The main difference between amethyst and blue sapphire is their hardness: blue sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, while amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
Amethysts and blue sapphires are two colorful gemstones that are popular all over the world. The color of amethysts ranges from deep reddish-purple to pale lilac, whereas sapphires mainly occur in blue color. Amethyst is the birthstone for February, while blue sapphire is the birthstone for September.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Amethyst
– Definition, Features
2. What is Blue Sapphire
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Amethyst and Blue Sapphire
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Amethyst, Blue Sapphire, Gemstones
What is Amethyst
Amethyst is a popular gemstone due to its attractive purple color. It’s a crystalline quartz with colors ranging from deep reddish-purple to pale lilac. The value of an amethyst gemstone depends almost entirely on its color. Reddish purple amethysts are the most popular forms of amethysts. Furthermore, amethysts are widely available, durable, and affordable. They are also readily available in large sizes. Therefore, amethysts are a favorite gemstone of jewelers, artisans, and craftsmen. In fact, amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.
When considering their properties, amethysts have a relatively high hardness of 7 and a specific gravity of 2.6 to 2.7. The physical properties of amethyst are nearly identical to those of other quartz; their main difference is in color. High-quality amethysts are found in Siberia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Far East.
What is Blue Sapphire
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, composed of aluminum oxide with trace amounts of elements like titanium, iron, chromium, magnesium, or vanadium. Sapphires are one of the four precious gemstones. They are usually blue in color, hence the name ‘blue sapphire.’ They also occur in purple, orange, yellow, and green colors. There are also parti-sapphires, which show two or more colors.
Sapphires are commonly cut and polished and worn in jewelry. Sapphires are the third hardest mineral (after diamond and moissanite) and have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. Because of this hardness, we also use it in non-ornamental applications like high-durability windows, infrared optical components, and wristwatch crystals. Their specific gravity is 3.98–4.06. Furthermore, blue sapphire is vitreous and has a colorless streak. They are transparent to nearly opaque. They also have poor cleavage.
Sapphires form as a result of several processes on the earth’s surface, including high pressure and temperature. When liquid magma deep within the earth cools, it makes minerals crystalize. Sapphires are the finest and purest forms of corundum and take millions of years to form. They are found globally. The main sources of sapphires are India, Colombia, Cambodia, and Kenya.
Difference Between Amethyst and Blue Sapphire
Definition
Amethyst is a crystalline quartz with colors ranging from deep reddish-purple to pale lilac, while blue sapphire is a blue-colored transparent precious stone, which is a variety of corundum (aluminum oxide).
Nature
Amethyst is a semi-precious stone, while blue sapphire is a precious stone.
Hardness
Blue sapphire has a higher hardness than amethyst. Blue sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, while amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
Chemical Composition
Blue sapphire is made of aluminum oxide, whereas amethyst is made of quartz, which has vanadium and silicon oxide.
Refractive Index
Amethyst has a refractive index of 1.544 to 1.533, while blue sapphire has a refractive index of 1.762 to 1.768.
Rarity
Blue sapphires tend to be rarer and more valuable than amethysts.
Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone for February, whereas blue sapphire is the birthstone for September.
Conclusion
The main difference between amethyst and blue sapphire is their hardness: blue sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, while amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
Reference:
1. “What is a Sapphire? – Gemstone Facts And Information.” Leibish.
2. “Amethyst.” Geology.com
Image Courtesy:
1. “Amethyst. Magaliesburg, South Africa” By JJ Harrison – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Logan Sapphire SI” By Chip Clark, Smithsonian staff – Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Image Number: 95-40288 Catalog Number: G3703 and Gem Gallery (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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