Is Blue Aquamarine The Best Alternative To Blue Sapphire?

Are you looking for a piece of blue gemstone jewelry but don’t know which one to choose?

Don’t you worry, we’re here to end your dilemma! 

When it comes to choosing between blue gemstones, it doesn’t get better than an icy blue aquamarine or a royal blue sapphire! The extraordinary gemstones are the true blues that you must have in your vanity!

The icy-blue aquamarine is the only gemstone that has a color named after it. The word aquamarine has Latin roots and it means ‘seawater’. This exquisite gem comes in shades of pale blue to greenish-blue hues. Aquamarine is a symbol of youth, happiness, and tranquility. Ancient Romans believed that aquamarine protected sailors traveling across the sea. 

The royal blue sapphire is one of the most precious gemstones in the world. Sapphire has gained tremendous popularity ever since the engagement of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton and Prince William. Sapphire is known to protect its wearer from evil and bring good luck. 

Which shade of blue is perfect for you? Let’s find out based on various parameters!

	Aquamarine	Sapphire
Mineral	Beryl	Corundum
Color	Icy blue to light greenish-blue color	Known for its rich blue color but also available in a variety of different shades like yellow, pink, white, etc.
Mohs Scale of Hardness	8/10 – Durable and resistant to scratches	9/10 – Hardest color gemstone, highly durable.
Symbolism	Aquamarine is an emblem of tranquility, serenity, and calmness.	Sapphire is a symbol of wealth, success, love, and good health.
Clarity	Aquamarine displays amazing clarity with minimal inclusions and fractures.	It is common to find inclusions in sapphires.
Origin	Aquamarine can be found all over the world. Afghanistan, China, Australia, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, etc are some of the locations where aquamarines can be mined.	Sapphire can be mined in places like – Kashmir, Ceylon,  Burma, Madagascar, Thailand, Australia, and many more locations.
Affordability	Aquamarine when compared to sapphire is economical and offers an excellent value	Natural sapphires are very rare to find and hence highly expensive
Treatments	To enhance the color of the gemstone, heat treatment is given to aquamarine gemstone	Sapphires go through heat treatments for color enhancement or to improve their clarity
Birthstone Month	March	September

Considering all the factors, both sapphire and aquamarine tend to stand out! Both the gemstones are highly durable. The toughness of these gemstones allows them to be used in everyday jewelry. If you’re looking for a blue engagement ring or any other blue jewelry and running on a tight budget,  then aquamarine is the finest choice! 

Verdict – 

Aquamarine and sapphire both have their pros and cons. 

In the battle of the blues who do you think is the winner?

The March birthstone is the only gem that has a color named after it. Even though aquamarine is not as popular as a sapphire it has surely gained popularity among the brides-to-be. The ravishing icy blue gemstone portrays the serenity of the ocean with flawless clarity and an economical price range, making it a go-to gem for your blue jewelry.

 

 

Sapphire is the hardest color gemstone in the world (alongside ruby). The September birthstone is highly sought-after among gem aficionados. Sapphire commands a high price because of its beauty and rarity, affecting your budget slightly. But the beauty sapphire exhibits and the meaning it represents are unmatched!  

Both the gemstones are equally stunning and deserve a place in your vanity. However, if you’re looking for a gemstone in an economical price range, aquamarine is the gemstone for you! And guess what? It makes for the best substitute of sapphires too!

Where to buy aquamarine? GemsNY is your calling!

GemsNY has the finest collection of aquamarine and sapphire jewelry. So go all out and choose the perfect jewelry for her. We have 50,000+ natural gemstones in different shapes and sizes to choose from.