From deep blue to light sky blue, blue gemstones offer a diverse range of hues that evoke serenity, power, and timeless beauty.
Whether you’re shopping for engagement rings or just love the color blue, there’s a gem to match every shade and mood. Let’s explore 15 stunning stones that define blue gemstone jewelry.
1. Blue Sapphire
The quintessential blue gemstone, blue sapphire is prized for its vivid blue hues and durability. Often used in engagement rings, it’s one of the most expensive blue gemstones, especially in larger carat weight or gem quality.
2. Blue Diamond
Among the rarest gemstones, blue diamonds are also among the most expensive blue gemstones. Their blue hue typically comes from trace amounts of boron in the crystal structure.
3. Blue Topaz
Topaz comes in many shades, but blue topaz — especially Swiss blue and London blue topaz — offers vibrant blue color at an accessible price point. It’s ideal for everyday wear.
4. Blue Tourmaline
Also known as indicolite, blue tourmaline ranges from pale blue to deep blue hues. Paraiba tourmaline, with its electric blue and bluish green tones, is extremely rare and highly sought-after.
5. Lapis Lazuli
This opaque stone delivers dark blue shades often flecked with gold pyrite. Revered since ancient times, lapis lazuli has adorned jewelry, sculptures, and sacred art.
6. Blue Spinel
A hidden gem, blue spinel displays vibrant tones and is frequently mistaken for sapphire. It’s growing in popularity due to its rarity and durability.
7. Blue Zircon
Not to be confused with cubic zirconia, blue zircon is a natural zircon known for its brilliance and light blue to sky blue hues. It even splits white light, creating extra sparkle.
8. Blue Apatite
With a neon-like blue-green glow, blue apatite is popular among collectors. Though softer than other blue stones, it’s valued for its stunning beauty.
9. Blue Lace Agate
This calming stone features bands of pale blue and white, making it ideal for jewelry wear that emphasizes gentle elegance.
10. Blue Chalcedony
Smooth and milky, blue chalcedony radiates a soft blue hue that pairs beautifully with white gold and other blue gemstones.
11. Blue Jadeite
Rare and mesmerizing, blue jadeite is harder to find than its green counterpart. It appeals to jewelry enthusiasts looking for something exceptionally rare.
12. Blue Akoya Pearls
Cultured in Japanese waters, blue Akoya pearls showcase oceanic hues with subtle iridescence. They bring a unique twist to traditional pearl strands.
13. Blue Opal
Peruvian and Andean blue opals are semitranslucent, often exhibiting internal shimmer from microscopic silica spheres.
14. Blue Moonstone
Known for its adularescence (a milky, bluish sheen), blue moonstone glows with soft blue shades that appear to move under light. It’s both mystical and modern.
15. Lab-created Blue Gemstones
Lab-created blue gemstones mimic the beauty of natural blue stones but are crafted for consistency, cost, and ethical sourcing. Common examples include synthetic sapphire and spinel.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
