Lapis Lazuli vs Sapphire: What’s the Difference?

While both share the same family of colour, lapis lazuli and sapphire are very different from each other. Lapis is deep, matte, almost painter-like. It feels ancient, like it carries stories. Sapphire, though, sharp, glassy, built to take a knock and keep shining. The question is simple: which speaks to you? The one that whispers of history, or the one that glitters with strength? Let’s unpack the difference.

The Science Behind Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire

People often lump lapis and sapphire together just because they’re blue. That’s understandable, but it’s not accurate at all. Here’s the friendly lowdown.

What is Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphosis rock. It’s a blue stone, often sprinkled with golden flecks. That sparkle is pyrite, and the blue is from lazurite. If there’s white in it, that’s calcite. Most people prefer pieces that are mostly blue with just a hint of golden sparkle; that’s what a high-quality lapis lazuli looks like.

Long ago, lapis had all sorts of uses. People wore it as jewellery, and also crushed it up for makeup. Later, it was turned into ultramarine, a special blue pigment. Artists valued it so highly that they saved it for important paintings.

These days, it’s back to being mostly jewellery again: pendants, rings, charms. It’s bold but timeless. If you’re curious, read: A Guide To Most Popular Lapis Lazuli Jewellery Pieces.

What is Blue Sapphire?

So, sapphire. It’s just corundum, really. One mineral, that’s it. Except people lump it together with top-tier stones such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The colour? That’s from iron and titanium inside it. Gives it that bright blue. Not like lapis, though.

Lapis is solid, somewhat cloudy. Sapphire’s clear, so the light goes through and it sparkles. They don’t just sit on the surface either. You’ve got to dig for them. And if you want the really good ones? Sri Lanka. Everyone knows that place is for sapphires.

The Mohs Scale of Hardness: How Do They Compare?

There’s this thing called the Mohs scale. Basically, it’s a hardness chart for stones, running from 1 to 10. Diamond is the toughest at 10.

Lapis lazuli sits about halfway, at 5 or 6, so it’s quite soft and scratches if you’re not careful. Sapphire? That’s a 9. Really strong, which is why you see it in engagement rings and everyday pieces.

Lapis is still gorgeous, but better suited for jewellery that won’t get so much wear – pendants, earrings, or special occasion bits. In the same colour family, totally different levels of toughness.

Colour Comparison: The Vivid Blues of Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire

Lapis and sapphire are both famous for their blues. But they don’t look the same.

Lapis has that strong, velvet blue. Sometimes with little gold flecks that sparkle. If it’s full of white streaks, it’s not as prized. The cleaner, the better. That’s why the quality of lapis lazuli matters.

Sapphire feels more mysterious. Its blues shift from soft sky to the depth of midnight. But the stones that stand out, often from Sri Lanka, glow with a pure royal blue. Brilliant. Saturated. Alive.

In the end, lapis is about strong surface colour, while sapphire reveals its beauty through light. Two gems, two characters, one shared aesthetic and appeal.

Historical Significance: Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire Through the Ages

Lapis and sapphire. Two stones with histories that stretch back thousands of years.

Lapis lazuli was big in Egypt. Scarabs, amulets and everything the ancients considered sacred. Later, ultramarine paint – the kind that lit up Renaissance art. Mesopotamians and Persians saw it as a stone of wisdom, a shield almost.

Want the full story on Lapis? Read: Lapis Lazuli: The History and Meaning Behind the ‘Stone of Wisdom’.

Blue sapphire has always been royal. Kings and queens wore it for purity and divine favour. It slipped into engagement rings, too, becoming a family heirloom of sorts. A piece you don’t just wear, you keep.

The Healing Properties of Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire

Not everyone sees gemstones as just decorations. Some see them as tools, almost.

Look at Lapis Lazuli, for instance. Known as the “Stone of Wisdom.” Thought to bring mental clarity. To steady emotions. To make you more self-aware. Some believe it even boosts intelligence and honesty.

Then you’ve got Blue Sapphire. Big name in astrology, connected to Saturn. It’s said to help with focus, discipline, and spiritual understanding. Also thought to quieten the mind for meditation.

They overlap in some way, both linked to clarity. While sapphire has an astrological pull, lapis lazuli’s significance in history and with ancient Egypt’s nobility makes it stand out. 

Lapis Lazuli vs. Sapphire: Which is a Better Choice for Jewellery?

Sapphire, thanks to its durability, is amazing for everyday jewellery. On the other hand, lapis lazuli is perfect for unique pieces of jewellery.

Lapis lazuli is special. That deep blue, with little golden specks running through it; it looks like a piece of night sky you can wear. It’s bold, artsy, a bit dramatic. Perfect for a necklace that grabs attention, or earrings that feel different.

Sapphire, though, is another story. Hard as nails, seriously durable. Shiny too. It works for rings, everyday pieces, engagement jewellery, all the classic stuff.

So, what’s the deal? Lapis is for when you want something creative, almost mystical. Sapphire’s for when you want something timeless, polished, dependable. Two different moods. Both beautiful.

Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli as Birthstones: A Special Connection

Sapphire is September’s big one. Everyone says it’s about loyalty and truth. Feels dependable. Feels safe. That deep blue never really goes out of style either. But then there’s lapis lazuli. It’s a bit of a wild card. Not on the official charts, but astrologers love it. It’s especially connected to Libras.

Lapis is less polished, more rugged. Like you’re carrying a piece of history. Sapphire feels modern, lapis feels ancient. One sparkles, the other glows. Neither is better, just different. Some people stick to tradition. Others like the hidden meanings. And some just go with whichever one looks better on their hand. Nothing wrong with that either.

Conclusion

If gemstones had personalities, lapis and sapphire would be opposites who somehow get along.

Lapis is the storyteller. Rich blue, flecks of mystery, thousands of years etched in its glow.

Sapphire is the modern classic. Bright, structured, resilient. The kind of stone that never goes out of fashion.

You don’t really pick one over the other. You select the mood you want to carry. History or brilliance. Depth or dazzle.

Ready to explore lapis pieces for yourself? Browse our collection: Lapis Lazuli Jewellery.