Sapphire Vs. Emerald: Which Gemstone Will You Choose?

Sapphire Vs. Emerald: Which Gemstone Will You Choose?

What Is A Sapphire?

Sapphire is a precious gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, which is an aluminium oxide. It is typically blue in colour, but can also be found in other colours such as pink, yellow, green, and orange (except red). The colour of sapphire is due to the presence of trace elements such as iron, titanium, and chromium in the mineral.

Sapphire is one of the hardest minerals, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, just below diamond. Because of its hardness and durability, sapphire gemstone has remained a popular choice for use in jewellery, watches, and other decorative objects.

TYPES OF SAPPHIRES

1. BLUE SAPPHIRE

Buy Blue Sapphire

Also known as Neelam stone, a natural blue sapphire is astrologically the fastest acting sapphire known to humans. It is recognized by its dark velvety blue hue and considered extremely valuable for its beauty, rarity, symbolism, history, and durability. From Princess Diana to Bollywood’s angry young man- Amitabh Bachchan, famous figures have placed immense trust in the powers of blue sapphire stone whenever they desired financial success. The gemstone is governed by the planet- Saturn and is often gifted as a birthstone to Makar (Capricorn) and Kumbh (Aquarius) Zodiac signs.

2. YELLOW SAPPHIRE

Buy Yellow Sapphire

Prized for its pale lemon to deep golden hues, yellow sapphire is the stone for those seeking professional prosperity, blissful matrimony, enhanced will power, and a healthy progeny. Being associated with the largest planet in the solar system Jupiter (which in Hindi is known as Dev planet). Yellow sapphire Pukhraj is also addressed by various names like- Pukhraj Ratna, Guru nag, Pushkaraj stone, Pushparagam stone, Kanakapushyaragam stone, and Peetamani in Sanskrit. Yellow Sapphire Stone is the birthstone for people born in the beginning of summer (June 21 - July 21).

3. WHITE SAPPHIRE

Buy White Sapphire

This highly transparent, colourless version of Sapphire also belongs to the sapphire family. It's a beautiful precious gemstone that displays a cloudy white look. Shvet pukhraj or Safed pukhraj is called the stone of gods in astrology for its ability to help individuals gain success in creative careers, luxurious lifestyles and more.

4. PINK SAPPHIRE

Buy Pink Sapphire

Found in stunning pale pink to vivid magenta, pink sapphires (Gulabi pukhraj in Hindi) also belong to the class of high-quality sapphires. This highly versatile gemstone is known to gemologists as the stone of love, romance, & passion. Pink sapphire stones are also relatively resistant to scratching, chipping, making them a favourite of jewellery to create stunning and unique jewellery pieces like an engagement ring.

5. GREEN SAPPHIRE

Buy Green Sapphire

Known as Safir in Hindi, Green sapphires are adored for their beauty and splendour. They are loaded with exceptional physical and metaphysical properties. Green sapphire stone represents the planet Mercury. It is known to activate and balance the Heart Chakra. Astrologers recommend this green sapphire for people who have a strong influence on Mercury in their horoscope. Green neelam stone is also worn for healing purposes and is generally considered good for Mithun (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo) Rashi.

6. ORANGE SAPPHIRE

Buy Orange Sapphire

The September birthstone orange sapphire is a rich vibrant member of the corundum mineral family that hails from Africa, Australia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the US. with the ability to mesmerise its onlookers with its deep reddish-orange hues, orange sapphire gemstone is highly sought after by those who want to make a statement with their jewellery.

What is Emerald?

Emerald stone is a precious gemstone variety of the mineral beryl, which is a cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6. It is known for its rich green colour, which is due to the presence of chromium and vanadium in the mineral. The intensity and hue of this May birthstone depends on the specific concentration of these elements, as well as on the presence of other impurities in the crystal.

Also called Panna stone (in Hindi) emerald gemstone is highly valued for its beauty and rarity all around the world and is considered one of the traditional "big four" gemstones along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. They are often cut into facets to enhance their lustre and brilliance, and are used in high-end jewellery such as rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Buy Emerald Stone

Sapphire vs. Emerald Gemstones

Green emerald stone is a precious gemstone variety of the mineral beryl, known for its green colour due to the presence of chromium and vanadium. Sapphire, on the other hand, is a precious gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, known for its blue colour but also found in other colours such as pink, yellow, green, and orange.

Let’s understand their differences one by one:

Physical Differences Between Natural Emerald Stone and Natural Blue Sapphire

Geographical Difference Between Sapphires vs. Emerald

Sapphire Stone: The most productive sources of sapphires are Srilanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and the United States (specifically Montana).

• Madagascar: Produces high-quality blue and pink sapphires
• Sri Lanka: Produces high-quality blue, yellow and pink sapphires
• Myanmar: Produces rare and highly prized "pigeon's blood" ruby-red sapphires.
• Thailand: Famous for producing a wide range of sapphires, including blue, yellow, green, and pink varieties.
• Australia: Popular as producer of a wide range of sapphires, including blue, green, yellow, and black. The most famous sapphire mine in Australia is the "Big Hole" in Queensland.

Emeralds Green: The major producers of emeralds are Colmbia and Zambia, but the panna stone can also be found in other countries including Brazil (Minas Gerais region), Zambia, Afghanistan (Panjshir Valley), Pakistan (Swat Valley region), Russia (the Ural Mountains), and Zimbabwe.

• Colombia: Produces 70% of the world’s emerald stone
• Zambia: Second largest producer of panna ratna
• Brazil: Brazilian emeralds are typically lighter in colour than Colombian or Zambian emeralds.

Panna Stone Price vs. Sapphire Stone Price

The value of a sapphire stone and emerald gemstone vary widely depending on several factors, including the quality of the stone, its size, and its origin. However sapphires are relatively more expensive than emeralds. While there are other parameters such as cut, clarity, jewellery design, etc that greatly impact the sapphire vs emerald value. But to give you an overall idea, here is a chart:

• Blue sapphire: Neelam stone can be bought at a price range of INR 2,500 ($ 30.50) per carat to INR 2,00,000 ($ 2439.83 ) plus per carat. In sapphires, origin is the biggest price determining factor. For example, Kashmir blue sapphire (known as the top origin sapphire) may be found at starting prices of INR 50,000 ($ 609.96 ) per carat to anywhere as high as INR 5,00,00 ($ 6099.58 ) per carat.
• Yellow sapphire: Relatively affordable, peela pukhraj can be bought at starting price INR 2500 ($ 30.50) per carat to INR 40000 ($ 487.97 ) per carat. Srilankan yellow sapphire is the top-grade yellow sapphire which usually cost around INR 15,000 ($182.99 ) per carat to INR 30,000 ($ 365.98) per carat.
• White Sapphire: Generally, White Pukhraj stone price starts from INR 5,000 ($ 61.00) per carat and goes up to INR 80,000 ($ 975.93 ) per carat.
• Pink Sapphire: Based on their colour, natural pink sapphire price in India can start from INR 3,500 ($ 42.70 approx.) per carat to as high as INR 40,000 ($ 487.97) per carat.
• Green Sapphire: Safir price per carat can start from INR 6,000 ($ 73.20) per carat and goes up to INR 80,000 ($ 975.93) per carat and even more.

Emerald Stone Price: Owing to superior colour quality, an original emerald stone price can cost anywhere between INR 3,200 ($ 39.04 ) to INR 2,00,000 ($ 2439.83) per carat. Of all the origins, Colombian and Zambian emeralds are quite popular. They can fetch anywhere between INR 2,700 ($ 32.94 ) and INR 1,50,000 ($ 1829.88) per carat. Brazilian emeralds are relatively affordable.

Read Also - Difference Between Colombian Emerald vs. Zambian Emerald

Difference Between Blue Sapphire vs Emerald In Astrology

Although neelam stone and panna stone are magical gemstones with astronomical value, each of them has its own significance and symbolism within astrology. They are poles apart from each other when it comes to their astrological benefits.

• Blue sapphire: Neelam or Blue Sapphire is associated with the planet Saturn (Shani). It is believed to have a powerful impact on the wearer's mental and physical health, as well as on their overall life and destiny. Neelam is known to have a calming effect on the mind, which can help in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It is also believed to enhance intuition, clarity of thought, and decision-making ability.
• Emerald: Panna or Emerald, on the other hand, is associated with the planet Mercury (Budh). It is believed to have a positive impact on the wearer's intellect, communication skills, and creativity. Panna is also said to improve memory, concentration, and overall mental agility. It is often recommended for people who are involved in professions that require good communication skills, such as teaching, writing, or public speaking.

Read Also - Different Color Varieties of Sapphire Jewelry

WHERE TO FIND GENUINE EMERALD AND SAPPHIRE STONES?

GemPundit is a leading provider of 100% natural and original emerald and sapphire jewellery. We always advise our customers to purchase gemstones from trusted sources and consult a professional gemstone lab to deduce the authenticity of the gemstones. The certificates issued by these labs ensure the authenticity of these gemstones, which further implies that you pay the actual price for them.

GemPundit’s expert astrologers recommend gemstones that suit your needs based on your birth details and zodiac sign. Our expert gem consultants offer 24x7 customer support to meet the needs of our customers and to provide the best service possible. For quick and accurate astrological gem recommendations, you can also get assistance through our Free Gem Recommendation Tool. Or book our Astro Consultation Service now.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the primary differences between sapphires and emeralds?

Sapphires are usually known for their known radiant blue color, though they come in various shades. Whereas, emeralds are celebrated for their deep green color. A huge difference between Emeralds and sapphires is that emeralds are softer than sapphires which makes sapphire more durable and best for jewelry purposes.

2. Are sapphires generally more durable than emeralds?

Yes, sapphires are ranked 9 on Mohs scale of hardness whereas Emeralds are ranked 7.5 to 8 which makes them less durable than sapphires.

3. Are sapphires or emeralds more valuable?

Defining whether sapphires or emeralds are more valuable depends on various factors including color, cut, clarity, and quality. Typically emeralds are considered more valuable than sapphires due to their high-quality and rarity.

4. What astrological meanings are linked to Sapphire and Emerald?

Sapphires, specifically blue sapphires, are connected to the planet Saturn and are believed to enhance wisdom, discipline, and mental clarity. However, Emeralds are associated with the planet Mercury and are recommended to enhance intellect, communication, and creativity.