Blue gemstones are red hot this year, thanks to their beauty, versatility, mystique, abundant supply and relatively affordable prices. From aquamarine to tanzanite to sapphire to blue topaz (and many more), blue gemstone lovers have a variety of gems to pick from -- each with its own special properties.
It's really no surprise that we're so enamored with blue stones. We have a deep familiarity with the color, which symbolizes the heavens and the oceans. Blue is also said to be soothing to the soul -- the ancients believed that blue gemstones could calm upset emotions, allow the wearer to have a peaceful, restful sleep, purify the body and mind, and reduce pain and stop bleeding. The color blue also represents loyalty to ones country and is thought to promote peace, understanding, good will and friendship.
Another plus for blue -- it's a year-round color that blends perfectly with spring and summer lights and pastels, spices up fall earth tones and brightens winter darks. In terms of jewelry, blue gemstones look fabulous with diamond accents and work equally well set in yellow or white metal. It also is a color that's flattering to most skin tones.
The "big four" blue gemstones are aquamarine, blue topaz, sapphire and tanzanite. Here is a quick rundown of each stone and the qualities that make it a good choice for your next jewelry purchase:
- Aquamarine - This gem is the birthstone for March, as well as the recommended gem for couples celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary. It comes in a range of blue shades, from pale pastel to greenish-blue to deep blue. The stone derives its name from the Latin term for seawater, and was prized by sailors who believed it would protect them while they were at sea. Aquamarine is the symbol for youth, hope, health and fidelity. The finest aquamarine displays a deep, pure blue, with no green tints. It ranks an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness (out of 10), which means it is very durable and suitable for everyday wear. The stone is less prone to inclusions (internal flaws) than many other gems; therefore, it won't scratch or chip easily. Aquamarine is commonly heat-treated to permanently remove green overtones.
- Blue Topaz - Although topaz comes in a rainbow of shades ranging from red to pink to orange to yellow to brown to green, it is particularly prized in blue for its clarity, durability and availability. However, topaz is rarely found in blue shades in nature. The vibrant blue shade of the gem we have come to love is typically created through a combination of heat treatment and irradiation. Blue topaz is often viewed as a less costly alternative to aquamarine and is the recommended jewelry gift for couples celebrating their fourth anniversary. Topaz is thought to have the widest range of curative powers of any gemstone -- from improving eyesight to increasing strength to making the wearer invisible to curing insomnia and other ailments, as well as many other properties. With its 8 ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness, it is a very durable gem.
- Sapphire - Often thought of as the "ultimate" blue gemstone, sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity and faithfulness. Throughout history, this regal stone has been the gem of choice for kings and queens and is considered one of the "big four" precious stones (along with diamond, ruby and emerald). The birthstone for September, sapphire is also the recommended gem for couples celebrating their fifth and 45th wedding anniversaries. Although it is mined in many areas of the world, sapphires from Kashmir and Myanmar are particularly prized because of their vivid blue, velvety look. In addition to having an incomparable deep blue color, the most valuable sapphires are "eye clean," with little or no visible flaws. The gem has a ranking of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the hardest known substances on earth (second only to a diamond). Most of today's sapphires are heat treated to maximize their color and clarity. Prices for premium stones can reach the stratosphere -- but for a less costly alternative, consider a lab created sapphire (such as pictured here). Since these stones are developed in a laboratory under ideal conditions, they often have color and clarity to rival the finest natural sapphires -- and they are available at a fraction of the cost.
- Tanzanite - This rare, exotic gem is currently mined in only one location: the Merelani Hills of Tanzania in East Africa. Tanzanite is considered a new gem, since it was first "discovered" by the Western World in the 1960s. However, it has already made quite a mark on the jewelry industry, thanks to its rich blue and purple shades. In fact, tanzanite has fast become one of the most exciting, popular colored gemstones. With a 6.5 ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness, tanzanite is comparable in durability to an emerald; however, care should be taken to avoid impacts, high temperatures or other extreme conditions that could damage the stone. It is the recommended gem for couples celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary. Tanzanite has been in the news since last fall, due to the stone's alleged links to terrorism. However, Tanzanian officials and major gemstone associations have called the allegations unfounded, and earlier this year gave the stone a clean bill of health.
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