Blue Gemstones

Nature has the capability of offering an exuberant number of precious stones, which differ in size, shine, and color, capturing our attention.

The color and shine are some of the most valued physical characteristics to chose, work and wear with any gemstone. Color is most relevant for the consumer than even the stone classification (precious or semiprecious).

Blue precious gemstones are one of the most attractive for the jewel market. This color represents everyday nature and gives us a sense of calm and harmony.

Let’s discover together the base of this color and the different gems wearing it.

Blue Color Meaning

The blue color stimulates in us different emotions and feelings, giving us a sense of tranquility, calm and remembering us about the elements of nature such as the water and sky.

A light blue tone evocates serenity, peace and invites us to reflect.

A dark blue tone relates to moments of strength, like the sky color in the middle of the storm.

Sapphire

Classified as precious gemstone among others as the diamond, emerald, and ruby. Sapphire exists in various tones, however, is the deep dark blue the one most valued (even with little violet marks).

Sapphire value depends on its color purity as well as its size and dimensions.

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General Characteristics

The sapphire is a blue variation of corundum. The Corundum is a mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and alluvial deposits. It is one of the most exceptional gemstone families; Ruby also comes from it.

Chemical structure

Aluminum oxide, lead, iron, and titanium

Color

Occasionally all the gems from this same group are called Saphire, except for the ruby which is red colored. However, only the deep blue gemstones fit as sapphire. Other tones like pink, yellow, lilac, violet and green are least valued.

Hardness – Mohs Scale

Deposits

Myanmar (Former Birmany) is the source of the best Sapphires due to their color intensity. Other sources regions are Africa, Australia, Brasil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the US.

Aquamarine

This gemstone contains different tones of blue, including some greenish-blue tones, just like the color of the ocean.

This light tone gemstones experience dichroic effects; depending on the point of view its color intensity is perceived differently.

General Characteristics

The Aquamarine originates from the beryl family, along with the Emerald. The beryl is a mineral that comes from alluvial deposits and the igneous rocks exposed to high temperatures; specifically rocks like granite (composed of quartz), and pegmatite (rocks with thicker fragments).

Chemical Structure

Stone derived from the group of Beryls

Color

Its characteristic blue tone is a consequence of the remainders of iron on its composition. This fragment modifies the gemstone’s color ranging between lighter and darker greenish blue tones.

Hardness – Mosh Scale

7.5-8

Deposits

The sources of Sky blue tones of Aquamarine are Brazil, Mozambique, and Afganistan and the darker blue tones come from Nigeria and Madagascar.

Lapis Lazuli

This blue gemstone is very popular on the market. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians used this gemstone to manufacture their ornaments and decorations.

Lapis Lazuli is a gemstone very sensitive to high temperatures and pressure. Its natural state exhibits it in a matte tone.

General Characteristics

Lapis Lazuli originates from metamorphic rocks with crystalline isometric shapes. It is translucent and not shiny.

Chemical Structure

This gemstone presents a mix of different materials on its composition. The characteristic blue color comes from minerals like lazurite. It also contains inclusions of pyrite and calcite (white and gold respectively) in the form of sparkles accompanying the gem.

Other commons minerals besides lazurite are hauyne and sodalite.

Color

Dark blue, with little sparkles of white and gold.

Hardness – Mohs Scale

5-6

Deposits

The best quality gemstone of this kind from Afghans origins. Afganistan is the principal source of these gems. Other countries like Argentina, Canada, Chile, Myanmar, Rusia, and the US are also providers.

Read more about this astonishing stone.

Turquoise

This gem is in high demand due to its characteristic blueish-green color. Currently, a clean, intense blue color is the most abundand.

Nowadays, most turquoises have been treated or improved in some way to dye it and improve its color, stabilize it or coat it to make the material much more resistant.

General characteristics

This stone is highly valued and recognized by different cultures worldwide, which has increased its demand by developing a large industry around this gem. It has a triclinic crystalline system and is compact as inlays or veins. It is usually opaque or semi-translucent and has waxy shine (shine that resembles wax) or matte.

Chemical composition

Turquoise is a mineral of the class of aluminum and copper phosphates.

Colour

The recognized color is this gem is sky-blue or clear, however, it is currently more frequently found, a darker blue color, greenish blue, or even a more yellowish or gray tone.

Mohs scale hardness

5 – 6

Deposits

Previously the region with the biggest and best turquoise production was Persia, but now, it is the United States that carries the flag in the “Sleeping Beauty” mines in Arizona. We also find this gem in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Chile, among others.

Sodalite

This precious blue gem is a powerful and deep color with some veins or white spots due to calcite. It is very common to find unevenly and big, and its name means sodium stone. Sometimes it can be confused with lapis lazuli, in any case, the sodalite is a more opaque color and does not have the particular golden pints, which does contain lapis lazuli.

General characteristics

This stone belongs to the group of feldspathoids (minerals with less silica content), this mineral comes in lesser amounts in igneous rocks. This gem presents a cubic crystalline system, has a semi-translucent to opaque appearance and a vitreous or waxy luster.

Chemical composition

It is a mineral of the group of silicates with a high percentage of sodium.

Colour

blue, sky blue, gray, greenish blue, white

Mohs scale hardness

6

Deposits

Brazil, Russia, South Africa, United States, China.

Blue Diamond

Diamond is the leading gemstone in the jewelry market. The most common colors are white or even colorless; however, blue tones are also possible to find.

Blue diamond is the most expensive among other tones.

General Characteristics

This gem is formed in igneous rocks and belongs to the cubic crystalline system. Regularly, the colorless diamonds are transparent to translucent in appearance and have an adamantine shine, while blue diamonds rarely have a crystalline and shiny appearance.

Chemical composition

 Carbon is the only element of the diamond, hence having a compact and stable structure.

Colour

The best known is white or colorless; however, we also find blue, brown, yellow, black and red diamonds.

The blue diamond has traces of gray color due to the presence of boron. When we see treated diamonds, it is also possible to see green tones with inclusions.

Mohs scale hardness

It is the hardest gem on earth: 10

Deposits

Angola, Australia, Russia, South Africa, Zaire.

Topaz

The topaz is a bright gem, which usually contains inclusions and is quite hard.

Most topaz has been treated to improve the intensity of the color and leave them free of some inclusions. It is also possible to find irradiated blue topazes to obtain a beautiful blue sky tone, which in many occasions is often confused with aquamarine.

General characteristics

Topaz is a mineral that is composed of igneous rocks, volcanic lava or alluvial deposits. It belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system and is transparent or translucent in appearance and vitreous luster.

Chemical composition

It is silicate of aluminum, with the presence of elements such as iron and chromium.

Colour

blue, yellow, brown, colorless, red, green

Mohs scale hardness

8

Deposits

United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Australia, Myanmar

Labradorite

The labradorite is a gem that is commonly found on the surface of the earth and is visually attractive, which has caused it to be a gem much appreciated by designers and buyers of jewelry.

This gem presents a base of grayish color that reflects shades of blue in an optical effect called iridescence that refers to the penetration of light in internal structures produces flashes and blue colors and also a rainbow effect.

General characteristics

Labradorite is a mineral belonging to the feldspar group, which provides a variety of gems with different optical effects. It comes from igneous rocks and deposits that have been eroded by water.

Its crystalline form is triclinic and monoclinic. It is a precious stone with a translucent effect and vitreous shine.

Chemical composition

Labradorite belongs to the feldspar group that is composed of albite and anorthite called plagioclase.

Colour

blue, pale green, grayish white

Mohs scale hardness

6 – 6.5

Deposits

Canada, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Russia.

Blue Moonstone

This blue gemstone also has optical effects on it. In this case, the light appears to hide inside the gem and then seems to move according to the shift of the lightness and the stone.

This effect is called the schiller effect.

There are different tonalities in the moonstone and also the flash of light that characterizes it.

General characteristics

This gemstone is translucent with a blue line, which makes it a unique stone for the jewel market.

The moonstone can be translucent or even have a milky color it is usually transparent and crystalline.

Chemical composition

This stone belongs to the group of potassium or alkaline feldspars; this group contains elements as orthoclase and albite.

Colour

The transparent-based color gem has a blue schiller effect, and the milky-based tone stone has a rainbow effect.

Mohs scale hardness

6 – 6.5

Deposits

Madagascar, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Chalcedony

Chalcedony receives its name due to the microcrystalline quartz set perceived as a united solid mass, so is its color.

This gem has a very uniform matte color with an opaque effect.

General characteristics

Chalcedony quartz has a fibrous variety and has a solid color with no bands. Its crystalline system is trigonal and is a gem that looks translucent to opaque or milky and has a waxy luster.

Chemical composition

It is a silicon dioxide, composed of microcrystalline quartz and morganite (a gem belonging to the group of beryls)

Colour

Soft blue, blue with lilac tint, cloudy lavender

Hardness on the Mohs scale

6.5 – 7

Deposits

The best specimens appear in Brazil and Uruguay. There are also reservoirs in South Africa, Indonesia, and Turkey.

Blue Agate

The agate is a group of microcrystalline quartz that has different inclusions, which form different drawings, patterns, and textures, which makes it very attractive to the public.

This gem presents a variety of colors and models. The most common type of agate is the one with stripes; The different colors will depend on the inclusions that it has. Also, it is common to find this gem in the form of druse.

General characteristics

Agate is not a specific mineral. It is composed of small crystals and dendritic inclusions or bands.

It is in the form of volcanic rocks crystalline, its system is trigonal and has waxy to matt shine.

Chemical composition

Microcrystalline quartz

Colour

It has a wide range of tones.  Regarding blue color, there are tones ranges from light blue to dark blue.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

6.5 – 7

Deposits

The best specimens are in Brazil and Uruguay. We also find agates in the territories of Egypt, Italy, and Madagascar.

Alexandrite

A gem with the ability to change color depending on exposure to light. Its cost can be quite high, so it is necessary to be very alert with possible imitations.

General characteristics

The alexandrite belongs to the group of the crisoberilo. The family of the crisoberilo provides two other varieties of stone, being the alexandrite the most estimated of the three. Its form is crystalline orthorhombic, Its aspect is translucent, and its brightness is vitreous.

Chemical composition

Chrysoberyl variety, belonging to the oxide or hydroxide mineral class.

Colour

Under the sunlight, it looks greenish-blue, and under intense artificial light, it seems red-brown.

This effect depends on the different shades of light exposition to the gemstone, as well as how the gem absorbs and reflects the light.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

8.5

Deposits

Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, South of Tanzania.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a rare gem. The most valuable color is the strong blue, it is very similar to the tone of the sapphire with variations towards the violet.

Different tones can be perceived depending on the angle from which you look. It is very common that the color of tanzanite is treated by heat, to produce a more intense and uniform tone. This gem contains inclusions of very tiny crystals of different shades.

General characteristics

Its name was given by the New York jewelry company Tiffany & Co in honor of the source place of the gem, Tanzania. Its crystalline form is orthorhombic, and it has a transparent appearance and vitreous luster.

Chemical composition

A mineral of the zoisite group, belonging to the silicates.

Colour

Intense blue, bluish violet, or lilac.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

6.5 – 7

Deposits

This gem comes from only one place in the world, Tanzania.

Spinel

This gem is fascinating due to its brightness, rareness, and hardness. It is not very common by consumers; however, it is of highly valued by jewelers, since this type of gem has different shades among its alternatives and although red is the most popular, among its diversity of tones, there is blue.

The spinel comes from the same ruby ​​and sapphire deposits. The various inclusions cause diversity in its colors.

General characteristics

Spinel is a mineral that forms in metamorphic and igneous rocks. Its crystalline form is cubic, its appearance is transparent to translucent and has a vitreous shine.

Chemical composition

Mineral belonging to the group of oxides and contains traces of chromium, iron or vanadium.

Colour

Red-orange, blue-violet.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

8

Deposits

Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, among others

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a well-known and unpredictable gem because it has practically all the range of colors, and can even contain two or more colors mixed in the same stone.

There is another variety that is the tourmaline bi or tricolor which are the type of gems that have several colors within the same stone. The combinations can mix many colors and those that have a blue tone next to another color, are usually scarce and expensive.

General characteristics

Its previous name was “turamali” or “touramali” which means: mixed colors. It has a trigonal system, its appearance is generally translucent, and has a vitreous luster.

Chemical composition

It is a mineral belonging to silicates. The elbaite mineral is the main component of this gem, which is the origin of all types of tourmalines.

Colour

Tourmaline has a wide range of colors. To find it in blue tone is truly rare; however, there are two types of blue tourmaline: one is known as indigolita and contains different shades of blue between light and dark, the darkest tone being the most found.  The other type of blue tourmaline is called Paraiba, from a state of Brazil with the same name, its color is a very intense turquoise-blue, this makes it more rare for the market and expensive than the rest of the tourmalines.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

7-7.5

Deposits

Africa, Brazil, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States.

Iolite

Iolite also is known as cordierite or dichroite. This gem competes for quality and color with many others as the tanzanite or sapphire,  however, is not as popular in the jewel markets as the formers

Its name comes from the word violet. Its price is very affordable because there are numerous deposits.

General characteristics

It is a gem not very bright and quite durable. It comes from metamorphic rocks or alluvial deposits. It has an otorhromic crystalline system; its appearance is transparent to translucent and has a vitreous luster.

Chemical composition

Mineral belonging to the group of cyclocilicatos of iron, and aluminum.

Colour

Very dark violet-blue, light gray, gray with a yellow, green tint.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

7 – 7.5

Deposits

India, Madagascar, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States.

Zircon

The zircon is a gem of exceptional luster and commercial value, it has a great variety of colors, among which we highlight the blue zircon.

Some shades of this gem are often confused with diamonds due to their brightness, although it differs because the circuit is a much brittle and brittle gem.

General characteristics

It is one of the minerals found most easily in the earth’s crust; It also comes from alluvial deposits.  It presents a tetragonal crystalline form, is a transparent stone and has an adamantine or resinous luster.

Chemical composition

It is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates,

Colour

Yellow, orange, violet, blue, dull red, gold.

Mohs climbing hardness

6.5 – 7.5

Deposits

Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Australia, Brazil.

Apatite

This gem also is known as Apatite is not very common to find in jewelry, however, has a variety of colors among which one of the most sought after, is, of course, the blue tone.

This stone color is natural and very few have been treated or irradiated to improve its appearance.

General characteristics

Apatite is a shiny and brightly colored gem that often occurs in hydrothermal, metamorphic rocks and sediments. It has a transparent to opaque appearance and vitreous luster.null

Chemical composition

It is a composition of different minerals that may contain calcium, fluoro, chlorine.

Colour

There is a crystalline blue tone color gem, and also a blue color with green hues; the latter is very valuable due to its similarity with the paraiba tourmaline from Brazil. This Neon Blue Apatite with greenish bases has its origin in Madagascar.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

5

Deposits

Brazil, Canada, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mexico.

Hemimorphite

The Hemimorphite, previously classified with the name of calamine and even today, some people within the industry the early name.

This gem has a particular characteristic and is the electrical charge that causes the change of temperature or pressure.

General characteristics

The hemimorphite occurs forming veins and echoes in limestone rocks. Its crystalline system is orthorhombic, its appearance is translucent and has a vitreous or silky shine.

Chemical composition

A mineral of the sorosilicates group.

Colour

Greenish blue, cobalt blue, white, green.

Mohs climbing hardness

4,5 – 5

Deposits

Africa, Australia, and Austria.

Fluorite

This type of gem is considerably abundant, and as a result, its price is very affordable in the market. It is a gem that is usually acquired by collectors. It is seldom used in jewelry because it is very soft; however, it is used a lot with a natural look, unpolished, or in the form of a cabochon.

General characteristics

It is a fluorescent stone, and it is from this gem, that the term fluorescence is known.  It comes from hydrothermal or sedimentary deposits. It has a cubic crystalline system, and its aspect is transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster.

This stone comes in many shades that have a translucent or transparent appearance and is a fluorescent material. We emphasize the blue tone, very much appreciated by the buyers and the green color of blue bases.

Chemical composition

It is a mineral of the group of halides and has remnants of other elements such as iron, aluminum, and magnesium.

Colour

Blue, teal, yellow, pink, green, violet, colorless.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

4

Deposits

Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, and Myanmar.

Cyanite

Cyanite is also known as Distena or Kyanita which means blue.

Although it is not ordinarily consumers, its color variety has made it very popular.

General characteristics

The Cyanite is a gem that arises from metamorphic rocks. Its system is triclinic-crystalline. Its appearance is transparent to translucent with a vitreous or pearly luster.

Chemical composition

It comes from the family of silicates.

Colour

Blue, purple-blue, gray, white, green and black.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

This gem hardness is highly variable, and this will depend on how it is cut and sized. The best cut will give us a hardness of 6 to 7, which will make it a reasonably durable stone.

Deposits

Australia, Brazil, Alps, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Russia, United States

Dumortierite

Dumortierite is a rare type of quartz which very scarce to find. It commonly has a deep blue color with traces of violet.  Regularly it is confused with the sodalite stone, and on many occasions, can be used as complement decoration for ceramics.

General characteristics

Comes from metamorphic rocks rich in aluminum, and its crystalline system is orthorhombic. It has a translucent appearance with an opaque or vitreous look.

Chemical composition

A mineral of the nesosilicates group.

Colour

The blue color is due to the inclusions of the dumortierite mineral.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

7.5 – 8

Deposits

Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Madagascar, among others.

Larimar

This blue gemstone is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic, specifically in the mine called Los Chupaderos.

This stone is common for the manufacturing of silver jewelry, and its evaluation depends on the quality of the color being the volcanic blue tone the most expensive.

General characteristics

The Larimar stone is a variety of the pectolite and although there are different pectolites around the world; none possess the characteristic blue color of the larimar gem. It has a triclinic crystalline system. Its appearance is translucent and has a vitreous or waxy shine.

Chemical composition

Calcium and sodium silicate hydrate with magnesium.

Colour

Presents a range of blue colors ranging from blue with white tints, greenish-blue, to deeper blue without becoming a very dark tone.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

4,5 – 5

Deposits

Dominican Republic

Chrysocolla

This precious blue gem is a mineral of a blue-green tone that often has veins or spots. Due to its inclusions and the softness of its color, some often confuse it with turquoise.

General characteristics

This gem comes from the upper part of the copper deposits, and that is why this stone is associated with other minerals such as azurite and malachite. It has an orthorhombic crystalline system, its appearance is translucent to opaque and has a vitreous to matt luster.

Chemical composition

A mineral of copper silicate group

Colour

bluish green

Hardness on the Mohs scale

2.5 – 3.5

Deposits

Israel, Chile, England, and Arizona.

Azurite

This gem also receives the name of blue malachite, being the malachite, green tone, much easier to find.

Sometimes it is possible to find azurite mixed with malachite in the same stone. Increasing its value due to how attractive it turns out to be.

General characteristics

Azurite comes from the copper deposits that suffer from exposition to the weather. Its crystalline form is monoclinic, has a translucent or opaque appearance and has a vitreous to matt gloss.

Chemical composition

This mineral belongs to the carbonate family.

Colour

blue

Hardness on the Mohs scale

3.5 – 4

Deposits

Namibia, France, United States.

Blue Amber

Amber is a gem of organic origin and is one of the stones that has been used the most since antiquity.  Amber is actually a fossilized resin from trees over fifty million years old and can be presented in several colors, yellow amber being the best known and commercialized.

General characteristics

Blue amber is a rare and scarce tone of amber, made famous during the discovery of amber in the Dominican Republic.  Its crystalline form is amorphous, and its appearance is commonly transparent and has a resinous shine.

Chemical composition

Amber is a substance of organic origin; consequently, its chemical composition includes hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and succinic acid, and this origin makes the amber unique compared to other resins.

Colour

The blue color in amber is not a solid tone. Under the sunlight and not against it, a fluorescent blue tone appears, and under ultraviolet light, it looks more opaque.

Hardness on the Mohs scale

2 – 2,5

Deposits

It is common to find in Santiago in the Dominican Republic. It also comes from Indonesia.

The stones delight us with their never-ending tonalities and particularities. Their brightness, effects, and inclusions make them powerful pieces of art. The blue color, for example, is one of those nuances that fills, captures and captivates, this color comforts us and continually extends an invitation to reflection and introspection.

I wish you had enjoyed this journey across the seven continents searching for blue gemstones. Did I say seven?, there are already eight actually since in 2017 the geologists declared a new one, called Zelandia. In any case, if you liked it, please leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite blue gemstone is.

Bibliography

The Jeweler´s Directory of Gensstones by Judith Crowe.

Gemstones: Understanding, Identifying, Buying by Keith Wallis.

Gemstones: The clearest Recognition Guide by Cally Hall.