In order to work with our crystals effectively, we need to understand their properties. With crystals that look similar or have similar uses, such as aquamarine and sapphire it can be difficult to determine which one to work with. The answer should always be; the one that you are drawn to the most. However, if you are looking to find the difference in physical appearance as well as metaphysical properties, you’ll find your answer here.
Continue reading if you want to know more about the (physical) qualities of these stones, as well as how you can use them in your spiritual practice.
Also read: Full Guide To Aquamarine vs. Blue Topaz (This is the Difference)
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Aquamarine vs Sapphire – How To Tell The Difference?
In order to understand the difference between these two stones, we can look at the color, shape, pattern, clarity, and more. Below we’ll describe all these aspects in detail.
Chemical Composition
Aquamarine is a beryl crystal that comprises beryllium aluminum silicate. It is classified under two quartz; topaz and corundum. This gemstone is also associated with quartz, muscovite, biotite, topaz, and garnet.
Sapphire is made up of aluminum oxide, which by it contains two parts of aluminum and the other three parts of oxygen. It is also proved to be corundum. It contains traces of iron, vanadium, chromium, magnesium, and titanium.
Also read: Full Guide To Amazonite vs. Aquamarine (This Is The Difference)
Color
Aquamarine’s most valuable color is typically dark blue to moderately greenish blue. It is sometimes spring green. The color of this gemstone is caused by the presence of impurities of iron found within the beryl. The very dark blue color of aquamarine is considered more valuable.
Similarly, sapphire is blue. Since it belongs to the corundum family, it is found in a variety of colors. These fancy sapphires occur in colors like yellow, purple, orange, pink, black, and green. Sapphires that are orange and pink are usually very rare.
Color variation in sapphire is caused by traces of other mineral elements which are present in the corundum, are titanium and iron. Moreover, traces of metal impurities such as chromium and vanadium alter the color.
Clarity and Pattern
For clarity and pattern, these two gemstones have similar characteristics. First, both stones’ appearance ranges from translucent to transparent. The best-grade aquamarine and sapphires have minimal inclusions, making the gemstone eye clean and of high quality.
If inclusions are present on the aquamarine, they exist as long and hollow tubes, chips, knots, pinpoints, dark chromite, mineral crystal, and feathers. The crystal structure of these gemstones is hexagonal.
Also read: Full Guide To Blue Topaz vs Sapphire (This is the Difference)
Hardness
Aquamarine is a hard and durable gemstone that ranges from 7.5 to 8.0 on the Mohs scale. This stone does not scratch easily; instead, it scratches other gemstones, and thus it is kept separate from them. However, other aquamarine, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds can scratch it if kept together.
Although they are hard, these gemstones are brittle, and thus they are prone to breaking when struck. Sapphires have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. Sapphires are very durable due to their hardness, outstanding toughness, and no cleavage. Due to their hardness, they are not prone to breaking, cracking, or chipping, but they are prone to scratches that are easily resurfaced.
Care
The most recommended method to clean aquamarine is by use of warm, sudsy water where the gemstone is soaked for some minutes, then it is scrubbed softly using a toothbrush, and then it is rinsed using warm water and finally dried using a clean, soft piece of cloth.
Cleaning products that may contain alcohol or ammonia should be avoided. Scrubbing clothes should also not be used. Sapphires are also cleaned using warm soapy water.
The use of ultrasonic and steam cleaners is also a safe method of cleaning, but it is limited to those sapphires which are heat treated, untreated and the lattice diffusion treated stone. The cavity-filled gemstones are cleaned using a damp cloth.
Also read: Full Guide To Emerald vs. Sapphire (This is the Difference)
Location
Aquamarine was first discovered in Siberia. Today, this gemstone is mainly mined in Brazil. It is also found in smaller deposits in countries such as Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, Pakistan, Mozambique, and Russia. Sapphire was first discovered in Montana. Today, this gemstone is mined in countries such as Madagascar, Australia, and Malawi.
Uses
Jewelry
Both sapphires and aquamarines are attractive gemstones that are used in the production of jewelry, such as pendants, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Aquamarine inclusions are designed to make beautiful carvings and shapes of the jewelry.
It is believed that this gemstone has abilities to help one in public communication when they wear jewelry made of this gemstone.
Sapphires also have a significant impact on you when it gets into contact with your skin, as they can send their magical vibrations without any barrier. Jewelry made from these gemstones is highly available and moderately priced for affordability.
Home and office
Sapphire is kept at home and in offices because it has energies of truth and integrity, which one can use for guidance. It also has protective energy, which helps one to stay away from toxic vibes or friends.
Moreover, it makes us become more prayerful and feeds us with knowledge and the urge to make our lives better. In the workplace, this gemstone enables one to become creative, deal with people properly, and have honest communications. Sapphire is also of great help when used for spiritual practices.
Also read: Full Guide To Tanzanite vs. Sapphire (This is the Difference)
Properties
Both aquamarine and sapphire have energy that helps you in your everyday situations. Aquamarine is mainly associated with the sea, and thus it is believed to cleanse the people wearing it. Traditionally, it was said that it made sailors courageous and also kept them safe in the open waters.
It is also used as a stone of good luck as peace, joy, and happiness when you wear it. However, sapphire’s energy helps you to overcome health problems, eyesight, ear problems, headaches, and also cools fevers. This gemstone is known to be a stone of wisdom, stimulating concentration, creativity, and depth of thought and also enhancing purity.
It also calms the mind by taking away thoughts of depression and fills the mind and heart with love and serenity. They are also believed to help the heart with blood circulation and treat all blood disorders.
Also read: Full Guide To Peach Sapphire vs. Morganite (This is the Difference)
Chakra Association
Due to the aquamarine’s balancing power, it is mainly associated with the throat and heart chakra. It aids in communication and is primarily recommended during conflicts as it helps the conflicting parties to speak out about what is in their hearts.
It also helps to cool the fiery emotions that may facilitate physical fights. As a throat chakra gemstone, it aids in painful throats, swollen glands, and other thyroid-associated problems.
Sapphires do not have a specific chakra it deals with, as the chakras are dependent on their color. For instance, pink and green sapphire is associated with the heart chakra. They help improve your loyalty, compassion, and love for others.
The indigo sapphire is associated with the third eye chakra. When this chakra is stimulated. You can see the world in a whole new and better way. It makes you view all situations positively, no matter how bad it seems.
The blue sapphire is associated with the throat chakra, which helps you improve your communication. It enhances self-expression and the ability to speak out your mind with the highest honesty levels.
Zodiac Association
Aquamarine is usually a birthstone of March and a 19th anniversary stone. Its zodiac signs include Aries, Scorpio, Gemini, Aquarius, and Pisces. Formerly, this gemstone was said to be precious to the mermaids as when it was dropped in the sea waters, the sea would calm.
Pisces’ association is due to its many healing abilities. Sapphire is known to adjust appropriately, with mainly the Capricorn and the Aquarius.
Moreover, it is also associated with other zodiac signs, which are Gemini, Libra, Virgo, and Taurus. These associations help you to maintain leadership, make money, relieve you from pain, and enhance good sight.
Element Association
Both aquamarine and sapphire are water elements. The aquamarine name is derived from the Latin language “Aqua” means water, “mare” means sea. It is said to acquire its blue-green hues from the ocean. As a result, it is so sensitive to light, especially from the sun. The water element represents emotions and feelings.
Ruling Planet
Both Aquamarine and Sapphire have their ruling planet as Saturn. This planet teaches its indigenous members of patience, determination, hard work, and encouragement. Apart from Saturn, these two gemstones also have a special connection with Venus.
Aquamarine brings good results to the person wearing it, which is a fact associated with the Venus planet. Moreover, sapphire is connected to Venus as it represents Friday, a day that is dedicated to Venus.
Also read: Full Guide To Lapis Lazuli vs. Sapphire (This Is The Difference)
Numerical Vibration
Aquamarine has a numerical number of 1. It is known to be a high vibrational stone that aids you in finding and following the correct spiritual path. These vibrations are significant for meditation. It takes away confusion and clarifies perceptions.
The numerical vibration of the sapphire is usually at a frequency of 6. It has electromagnetic energy, which is acquired by absorption. This energy brings about peace and harmony within your soul. They also captivate blessings.
Best Combination
Aquamarine is combined with apatite and larimar to bring a calming effect to the body, mind, and soul. It can also be combined with sodalite to enhance creativity, self-discipline, and efficiency. Smoky quartz also makes a great combination of elevating your moods, relieving anxiety, and taking away negative thoughts, which could lead to depression.
To improve moods and happiness, sapphire is combined with dravite. It is also combined with diamonds to boost confidence and how one feels about themselves. It helps one to have self-love.
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