Blue, the color of calmness and serenity, is one of the most popular gemstone color choices. Blue-colored gemstones are shiny and classy. This stunning color is said to be associated with stability, knowledge, depth, and power. Blue gemstones, in all their textures, shades, and vividness, can add sophistication to any jewelry piece, including earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. 

Blue-colored gems are also becoming a popular gem color choice for wedding rings. For instance, the world’s most iconic engagement ring that belonged to Princess Diana entails a large blue sapphire. 

That being said, let’s explore some of the best blue gemstones that are popularly used in jewelry. 

Blue Sapphire

Sapphires are the most popular gem in the realm of blue gemstones. Even though sapphires are available in various colors, blue sapphire is the most preferred and well-known version. As part of the corundum family, the blue shade of a sapphire occurs as a result of the presence of titanium and iron. 

With a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are the second-hardest gemstone, making them highly resistant to scratches and breaking. Moreover, after diamonds, sapphire is probably the second-most sought-after colored gem for wedding rings. Since sapphire is the birthstone for September, sapphire-studded jewelry is a great choice for those born in the month. Additionally, although all sapphires are precious, the blue sapphire with a purplish tone is much pricier and desirable than the one with greenish hues. 

Aquamarine

Belonging to the beryl family, the aquamarine stone is a part of the same family as emeralds and morganite. With its name itself talking about the sea-blue color, aquamarine is one of the most stunning blue stones you can find. Besides diamonds and sapphires, aquamarines are popularly used in engagement rings, among other jewelry styles. Recognized for its distinctive pastel blue color, this beautiful gem evokes calmness. 

Aquamarines occur as big crystals and sparkle quite bright and beautiful when exposed to light. This stone has a vitreous to resinous luster. Also, aquamarines with intense deep blue hues are considered the most prized and expensive variety. 

With a rating of 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is a pretty hard, sturdy, and durable stone that offers excellent clarity and doesn’t break easily, making it one of the best blue gemstone options for jewelry. 

Blue Diamond

Diamonds are found in a variety of colors. While the colorless variety of diamonds is the most popular type, blue diamonds are amongst one of the rarest and most expensive types of diamonds. Blue diamonds have identical properties to colorless diamonds, with exceptional brilliance and perfect hardness. Even though diamonds are sturdy and scratch-resistant, blue diamonds aren’t the toughest gemstone. You will have to use them with reasonable care to increase their longevity. 

Blue diamonds receive their color from the traces of boron present during the formation of the gemstone. Even though blue diamonds come in a range of shades, the fancy intense blue hue is usually a top choice. Pure blue-colored diamonds are typically considered to be the most beautiful and valuable gems, but blue diamonds with greenish tints are also quite popular. With the highest refractive index in the world, this stunning gem is a brilliant choice for almost any type of jewelry.

Blue Topaz

Blue topaz is another extremely rare blue gemstone. One of the most interesting facts about a topaz gem is that it is typically found in a colorless state. This gem is then put under intense heat treatments to create striking shades of blue. Naturally-occurring blue topaz gems are extremely rare and often occur as large crystals. These stones also show different colors when seen from different angles. 

Blue topaz is budget-friendly, but there are some expensive varieties of the stone as well. The most valuable and exclusive varieties of blue topaz include Swiss Blue, London Blue, and Sierra Blue, all of which are darker variations of the gemstone. Blue topaz is the right choice for various types of jewelry because of its toughness and durability. This gemstone is also a December birthstone.

Turquoise

Turquoise is another unique semi-precious gemstone that is the only gem with a color named after it. This gem usually forms when water seeps through mineral rocks, setting off a chemical reaction. Over a period of time, this reaction builds up and forms a beautiful, unique-looking gemstone. 

The turquoise gemstone is quite popular due to its vivid sky blue and green shades. Generally, opaque in nature, this stone typically includes dark web-like inclusions. However, inclusion-free, pure blue turquoise stones are considered to be the most valuable and desired ones. 

This ancient semiprecious gemstone is significantly soft, which is why it is often cut into cabochons and beads when used to make jewelry. This stone isn’t considered as durable as many other gemstone options, which is why it is mostly preferred in less delicate jewelry pieces. Also, when it comes to turquoise jewelry, you need to ensure that it receives extra care to maintain its luster.

Blue Tourmaline

Blue tourmaline is typically found in two assortments: Indicolite tourmaline and Paraiba tourmaline. While the Pairaba tourmaline gem displays a vivid and radiant blue color, the indicolite gem typically is found in light to dark shades of blue. Generally, blue tourmalines are tremendously rare and are also found in very small sizes, usually under a carat. 

While most blue tourmalines have greenish tones, the pure blue ones are considered more popular and prized. Blue tourmaline has a great hardness rating on the Mohs scale, making it one of the toughest and most durable gemstones. Tourmaline is also the birthstone for October, making tourmaline-studded jewelry a great gift option for those born this month. 

The Bottom Line

A few factors, including color, price, and hardness must be considered in order to determine the best blue gemstones to include in your jewelry piece. With so many unique characteristics, you can easily choose a beautiful gemstone for your jewelry.