gets its name from the Greek word ‘sappheiros.’ Loved by royalty, this gem was believed to attract blessings and foster peace. It was also said to symbolize faith and hope. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that blue sapphire offered protection.
This gem also has biblical significance – Historians stated that the Ten Commandments were written on sapphire tablets. Today, sapphire represents loyalty, wisdom, trust and good luck.
Angara says: Love Princess Diana’s famous blue sapphire ring? You can get a lookalike now –
Once part of Cleopatra’s royal jewel collection, the emerald has fascinated the world for centuries. This gem is a symbol of rebirth, good fortune, youth and growth. There are many interesting legends associated with this gemstone. The Incas used emeralds in their religious rituals.
In Rome, Emperor Nero would watch gladiator fights through an emerald as the gemstone offered a soothing effect. Some cultures also believed that emerald kept one safe from evil, whereas the Greeks associated this gem with Venus, the goddess of love.
Angara says: Since emerald is known for true love and new beginnings, it would be a splendid choice to propose to your partner with an emerald ring.
4. Birthstone & Zodiac Sign
Blue and pink sapphires are the birthstones for September. Blue sapphire is also known as the Virgo birthstone. What’s more, sapphires in all colours are the traditional gemstones for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. Blue sapphire is associated with the 10th and 51st anniversaries while yellow sapphire is the gemstone for the 7th wedding anniversary.
The ‘Gem of Spring,’ Emerald, is the official birthstone for May as well as the Taurus zodiac sign. This enchanting gem is also associated with milestones such as the 20th, 35th and 55th wedding anniversaries.
5. Clarity
Sapphires usually have inclusions or flaws caused by gases or liquids. Other types of inclusions such as colour zoning and cavities may affect the clarity of a natural sapphire. Emeralds are known to have eye-visible, garden-like inclusions also known as ‘jardin.’
6. Gemological Phenomenon
Some sapphires are pleochroic, which means they exude different colours when tilted at different angles. Furthermore, some sapphires also exhibit colour change and display a different hue under incandescent light. While there’s no gemological phenomenon associated with emeralds, even high-quality emeralds have very fine, natural inclusions.
7. Pricing
When it comes to emerald vs sapphire price, sapphire can be more expensive than emerald. The price for good quality sapphires starts at $450 and can go well above $1600 for a carat. Of all the sapphire hues, blue and the rare padparadscha sapphire are the most expensive varieties.
A good quality emerald is typically priced between $525 to $1125per carat.8. Cut Sapphires are usually available in round, oval and cushion-cut as they emphasize the sparkle of the gem.
Other popular shapes for sapphire include pear and heart. Although emerald comes in round, oval and pear shapes, the emerald cut is the most popular cut for emeralds and was intended especially for this gemstone. It protects the emerald from chipping and highlights the rich colour and saturation of this gem.
9. Hardness
Sapphire is rated 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness while emerald has a rating of 7.5 to 8.
Angara says: Sapphire is the second hardest substance known to man, after the diamond.
Hence, it is extremely popular when it comes to everyday jewellery.
Good To Know:
The presence of inclusions/flaws in emeralds does impact its hardness, leaving this gem more susceptible to damage.
Therefore, always ensure that an emerald is protected from rough impact and swift temperature changes.
Why Should You Buy Sapphire?
Its rainbow of colours, durability and sparkle make sapphire a sought-after gem.
That’s not all, this gem is a symbol of luxury, good fortune, royalty and trust. Thanks to its amazing toughness, jewellery pieces adorned with sapphires are perfect to flaunt every day. Looking for some stunning sapphire pieces to add to your jewellery box?
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Why Should You Buy Emerald?
Emerald is a must-have, thanks to its lush and vivid green hue. This gem is also symbolic of abundance, rejuvenation and peace. And when set in jewellery, the emerald takes on a charm of its own. After all, who wouldn’t want to own an ancient and eye-catching gem that dates back to 330 BC? Wish to flaunt a gem that was once Cleopatra’s favourite?
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Verdict:
Flawless emeralds and sapphires do exist, but they’re extremely rare and come with jaw-dropping price tags. With a sapphire, however, you get the option to choose from a variety of beautiful colours. Blue and salmon (padparadscha sapphire) are the most popular hues; hence they’re the most expensive. But you can also take your pick from other colours such as pink, yellow and green if you’re looking for something more affordable.
Another factor that works in favor of sapphires is their hardness. With a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, this gem comes second only to diamonds in terms of strength and durability. This is one of the reasons why it is frequently chosen for engagement and wedding jewellery.
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. But no matter what you choose, both emerald and sapphire will be priceless treasures that you will forever cherish.
Where Should You Buy GIA-Certified Sapphire or Emerald Jewellery From?
You can shop for GIA-certified sapphire and emerald jewellery at Angara online. All our GIA-certified pieces include a certification from the Gemological Institute of America, widely trusted for its authentic grading of gemstones. This certificate tells you everything you need to know about the gemstone such as its origin, colour, shape, treatment, carat weight and other important characteristics.
Angara’s Collection of Sapphire and Emerald Jewellery
At Angara, we bring to you an impressive collection of emerald and sapphire jewellery.
You can get your hands on meticulously handcrafted rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces and bracelets embellished with charming sapphires and captivating emeralds. We also offer sapphire and emerald jewellery in classic and contemporary designs like solitaire, two- and three-stone, vintage-inspired, halo, infinity and so many more.
When you shop at Angara, you also get to customise each piece by choosing the metal, gemstone carat weight and quality grade that match your taste and budget. So, what are you waiting for?
FAQ
1. Which is more valuable, emerald or sapphire?
Both these precious gemstones are valuable in their own right. Sapphire is valued for its durability, brilliance and stunning hues. Rarer than sapphire, emerald is valued for its rich colour and symbolism.
2. Is emerald more expensive, or sapphire?
Sapphire is more expensive than emerald, with the best quality sapphires costing more than $10,000 per carat.
3. Which gemstone is better; ruby, sapphire or emerald?
It depends on personal preference, as all three gemstones are precious and have exceptional characteristics. They are known for their stunning hues and enchanting symbolism. That’s not all, ruby and sapphire are extremely durable while emerald, too, is a fairly strong gem.
