Comparison · Precious Stones vs Semi-Precious Stones
Sapphire vs Zircon
Sapphire and Zircon are easy to confuse. Sapphire is harder (Mohs 9) than Zircon (Mohs 7.5), so Sapphire will scratch Zircon and not the other way round. It scratches glass, steel and even quartz; only harder gems will mark it. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Sapphire and Zircon
- Sapphire is harder (Mohs 9) than Zircon (Mohs 7.5), so Sapphire will scratch Zircon and not the other way round. It scratches glass, steel and even quartz; only harder gems will mark it.
- Zircon feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 4.6 versus 4 for Sapphire).
- They overlap in blue, yellow, and green, but Sapphire also comes in pink, orange, and white and Zircon also comes in clear, red, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Sapphire is trigonal, Zircon is tetragonal.
Sapphire vs Zircon properties
| Property | Sapphire | Zircon |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Precious Stones | Semi-Precious Stones |
| Mohs hardness | 9 | 7.5 |
| Luster | adamantine | adamantine |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 4 | 4.6 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Blue, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Green, White | Colorless, Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Brown |
| Rarity | rare | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $500–$50000+ | $50–$2000+ |
Which is more valuable?
Sapphire is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $5000 against $200 for Zircon, and premium Sapphire can reach $50000 or more.
About Sapphire
Sapphire is a variety of corundum in any color except red. Blue sapphires are most prized, especially the legendary Kashmir stones.
About Zircon
Zircon is one of the oldest minerals on Earth, with some crystals over 4 billion years old. Not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia.
Sapphire vs Zircon FAQ
Is Sapphire the same as Zircon?
No. Sapphire is a precious stone while Zircon is a semi-precious stone. Sapphire is harder (Mohs 9) than Zircon (Mohs 7.5), so Sapphire will scratch Zircon and not the other way round. It scratches glass, steel and even quartz; only harder gems will mark it.
How can you tell Sapphire from Zircon?
Sapphire is harder (Mohs 9) than Zircon (Mohs 7.5), so Sapphire will scratch Zircon and not the other way round. It scratches glass, steel and even quartz; only harder gems will mark it. Zircon feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 4.6 versus 4 for Sapphire). They overlap in blue, yellow, and green, but Sapphire also comes in pink, orange, and white and Zircon also comes in clear, red, and brown.
Which is harder, Sapphire or Zircon?
Sapphire is harder: Mohs 9 against Mohs 7.5 for Zircon.
Which is more valuable, Sapphire or Zircon?
Sapphire is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $5000 against $200 for Zircon, and premium Sapphire can reach $50000 or more.
