Dark & Navy Blue Gemstone Jewelry

The deep blues of such luscious gemstones as sapphire, tanzanite, London blue topaz, lapis and sodalite, all have been among the most popular gemstones for centuries. Set into the crowns of royals, used as decorations in prized pottery, laid into the tilework of decorations in the homes of the wealthy, integrated into amulets to keep the wearer safe… in cultures around the world, deep blue gemstones have always been highly valued. These evoke thoughts of romantic summer night skies and deep ocean vistas. Whether they bring feelings of love, calm, or protection, the deep blues we sometimes call cobalt blue, midnight blue, marine blue, royal blue, peacock blue – all the descriptive names applied to this color array speak to how desirable they have always been in fashion, home design, and especially in jewelry. And so versatile, as these shades can be perfect for wintry wardrobes, but also are the cornerstone of seaside nautical themes and summertime wear. Fortunately, Mother Nature supplies us with a treasure trove of gems to choose from, for all your outfits and occasions!

Sapphire, one of the most popular and precious of gems, comes in many shades of blue, from deep midnight to light cornflower, as well as in a rainbow of other colors. Sapphires have long been prized by royalty, but today they are attainable in their various hues, due to modern methods of enhancing their natural milky shade to the beautiful blues we love to wear. The heating used to give us those deep blues is a permanent process. Lucky for all of us! Tanzanite, found only in one area of the entire world, is valued for its exquisite purplish blue hue, and in its richest deep coloration is quite rare. 

Tanzanite, like sapphire, is at its most beautiful when it has been heated to enhance its natural shades. Sometimes, Mother Earth has already heated it for us; most often, man has helped it along. Again, this is a permanent color change. However, while sapphire is extremely hard and durable, tanzanite is more delicate, and care should be taken to avoid sharp changes in temperature, and it is easily chipped or broken. 

“London” blue topaz has the deepest saturation of blue among all the colors of blue topaz, all of which are widely used in jewelry designs. Like so many other gems, topaz normally begins as a colorless to brownish gem, and is irradiated to bring its blue hues to life. This treatment, like the others described above, is stable and requires no special care. 

Lapis lazuli and sodalite, more opaque gemstones in the royal blue to dark blue palette, have been used through the eons to adorn jewels and home items for the most wealthy, and happily as a very affordable contemporary choice today. These gems may have intriguing natural “veins” of lighter minerals woven through, for extra visual interest.