...And the Brilliant Blues

A pop of royal blue or lush violet adds instant glamour to any look. Blue sapphire is likely what comes to mind when we envision this stunning color, but Tanzanite also packs a bright blue punch. So when it comes to gems, which go-to blue to go for? 

First, let’s talk about the differences between the two stones.

The word Sapphire is derived from the Greek word ‘sappheiros’, meaning, you guessed it, blue! It dates back to at least the 7th century where they were thought to have many powers, including guarding against poverty & stimulating intellect.  Blue sapphire is an intense, highly saturated stone, so its coveted deep blue occurs naturally, with no alterations. It is also super hard & highly durable, giving it the trifecta of supreme quality & value. It has the unique ability to change colors in different lighting, providing unparalleled luster & sparkle. 

Tanzanite, on the other hand, is a relatively newly discovered gem, and was actually named by Tiffany & Co. for Tanzania, its country of origin. Noted for its remarkably strong prisms, it can appear alternately sapphire blue, violet and burgundy, depending on crystal orientation.  Tanzanite can also appear differently when viewed in different lighting, with the violet or blue hue appearing more evident depending on different illumination. Tanzanite is not actually blue however. Brownish by nature, it requires heat to bring out that desirable blue violet hue. It’s also a softer stone, so care is required to prevent scratching.

You may be thinking that blue sapphire would be the obvious choice here, but Tanzanite’s desirability is its price, which is more affordable than blue sapphire, & its rarity, as it only exists in one region of mountainous Tanzania.

Now you know your blues! So which to choose? If you want that deep blue look without the sapphire price Tanzanite is an excellent option with a definite wow factor. If you’re looking for historical significance, higher quality due to hardness and willing to pay the price premium opt the blue sapphire, & own a piece of timeless glamour. The price will differ on the two about 20-30% depending on the hue and size of the stones.  Sapphires tend to be graded similar to diamonds where Tanzanite is on a less stringent scale.  Between us ladies, a Tanzanite and Sapphire in the same hue are nearly indistinguishable to the best of them.  Points if you could tell which one the photo was of? And Find out here what the mystery necklace was or check out our entire collection of Tanzanite here

Boast those brilliant blues, and be the belle of the ball!