The enigmatic world of gemstones is filled with gems with similar-looking color tones and properties. We have umpteen gemstones in our knowledge that resemble each other so profoundly that it becomes daunting for even for a gemstone connoisseur to distinguish between them lucidly. Some of the most noteworthy examples of similar-looking gemstones are ruby and pink sapphire, blue sapphire and lapis lazuli, emerald and jade, yellow sapphire and citrine, etc.
However, we know that no two gemstones are the same despite sharing similar color hues and properties. They differ in terms of internal crystal structure, composition, value, and origin as well. There is one more pair of gems that touches heights of resemblance and is quite cumbersome to distinguish i.e. purple sapphire and amethyst. While purple sapphire belongs to the corundum mineral family, amethyst is one of the most integral members of the quartz mineral family and is acknowledged for exhibiting spellbinding violet hues. Purple sapphire and amethyst gemstones are also embraced widely by gemstone enthusiasts to elicit umpteen astrological benefits.
We created this comprehensive blog post on purple sapphire vs amethyst with the intention of making the most in-depth and lucid differentiation that will ramp up the knowledge of ardent gemstone lovers by leaps and bounds.
Table of Contents
Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Origin
Purple Sapphire:
Mineral Composition: Purple sapphire belongs to the corundum mineral family and its lush purple color is due to the presence of iron and titanium impurities. The same mineral, when red, is known as a ruby.
Origin: Sapphires are found in various parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar, and Tanzania, among other locations. The color purple in sapphires can be caused by different trace elements or color centers.
Amethyst:
Mineral Composition: Amethyst stone is a variety of quartz, and its purple color comes from the presence of manganese and iron impurities.
Origin: Amethyst is found in many regions around the world. Significant deposits are located in countries such as Brazil, Zambia, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Color
Purple sapphire and amethyst have similar color properties, but some key differences as well:
Hue – Both stones exhibit purple hues, ranging from lighter lavenders to deeper royal purples. Amethyst tends to display more color variety, including very light pinkish purples, while purple sapphire usually has a true, rich purple color.
Saturation – Purple sapphire typically has a very high level of color saturation, appearing vivid and intense. Amethyst often shows more muted, moderate color saturation in comparison and can look quite pale in some stones.
Tone – Purple sapphire almost always shows very dark tones, similar to the darkest royal purple shades. Amethyst can display dark purple but also commonly exhibits light, medium, and pale purple tones.
In summary, purple sapphire consistently displays a vivid, highly saturated, and very dark royal purple hue while amethyst exhibits more variability in saturation and tone, ranging from pale lavender purples to moderately dark moderate purples. So purple sapphire’s coloration is typically more intense and dramatic compared to amethyst’s often lighter and brighter purple tones.
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Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Hardness
When comparing the hardness of gemstones, the Mohs scale is commonly used. The Mohs scale of mineral hardness ranks minerals on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest (talc) and 10 being the hardest (diamond). Here’s a comparison of the hardness of purple sapphire and amethyst:
Purple Sapphire:
Hardness: Sapphires, including purple sapphires, are a variety of corundum and have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. This makes sapphires one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamonds.
Amethyst:
Hardness: Amethyst, being a variety of quartz, has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. While quartz is a relatively durable gemstone, it is not as hard as corundum (sapphire and ruby).
In summary, purple sapphire (corundum) has a higher hardness (9) compared to amethyst (quartz), which has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. This means that purple sapphire is more resistant to scratching and abrasion than amethyst.
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Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Physical Properties
The main differences in physical properties between purple sapphire and amethyst include:
Hardness:
Sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, while amethyst has a hardness of 7. This means sapphire is much more scratch resistant and durable than the relatively soft amethyst.
Density:
Sapphire has a higher density around 4.00, compared to amethyst which has a density of 2.65. So sapphire feels noticeably heavier than amethyst for a stone of the same size.
Crystal structure:
Sapphire is from the corundum mineral family and has a trigonal crystal structure. Amethyst has a trigonal (sometimes hexagonal) crystal structure but is a type of quartz mineral.
Clarity:
Sapphire almost always has very high clarity ratings with very few inclusions. Amethyst is usually more included and has lower clarity grades, with “eye-visible” inclusions being common.
Refractive index:
Sapphire has a higher refractive index (around 1.76-1.78 usually) than that of amethyst (1.54-1.55). So sapphire shows more “fire” and light return.
In essence, a purple sapphire would be much harder, tougher, heavier, more durable, and show more brilliance than an amethyst of equivalent color. The amethyst would typically be more included but can display certain inclusion patterns that add unique beauty.
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Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Astrological Benefits
Purple Sapphire
Saturn Influence: Purple Sapphires are linked to the planet Saturn in astrology. Saturn is associated with discipline, responsibility, structure, and career. Wearing a Purple Sapphire is believed by some to strengthen one’s connection with Saturn and enhance qualities related to career success, stability, and personal growth.
Wisdom and Insight: The color purple is often associated with wisdom and spiritual insight. Wearing a Purple Sapphire may be believed to enhance your ability to make wise decisions, tap into higher knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of life’s challenges.
Enhanced Concentration: Saturn is also associated with focus and concentration. Some individuals believe that wearing a Purple Sapphire can help improve concentration, discipline, and the ability to overcome obstacles in both personal and professional life.
Balancing Energy: Astrologically, gemstones are sometimes thought to balance and align the energies associated with specific planets. Wearing a Purple Sapphire may be considered a way to harmonize the influence of Saturn and bring a sense of balance to one’s life.
Amethyst
Alignment with Pisces and Virgo. In astrology, amethyst is linked to the signs of Pisces and Virgo. It’s said to enhance some of the positive qualities associated with these signs, like creativity, imagination, healing abilities, and attention to detail.
Promotes peace and calm. Amethyst is thought to have a calming, soothing energy that can promote inner peace, emotional stability, and a relaxed state of being. It may help ease anxiety, anger, and restlessness.
Boosts intuition and psychic abilities. Some astrologers believe amethyst helps open one’s third eye chakra and enhances intuitive and psychic sensibilities. It may promote vivid dreams and spiritual insights.
Emotional healing and balance. The soothing energy of amethyst is said to comfort and heal emotional wounds and pain. It can encourage emotional sobriety and balance in times of inner turmoil.
Enhances meditation. The serene qualities of amethyst may deepen meditation practice and improve focus and mental clarity in contemplation.
Success vibration. In astrological lore, the vibrant purple color of amethyst emits a particularly success-oriented vibration. It’s claimed to attract abundance, prosperity, and achievement.
Also Read: – Yellow Sapphire vs Yellow Topaz
Purple Sapphire vs Amethyst: Price & Popularity
Purple Sapphire:
Price: The price of purple sapphire can vary widely depending on factors such as color, clarity, size, and origin. Generally, high-quality purple sapphires can be relatively expensive compared to other colored gemstones.
Popularity: Purple sapphires are less common than blue sapphires, but they are still valued for their unique and vibrant purple hues. They are often used in jewelry, including rings, earrings, and necklaces.
Amethyst:
Price: Amethyst is generally more affordable compared to purple sapphire. The price depends on factors such as color saturation, clarity, and size. Larger, vividly colored amethysts may command higher prices.
Popularity: Amethyst is one of the most popular and widely used purple gemstones. It is often used in various types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants.
In summary, while both purple sapphire and amethyst are attractive purple gemstones, purple sapphire tends to be rarer and may command higher prices, especially for high-quality stones. Amethyst, on the other hand, is more widely available and is generally more affordable, making it a popular choice for a variety of jewelry applications.
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