The most popular blue gemstones| Antiques Cinolter
Author: Magdalena Kořínková
In our articles, you’ve already read about three of the “Big Four” precious stones: green emeralds, red rubies, and clear diamonds. Now, we bring you an exploration of the blue king of gemstones—the sapphire.
But it’s not the only gemstone that boasts a stunning blue hue. So, if blue is closest to your heart, we hope this article will bring you a touch of blue heaven.
The colour blue is one of the most beloved. It symbolises truth, peace, calm, and serenity. Aquamarines, sapphires, topazes, opals, lapis lazuli, turquoises, tanzanites... are gemstones adored since ancient times and are no less beloved today.
Whether you desire a blue gemstone as an investment or simply wish to bring joy to yourself (or others), we’ll guide you on selecting the right stone, what to focus on, and what to ask about.
Sapphires
Magnificent and precious sapphires truly belong to the “Big Four” rarest and most treasured gemstones. Sapphire is a relative of ruby—both are types of corundum, and like the ruby, sapphire is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond.
Although sapphires are typically associated with the colour blue (after all, “sapphire” derives from the Hebrew “sappire,” meaning “blue”), you can also find clear, pink, purple, orange, yellow, black, and even green sapphires. Different colours come from trace metals like iron, titanium, or vanadium. If corundum contains chromium, it turns red and is considered a ruby.
Aquamarines
Just as sapphire is ruby’s sibling, aquamarine is emerald’s sibling. Aquamarine and emerald are both varieties of beryl, whose pure colour changes with various elements. Aquamarine, enchanting as a clear blue lake, is coloured by iron and titanium. Its name, rooted in the sea, evokes the allure of mermaids and their treasures, and the stone can display a spectrum of blue shades.
Turquoises
The vibrant blue of turquoise can brighten any outfit. A glance at this gemstone transports us to the summer seas and sunlit beaches.
Turquoise was among the first gemstones mined in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, as its colour was believed to bring good fortune. Its unique hue arises from copper, chromium, iron, and vanadium content, and it can range from transparent to opaque.
Turquoise is sensitive to temperature changes and can fade in direct sunlight. Although perfect for a beach look, it’s best worn after sunset.
Tanzanites
Discovered only in 1967, tanzanite is known as the “gemstone of the 20th century.” Its name comes from Tiffany & Co., who named it after its place of origin in eastern Tanzania. This beautiful stone shows varied colours, from deep blue to light purple, depending on the angle.
Attributed to Sagittarius and Aquarius signs, tanzanite is also recognised as a December birthstone—an excellent gift idea for the holiday season.
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Topazes
Topazes can be found in clear, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, green, or brown hues… but for this article, the focus is on the colour blue.
Natural blue topaz is rare, so clear stones are often treated to turn blue. Using a radioisotope method, clear topaz is first coloured brown and then changed to blue through electronic adjustments, followed by firing to achieve the final shade. So, when you find a jewel with a natural blue topaz, it’s a true rarity, likely found only in antique collections.
Opals
This stunning iridescent stone forms thanks to seasonal rains that allow water to seep deep into the earth, carrying dissolved silicon compounds. When the rains stop and moisture evaporates, the silicon oxide remains, laying the foundation for opal formation.
The beautiful colour play in opals is created by tiny spheres arranged in a grid. Light passing through, bending, and refracting against these spheres creates opalescence—a spectacular rainbow-like play of colours. This feature makes opals one of the most popular gemstones.
Surprised to see opal in the group of blue stones? Like many other gemstones, opal can come in many colours. There are white, yellow, orange, pink, black, and, of course, blue opals. Even in white opals, classic opalescence often appears in shades of blue. Opals with dominant blue and green elements are known as the “Peacock pattern.”
Lapis lazuli
The most valuable stones are deep blue, azure, or sky blue, though there are also green, turquoise, or dark blue varieties. The mineral lapis, along with pyrite and calcite, creates its unique appearance. Golden pyrite veins add an exquisite touch.
We look forward to seeing you at our store on Maiselova Street. Come say hello and choose a unique antique for yourself or a loved one that no one else in the world has.
