A pure saturated blue is one of the rarest and most treasured colors in the gemstone world.
The color blue has many rich cultural associations. Blue is the color of the sky and the sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. Blue has symbolized trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. True blue means unwavering loyalty and commitment.
A light blue color is associated with peace, health, healing, tranquility, understanding and softness. Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness.
There are a number of gem varieties found in blue. But really only Sapphire is found in a pure saturated blue. Tanzanite may occasionally come close, though even the finest blue Tanzanite always has a tinge of violet.
Most blue gemstones occur in lighter shades of blue, such as the sea blue of Aquamarine. Deeper blues may be found in Zircon and Tourmaline, but the color is rarely pure, usually with a green secondary hue. Some blue gems, such as Blue Topaz, have been heavily treated to produce the blue color. Apatite, a softer gem (5 on the Mohs scale) can be found in an intense blue or greenish-blue hue.
In cabochons, the rare Gem Silica from the Inspiration Mine in Arizona has a vivid turquoise color with good translucency. Other blue gems include Benitoite, Kyanite and Iolite.
Notable Gems from the Just Color Collection
This month we feature some of the finest Blue Gemstones from our collection. Click on any gem photo for details.
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A superb Royal Blue Sapphire over 5 carats set in an 18k white gold pendant with diamonds. The setting features 3 baguette diamonds on top with a total weight of 0.277 cts, and a halo of 29 round diamonds with a total weight of 0.275 cts. This is an important piece of jewelry that will make a very special gift. Certified by GemResearch Swisslab (GRS) with the color graded as vivid blue (GRS type "royal blue").
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A very fine Royal Blue Tanzanite in a perfect ring size (11 x 9 mm)! This is the top color in Tanzanite, with amazing brilliance and excellent fire with blue and violet flashes. Guaranteed natural by Just Color, Bangkok.
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A superb large Vibrant Blue Tourmaline from the recent find in Nambia! This is beautiful crystal with a gorgeous saturated greenish-blue color, in an elegant octagon that will set up beautifully in your jewelry design. You will be amazed at the color of this rare Tourmaline, it will be an important addition to any gem collection. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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A splendid 11.78 ct Blue Zircon from Cambodia with outstanding color saturation. This fine gem Zircon is an unusually pure and deep blue, sure to delight the most discriminating collector. Very well cut and completely clean, guaranteed natural. |
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The finest Aquamarines come from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. They are famed for their unusually deep blue saturation. This superb large pear shape is an outstanding example, with an especially deep color. This is beautifully clean material, perfectly cut, that will make a special ring or pendant for the Aquamarine connoisseur. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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A vivid Teal Blue Apatite from Madagascar with a bright open color. Very clean with wonderful transparency, this fine gem will set up beautifully in your jewelry design. Guaranteed natural.
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News from Just Color and the Gems World
Ask the Gem Experts
Each month we answer questions from our customers. We welcome your questions and you can submit a question from our contact page.
Thanks for your article about Gem Silica, they are really beautiful gems. Could you explain the difference between these Gem Silica and the Chrysoprase? MT, Canada
Gem silica and Chrysoprase are both forms of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz. They have the same basic chemical composition (silicon dioxide) and the same hardness (7 on the Mohs scale). Chrysoprase is typically apple-green and is colored by traces of nickel. Gem Silica, colored by traces of copper, tends to be a vivid greenish-blue or bluish-green. Gem Silica is more expensive because it is a much rarer gem. But you'll notice a wide price range in Gem Silica, with the highly translucent specimens costing more. Chrysoprase, by contrast is mined in large quantities in Australia and can be found in quite large sizes at very reasonable prices.
