What is the difference between sapphire and blue tourmaline?

    Sapphire is a member of the aluminum oxide gemstone family, which derives its blue color from the presence of metal ions such as chromium, cobalt and iron. Usually transparent or translucent, sapphires are very hard with a hardness level of 9. For this reason, sapphires are widely used in jewelry making, where they are not only beautiful but also very durable. In addition, sapphires are used as collectors' items and souvenirs.

    Blue tourmaline, on the other hand, is a member of the silicate gemstone family, which derives its blue color from the presence of metal ions such as iron. Unlike sapphires, which are slightly softer than sapphires, blue tourmaline is between 7 and 7.5 grades of hardness, close to quartz's 8 grade of hardness. Also widely used in jewelry, blue tourmaline presents a more intense blue color than sapphire and has a deep, clear beauty.

  In terms of color

    The colors of blue tourmaline include light blue, aquamarine, greenish blue, violet blue, dark blue, blue-black, etc., with blue tones dominating. Sapphires are available in pink, yellow, green and white. Sapphires and blue tourmalines are both blue in color, but not the same blue; sapphires are light blue, some are greenish or light blue-green, while blue tourmalines are dark or dark and blue.

  In terms of other traits

    Tourmaline is multicolored, while sapphires are also multicolored. The difference in hardness is also not significant. The density of tourmaline is greater than that of sapphire, and thus blue tourmaline is more dense than sapphire for the same size stone. However, this can only be determined after considerable experience with both stones.

  From the aspect of inclusions

    The inclusions in sapphires are typically rain-like, and those of superior quality generally require the use of a tenfold magnifying glass to see the inclusions inside. The inclusions in tourmaline are usually thin, flattened voids or irregular linear cavities filled with liquid, and some blue tourmalines have a large number of parallel fibrous inclusions.