Blue diamond VS Blue sapphire
Blue diamonds and sapphires have fascinated shoppers seeking a brilliant and colourful investment for generations. Both stones have stunning colours, are quite durable, and are extremely valuable. Furthermore, the 4 C's define the value of both diamonds and sapphires: colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight. They are also available in a variety of sizes and forms, so no matter what your budget or style preferences are, you'll find a perfect match.
Composition
Chemical composition is one of the most significant variations between blue diamonds and sapphires. A blue diamond is entirely made up of carbon. The element boron is trapped in the crystal structure, giving these stones their distinctive colour. According to PriceScope, hydrogen causes a greyish or more violet-blue colour in diamonds, whereas nitrogen impurities generate greenish-blue diamonds. Blue sapphires, on the other hand, are made of corundum, or aluminium oxide. Titanium traces give them their blue hue.
Origins
Another important distinction is the location of these stones. Blue diamonds are only discovered in a few places around the world. The majority of them were discovered in the Argyle Mine of Rio Tinto in Australia and the Cullinan Mine of Petra Diamonds in South Africa. These coloured diamonds have been discovered in smaller quantities at India's Golconda mine.
Meanwhile, sapphires (also known as the September birthstone) are mined all around the world. India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, and Africa are among them, according to the International Colored Gemstones Association. The earliest sapphires are found in Sri Lanka. Experts have discovered early indications of two large-scale occurrences of huge sapphire crystals in Tanzania in recent years.
Colour
Both blue diamonds and sapphires have a wide range of colour shades and strengths. Faint blue, very light blue, light blue, fancy light blue, fancy blue, fancy intense blue, fancy deep blue, and fancy vivid blue are the grading scales for blue diamonds. The intensity of the blue colour grows as the boron level increases.
Sapphires come in a range of colours, from a light sky blue to a deep royal blue. The more titanium there is in the sapphire, the more saturated the colour. According to The Natural Sapphire Company, sapphires with secondary colours like green or purple cannot be categorised as blue sapphires and are instead termed "fancy" colours. It's common to hear the term "cornflower blue" used to describe a sapphire of that colour, but it's crucial to remember that this is more of a marketing buzzword than an actual grading categorization.
Durability
Diamonds are the hardest mineral known to man, with a Mohs hardness of 10. As a result, diamonds are more difficult to scratch or abrade, according to Brilliant Earth. As a result, sapphires are more likely than blue diamonds to require re-polishing. However, diamonds are not totally resistant to chipping.
Sapphires have a nine on the Mohs scale, which makes them less durable than blue diamonds. That means a diamond is the only natural gemstone capable of scratching a sapphire. Sapphires are extremely resistant to surface scratching and abrasions, making them an excellent choice for regular wear.
Fire
Fire and brightness are two of the most crucial characteristics to consider while distinguishing blue diamonds from sapphires. Diamonds refract more light than sapphires, giving them a more dazzling appearance - that sparkle that draws and captivates the eye. Even if they are a little filthy on the surface, they will still sparkle and glimmer brilliantly. This, along with their rarity, is a large part of what makes them so precious and attractive.
Sapphires, of course, still glitter, but the fire isn't quite as bright because of poor light refraction. Sapphires can become slightly obscured and lose their brilliance when they become soiled.
Overall, both blue diamonds and sapphires are not only practical but also beautiful alternatives for jewellery. Blue diamonds, on the other hand, have an edge in terms of rarity, durability, and fire.