The cosmos of gemstones are packed with jaw-dropping marvels but only a few gems captivate the imagination quite like blue sapphire and lapis lazuli. Best known for their rich, striking, and saturated blue hues, these gemstones possess a kind of charm, beauty, and timeless appeal that has enthralled people for millennia. Both stones exhibit a range of blue hues ranging from light sky tones to deep and enigmatic blue shades. However, their properties and histories set them apart in meaningful ways.
Blue sapphire, with its superior hardness and astonishing brilliance, has a majestic appeal befitting the gem of royalty that it is. On the other hand, lapis lazuli’s muted sheen and golden pyrite inclusions evoke the mystery of the ancient world from which it came. Though different in geological formation, astrological significance, and aesthetics, both stones share a symbolic meaning of wisdom, intuition, and vision.
This makes them highly sought after not just for jewelry, but for meditation, spiritual work, and almost all recreational activities. With their beauty and value, blue sapphire and lapis lazuli continue to entice and delight gem aficionados today as they have for ages past. In this brief overview, we will explore the Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli’s differences, what makes each stone unique, and the allure that has made them prized jewels throughout history.
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Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Major Differences
To make a comprehensive comparison between Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli, we have considered numerous vital pointers like origin, color, physical properties, hardness, price, astrological value, and popularity as comparison basis and make the differentiation more rational and lucid. Let’s get started!
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Origin
Blue sapphire and lapis lazuli are two highly distinct and sought-after gemstones with different origins and compositions.
Blue sapphire is one of the most hailed and valuable precious gemstones belonging to the corundum mineral family and with the basic chemical formula Al2O3. Natural Neelam stones are typically formed in metamorphic rocks under high pressure and temperature conditions and they are primarily sourced from various regions worldwide, including countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Australia. However, Ceylon blue sapphires are recognized as the best quality sapphires throughout the globe.
Lapis lazuli, on the other hand, is a deep blue metamorphic rock that is prized for its intense color. It is primarily composed of minerals such as lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. Lapis lazuli is often found in limestone caves, and it has been historically mined in places such as Afghanistan, Russia, and Chile.
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Color
Blue sapphire is widely acknowledged for having a saturated blue color ranging from light to dark blue. The most desirable and valuable blue sapphires have a vivid medium-dark blue color with minimal natural inclusions and no color zoning.
Lapis lazuli has a slightly more grayish or greenish-blue color compared to blue sapphire. It also often contains white calcite veins and flecks of pyrite that give it a more varied appearance.
The blue color in sapphires comes from trace amounts of iron and titanium. The slight increment in these components alters color to a great extent. On the other hand, Lapis Lazuli gets its blue color from the mineral lazurite. The differing compositions of Lazurite lead to slightly different hues.
Blue sapphire typically does not display color zoning or change in tone across the stone. Lapis often exhibit variations in saturation and value from lighter to darker blue within the same stone. The best quality blue sapphires have a highly consistent primary blue color throughout the stone. Lower grades of blue sapphire may show secondary gray or green hues. In lapis lazuli stone, the blue is interspersed with white veins and gold flecks.
When Viewed under magnification glasses, fine blue sapphire gemstones show pure blue color. Lapis lazuli shows a mix of minerals – blue lazurite, white calcite, and brass-colored pyrite.
Don’t Forget to Check: – Benefits of Neelam Stone
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Physical Properties
Blue sapphire:
Hardness: Blue sapphire is one of the hardest and one of the most durable gemstones with a ranking of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness This ranking makes it one of the hardest gemstones available and the least prone to scratches or damage. Its exceptional hardness makes it suitable for use in various types of expensive jewelry pieces.
Luster: Original Neelam stone typically exhibits a vitreous luster, giving it a brilliant shine when cut and polished.
Transparency: Blue sapphire can be transparent to translucent, allowing light to pass through and enhancing its lustrous appearance depending upon the quality of the gemstone.
Color: It is known for its rich and intense blue color, although it can also be found in various shades, including violet, green, and yellow, depending on the trace elements present during its formation.
Lapis lazuli:
Hardness: Lapis lazuli is relatively softer compared to blue sapphire, with a hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. While it is suitable for use in affordable jewelry, it is more susceptible to scratches and abrasions.
Luster: It typically exhibits a dull to waxy luster which can be enhanced through polishing and waxing.
Transparency: Lapis lazuli is generally opaque in nature which means light does not pass through it. Moreover, it lacks the transparency seen in blue sapphire.
Color: This stone is characterized by its deep blue color, often with golden flecks of pyrite and whitish veins of calcite, giving it a unique and characteristic appearance.
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Hardness
Sapphires have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale which is very high. This extreme hardness of blue sapphires makes them extremely durable and well-suited for the most expensive jewelry pieces. On the other hand, Lapis lazuli has a hardness between 5-6 on the Mohs scale which is considerably lower than sapphire.
The high hardness of sapphire is due to its crystalline structure composed of aluminum oxide. Lapis stone encloses softer minerals like calcite that are responsible for moderate hardness. Sapphires are resistant to scratches from most other gems and minerals, except diamonds. Lapis lazuli is more prone to scratching and chipping.
Sapphires can be safely worn every day without damage if some precautions are kept in mind all the time. Lapis jewelry requires gentler wear and care to avoid abrasion over time. Sapphires maintain their polish extremely well. The surface of the lapis lazuli gemstone can become dull quite quickly with regular use. Sapphires can be cleaned using most jewelry cleaners and methods. Lapis requires cautious cleaning only with soft cloths to preserve the surface. Most high-quality sapphires have no internal flaws or fractures. Lower grades may have inclusions. Lapis often has white calcite veins running through it.
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Astrological Benefits
Both blue sapphire and Lapis Lazuli gemstones are of paramount astrological significance. While Lapis Lazuli is considered as substitute for blue sapphire, it is also vehemently connected with a planet and Zodiac signs. Let’s go through the astrological significance of blue sapphire and Lapis Lazuli one at a time.
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Blue sapphire:
Astrological significance: Blue sapphire is associated with the planet Saturn (Shani), and it is believed to bring wealth, good fortune, and overall well-being to the wearer. It is also thought to enhance mental clarity, intuition, and spiritual insight.
Healing properties: It is believed that wearing blue sapphire can aid in the treatment of various ailments such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, it is thought to promote overall physical and mental health.
Spiritual significance: Blue sapphire is often used in meditation practices to help calm the mind, increase focus, and stimulate spiritual growth.
Lapis lazuli:
Astrological significance: Lapis lazuli is strongly associated with the planet Jupiter, and it is widely believed to bring wisdom, truth, and enlightenment to the wearer. It is also thought to promote spiritual growth, inner peace, and harmony.
Healing properties: Lapis lazuli is also believed to have an array of healing properties that can alleviate stress, enhance creativity, and promote self-awareness. It is also thought to aid in the treatment of various physical ailments including migraines and insomnia.
Spiritual significance: Lapis lazuli has been used throughout history for spiritual enlightenment, self-discovery, and enhancing one’s connection to the divine. It is believed to facilitate spiritual growth and stimulate psychic abilities.
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Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Price & Value
High-quality and the most revered blue sapphires are very rare and expensive, especially in larger sizes. Prices can easily start from $1,000 per carat or more for gems with ideal color and clarity and can go as high as $10,000 per carat. Lapis lazuli is much more affordable, typically selling for $10-50 per carat. Lower grades can be even less expensive.
Sapphires are one of the four precious gemstones also called the Big 4 club of gemstones along with diamonds, ruby stones, and emeralds. This makes them intrinsically valuable. Lapis is considered a semi-precious stone. The highest-value sapphires exhibit a rich, medium-dark blue with no visible inclusions. Such fine quality commands premium prices.
Lapis has an abundant supply and many cuttable stones, keeping prices in check. Its softness also limits its value compared to hard gemstones.
Fine sapphires over 5 carats are especially scarce and barely available for commercial sale. Larger lapis stones are readily available and affordable. Sapphires have maintained their high value over time due to rarity and demand. Lapis values can fluctuate based on supplies and trends. Exceptional sapphires from certain sources, like Burma, Kashmir, or Ceylon, can fetch even higher prices based on their pedigree.
Blue Sapphire vs Lapis Lazuli: Popularity
Blue sapphire has always been one of the most beloved and widely used gemstones for jewelry. Sapphires are especially popular for engagement rings and other meaningful occasions that make life beautiful. On the other hand, Lapis lazuli has its fans but has never achieved the same level of mainstream popularity and demand as blue sapphire. It occupies a smaller niche market.
Sapphires are a major gemstone on the world market and are always in high demand. Lapis has experienced some booms but overall shows lower and more inconsistent demand. Many consumers specifically seek out sapphires and value their beauty, durability, and prestige. Lapis is appreciated but not necessarily coveted in the same way.
Sapphire is recognized as a birthstone for September and 45th wedding anniversary. Lapis lazuli is less associated with major events or symbols.
Famous sapphires like the Rockefeller Sapphire grace major gem collections. There are fewer world-famous lapis specimens that capture the public imagination. Sapphires have been worn by royalty and celebrities over the centuries. Lapis has had less prominence among the social elite.
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