Green Sapphire vs Emerald: What's the difference?

Green sapphire vs emerald gemstones, which one should you invest in? This is a fairly common question considering the high demand for both of these gemstones. While it may seem obvious, the answer is quite simple – what are you looking for?

This is to say that both green sapphires and emeralds have features that distinguish them from one another. It’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of these characteristics to be able to make an informed decision. Let’s have a look at some of the differences between green sapphires and emeralds.

Green Sapphire vs Emerald

Green Sapphires come from the corundum family and get their green color from chromium. Emeralds, on the other hand, are from the beryl family and but also get their deep green tint from chromium impurities.

When assessing the quality of a gemstone, durability plays a significant role. Green sapphires measure as high as 9 on the Mohs scale, whereas emeralds stand somewhere between 7.5-8. This means that green sapphires are not only stronger than emeralds but they are considered to be one of the strongest rocks in the world.

Then comes brilliance. The term brilliance here refers to the white light that is reflected from the surface of the gem. The refractive index of green sapphires is more than the refractive index of emeralds. Therefore, green sapphires have more properties of brilliance in comparison to emeralds.

When we talk about symbolism, it’s notable that green sapphires represent loyalty, wisdom, trust, and good luck. Emerald gems are a symbol of rebirth, good fortune, youth, and overall growth.

Are emeralds more expensive than green sapphire?

The differentiation between pricing of green sapphires and emeralds can be helpful. If you have budget constraints, it’s essential to understand the monetary value of these gems so you can choose accordingly.

To answer this question, emeralds are generally more expensive than green sapphires. However, both gemstones are extremely rare in their natural untreated state, and this rarity gives them both a high price tag.

The price range of high-quality green sapphires begins from $450 per carat and can exceed $2000 per carat. Depending on the quality, green sapphires can also cost up to $10,000 per carat. You can read more about the most expensive color sapphires here.

Good quality emerald cost somewhere between $4,000 to $10,000 per carat. A limited heirloom-quality emerald gem can go for as much as $30,000 per carat.

Is green sapphire better than emerald?

As mentioned, green sapphires have high durability whereas emeralds are not as resilient. In addition to durability, the gem’s clarity should be taken into account while making a decision. Green sapphires can often treated, causing their color and clarity to change. Crystal growth leads to inclusions and flaws such as glasses and liquids. Sometimes, these flaws may be visible to the eye.

Emeralds show clear inclusions on the surface which are known as Jardin. As a general rule of thumb, remember to look for a gem that does not have clearly visible inclusions.

Is green sapphire natural?

In their purest state, all sapphires are free of color. The hue of the green sapphire is a result of the presence of iron and chromium during the development of the gem. Green sapphires are available in a variety of colors such as olive, khaki, light green, deep green, and bluish-green.

Finding rough green sapphire is difficult. However, there is a way to test whether the gem is synthetic or fake. Breathe on the surface of the sapphire. A natural green sapphire will un-fog within less than two seconds.

What is a parti sapphire?

A parti sapphire is a multi-colored gemstone. Parti sapphires are also known as polychrome sapphires. They can be found in multiple color combinations such as yellow-green, blue, purple, and lavender. Some parti sapphires may contain more than two colors.

The most common combination of colors in a parti sapphire is yellow-green. Sapphires with other hues are much more expensive. These are very easy to come by in Australia, and still found in abundance.

Now that you know what are the different factors you must consider while choosing between green sapphires and emeralds, it may become easier to make a decision. They both have a relatively similar price tag and equally rare, however green sapphires are harder and more durable. Emeralds are not as long-lasting because of their lower hardness. This makes them only slightly more prone to damage, whereas green sapphires are extraordinarily strong. But, it’s crucial to keep your demands in mind before finalizing a gemstone.