If you’re looking for a blue stone, you’ll likely stumble across sapphires and blue diamonds and have difficulty deciding between the two. Blue diamonds and sapphires fall in the precious gemstone category, and both come in various blue shades and hues. However, there are some significant differences between blue diamonds and sapphires. So how do these stones differ?
Blue diamonds are much harder than sapphires. They also have a fire, which sapphires don’t have. However, blue diamonds and sapphires come in various cuts and shades of blue. Blue diamonds are more expensive than sapphires, and sapphires often have more inclusions than blue diamonds.
Although sapphires aren’t as valuable as blue diamonds, they are still exquisite and expensive gemstones. To help you understand the difference between a blue diamond and a blue sapphire, we will compare these stones in various categories.
How Do Sapphires And Blue Diamonds Differ?
Although blue diamonds and sapphires are both blue or blueish precious stones, there are quite a few differences between them. We will discuss the many differences between blue diamonds and sapphires. We’ll also consider how these stones are alike.
Blue diamonds differ in physical composition, color, fire, scarcity, and price. To understand what makes blue diamonds and sapphires different, you must consider all these aspects. These are the differences between blue diamonds and sapphires.
1. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Physical Composition
The first difference between blue diamonds and sapphires is their physical composition. Diamonds are made from pure carbon. Blue diamonds have tiny particles of hydrogen or nitrogen that account for the blue, purple, green, or grey color. While these minerals are called impurities, they don’t negatively affect the structure of a blue diamond and only alter the diamond’s color.
Sapphires are made from aluminum oxide or corundum. Sapphires also come in different colors, and the presence of titanium often causes a blue color in sapphires. Like in diamonds, the titanium elements don’t alter the sapphire’s structure. Instead, it only alters the color of the stone.
2. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Durability
One significant difference between blue diamonds and sapphires is durability. As you may well know, diamonds are extremely hard and durable. A diamond scores a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs scale (a scale that determines the hardness of a mineral). This means that blue diamonds won’t scratch or fade and are perfect for everyday wear.
On the other hand, sapphires have a Mohs scale rating of 9 out of ten, making them slightly less durable than diamonds. As a result, it’s more common to find slight inclusions in sapphires than in diamonds. However, sapphires are still highly durable and perfect for everyday wear.
Diamonds have fewer inclusions than sapphires. However, inclusions in a diamond affect its quality much more than in a sapphire, as it influences the fire and overall beauty of a blue diamond more than a sapphire.
3. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Color
Sapphires and blue diamonds come in various blue, green, and purple hues. Blue diamonds often come in shades of blue and grey, while sapphires are primarily in blue and green shades. Both sapphires and diamonds are beautiful, and the deeper the color, the more precious the stone.
One difference between the color of a blue diamond and a sapphire becomes clearer when we talk about their fire. Fire refers to the light refracted in a stone. In this case, blue diamonds refract much more light than sapphires. As a result, they have more fire and instantly attract one’s attention.
Sapphires also refract light. However, they don’t refract the same amount of light or the same colors as a blue diamond. When comparing a blue diamond and a sapphire side by side, you will see the difference in the brilliance of the two stones. However, one isn’t necessarily more beautiful than the other.
4. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Scarcity
Blue diamonds are much rarer than sapphires. In addition, they have become harder to find in recent years, making them far more valuable than many other stones, including sapphires. Sapphires are still a rare stone. However, they aren’t as rare as blue diamonds. In addition, finding a blue diamond with a deep blue color is even harder to come by.
Although sapphires aren’t as scarce as blue diamonds, they are still highly prized and valuable stones. Therefore, you cannot go wrong when investing in blue sapphire. However, when choosing between the two, it’ll ultimately come down to the price difference.
5. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Price
As you can imagine, because of the scarcity of blue diamonds, they are much more expensive than sapphires. The cut, clarity, carat weight, and color of a blue diamond all influence its price. Blue diamonds have become more expensive because of their growing scarcity. Therefore, a large blue diamond with tiny inclusion is precious and extremely expensive.
The color of a blue diamond influences the price somewhat. However, as blue diamonds are so rare, any variation of the color is valuable and expensive.
Sapphires aren’t nearly as expensive as blue diamonds. However, they are more expensive than clear diamonds and highly prized stones. When considering the price of sapphire, you must consider its cut, carat weight, and color. The most valuable and expensive sapphires have a velvety blue color. These sapphires are often more expensive than those with a duller blue color.
6. Blue Diamond Vs. Sapphire: Value Growth
The value growth is the final consideration when comparing a sapphire or a blue diamond. Because blue diamonds are so rare, they also experience higher value growth. Therefore, if you buy a blue diamond, you can feel assured that the diamond will have a steady value growth, especially if they continue to become harder to find.
Sapphires are also precious and will continue to increase in value with time. While they may not see the same value growth as blue diamonds, they will experience some value growth and are therefore a secure investment.
Should You Buy A Blue Diamond Or Sapphire
Your budget will probably be the biggest consideration when deciding between a diamond or sapphire. If your budget can only allow for a sapphire, try to find one with a deeper blue color and fewer inclusions. However, we recommend opting for a blue diamond if you have a slightly bigger budget. Even one with more inclusions and a smaller size has more value than sapphire and will see more value growth.
Ultimately, you cannot go wrong when choosing either a blue diamond or a sapphire. Both stones are beautiful, valuable, durable, and will grow in value. Of course, blue diamonds and sapphires have many differences, but both are beautiful stones.
Conclusion
Sapphires and blue diamonds both have a blue color. While blue diamonds are made from carbon, sapphires are made of corundum or aluminum oxide. Blue diamonds are slightly more durable than sapphires. However, both stones are perfect for everyday wear.
Blue diamonds are scarcer and more expensive than sapphires. Therefore, they will also have more value growth. On the contrary, sapphires are more affordable and are just as beautiful as blue diamonds, making them a more affordable alternative.
