Blue is a color synonymous with royalty. And so are the gemstones that leave no stone unturned in displaying this beloved hue at best. Yes, we’re speaking about Blue Sapphire & Tanzanite (working that out came easy, right?)
But as much as you are head over heels in love with these two beauties in blue, what if you were to choose a favorite between them- a gemstone that just speaks better to you? Okay hold on, we understand that it is anything but an easy choice to make.
No worries! To the rescue, experts at Rosec are by your side to walk you through the process by acquainting you with pretty much everything that you need to know to set these two one of a kind gemstones apart. So, let’s cut straight to the chase & head to the ultimate showdown- Blue Sapphire Vs Tanzanite to help you make a more informed choice!
Tanzanite vs Blue Sapphire: The Final Showdown
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Hue
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Blue Sapphire- just like the name itself suggests- comes in the most royal shades of blue.
Tanzanite, unlike any other blue gemstone (let alone Sapphire), is pleochroic, which suggests that it displays three different colors, i.e., blue, violet, & burgundy when held against different light sources & angles.
The most prized Blue Sapphires in the market today captivate with their intense, velvety blue hue, that is best brought out by medium to dark tones.
Vivid blue complemented by a faint shade of purple is hands down the most desirable color of this exotic gemstone.
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Chemical Composition
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Blue Sapphire, just like its companion-Ruby, belongs to the corundum family of minerals.
Though initially confused for a Sapphire, Tanzanite is a renowned member of the Zoisite family of minerals.
It boasts the presence of trace amounts of iron, vanadium, titanium, and chromium. The elements of iron & titanium gift the Sapphire its unique hue.
It owes its color to the trace elements of Vanadium present in its composition.
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Durability
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Blue Sapphire is only surpassed by Diamond when we speak of the durability. Thus, it can easily withstand the wear & tear of regular wear with much ease.
Tanzanite, on the other hand, though considerably tough, is not as durable as its blue counterpart- Sapphire. But that should not be a point of worry if you’re subjecting it to the right TLC.
Blue Sapphire owes its durability to its impressive hardness rating, i.e., 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale.
Tanzanite strikes an above par hardness rating of 6 to 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale.
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Clarity
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Sapphires are typically known for possessing imperfections in their most raw state. You’d hardly find the ones devoid of any inclusions.
When it comes to clarity, Tanzanite sure gets the bigger piece of the cake since most Tanzanite that you’ll come across in the market today are eye-clean.
The most common kind of inclusions that you’ll get to witness in a Blue Sapphire are mineral inclusions such as needles.
The standard inclusions that a Tanzanite boasts are graphite, calcite, actinolite, and diopside.
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Rarity
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Blue Sapphires are abundantly mined all across the globe today with Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam leading as the top producers.
The mining of Tanzanite, on the other hand, is extremely rare. In fact, it is native to only one mining source, i.e., the foothills of the Mount Kilimanjaro of Tanzania (which is where it gets its prestigious name from)
The finest quality Blue Sapphires (that fetch the most value) though quite rare but are nowhere close to the rarity of Tanzanite.
Tanzanite is rare to an extent that the conditions that led to its formation are considered next to impossible to be re-created. Moreover, some gemologists suggest that this exotic gemstone would be entirely depleted in the next 25 to 30 years.
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Affordability
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Blue Sapphire is classified in the prestigious category of precious gemstones. So naturally, it is more expensive than all of its blue counterparts including Tanzanite.
Tanzanite belongs to the family of semi-precious gemstones. Although it is, hands down, one of the rarest gemstones in the market today, which has a direct influence on its price, making it more expensive than Blue Topaz & Aquamarine but it still is far more affordable than Blue Sapphire.
The standard price of best quality Sapphires ranges between $800 to $1200 per carat.
Typically, premium quality Tanzanite cost anywhere between $300 to $425 per carat.
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Symbolism
Blue Sapphire Tanzanite Since times immemorial, Blue Sapphire is revered as a symbol of loyalty, faith, devotion, calmness, serenity, and spirituality.
True to its divine hue, Tanzanite is known to nurture inner consciousness, calmness, & psychic abilities, and dissolve old patterns.
Sapphire or Tanzanite: Which Blue Gemstone is right for you?
Everything said and done, choosing the right gemstone ultimately boils down to your personal preferences. Prioritize the factors that are most important to you & see which blue gemstone checks all the right boxes. For instance, if you’re looking for a gem that is significantly rare but affordable at the same time, Tanzanite wins the battle for you. However, if it is durability, the status of precious gemstone, & association with royalty that speaks more to you, you won’t regret getting your hands on a Blue Sapphire.
Parting Note
There is a whole galaxy of Blue Gemstones out there with Blue Sapphires & Tanzanite leading the pack. But as much as you admire these two blue beauties, their uncanny resemblance is bound to put you in a tough spot when you set you to purchase the perfect one for you.
However, to end the dilemma once & for all, we have boiled it all down to some key differentiating points in the ultimate showdown: Sapphire vs Tanzanite to help you set the two gemstones apart & make a more informed choice.
We’re certain that you’ll go away from here a lot more decisive & confident about which blue gem wins the battle for you. Thank you for sticking with us right till the end. Stay tuned with us to delve deeper into the world of gemstone jewelry.
