Blue Gemstones

The most prized blue gemstones include blue sapphire, aquamarine, blue spinel, tanzanite, blue tourmaline, and Cambodian blue zircon. Each of these gems showcases a range of blue shades, from delicate sky blue to deep royal blue hues, making them a sought-after choice for fine jewellery.

Each blue gemstone offers unique properties that influence its suitability for jewellery. The Mohs hardness scale determines surface durability, with harder stones being more resistant to scratches. Ranked from hardest to softest, these gemstones include blue sapphire (9), blue spinel (8), aquamarine (8), blue tourmaline (7.5), Cambodian blue zircon (7.5) and tanzanite (6.5). Sapphire remains the most popular blue gemstone for jewellery due to its exceptional hardness and longevity, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear, particularly for engagement rings.

Absolutely! Blue gemstones make a perfect choice for engagement rings, offering a blend of elegance and individuality. From the timeless appeal of blue sapphire to the striking violet-blue of tanzanite, these gems create sophisticated jewellery designs. Blue sapphire is the most preferred choice for engagement rings due to its durability, while blue spinel and aquamarine provide alternative options with unique character and charm.

Royal blue sapphires, with excellent clarity and colour saturation, command the highest prices in the blue gemstone market. The royal blue hue is the most desirable, sought for its velvety deep blue with vivid saturation. It is synonymous with British royalty and regularly adorns court jewels.

Cobalt blue spinel is another rare and valuable blue gemstone. Naturally vibrant and intense in hue, cobalt spinel can rival fine sapphires in appearance and price. To be classed as a cobalt blue, the spinel must contain trace elements of cobalt, which can only be verified in a gemological laboratory.

Paraiba tourmaline, from Brazil, is the most valuable blue gemstone on the market today. Known for its striking neon-like "Windex blue" hue caused by trace amounts of copper, it is a true rarity in the gemstone world. Fine Paraiba tourmalines (from Brazil) fetch prices of $30,000 to $50,000 USD per carat, exceeding top-quality sapphires.

Five birthstones come in blue colour options. March's birthstone is aquamarine, September's birthstone is blue sapphire, and December's birthstone is blue zircon. These gemstones form part of the traditional birthstone list, which has been used for centuries and is rooted in ancient customs and beliefs.

October's birthstone is (blue) tourmaline, and December's birthstone also includes tanzanite. These blue gemstones were added to the modern birthstone list in the 20th century to reflect a wider variety of available gemstones and complement traditional options, giving more choice to gem lovers.

The rarest blue gemstone is Brazilian-origin Paraiba tourmaline in a vivid windex blue. This highly coveted gem owes its electric colour to copper traces and is mined in limited quantities. Due to its scarcity and high demand, Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline commands some of the highest prices in the gemstone market.

Blue has long been associated with serenity and wisdom. Blue gemstones are believed to promote calmness, communication, and clarity of thought. Traditionally, they symbolise loyalty and trust, making them a meaningful choice for sentimental and heirloom jewellery.

Certain blue gemstones, such as sapphire and spinel, can be lab-created, making it essential to confirm authenticity before purchasing. To ensure you're acquiring a natural blue gemstone, always buy from a trusted source and request certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. This guarantees that your gemstone is an authentic, Earth-formed treasure of genuine value.