Crystals from the same range of colors can be VERY HARD to tell apart! But, don’t worry.
Purple Sapphire and Amethyst are both crystals that can vary slightly in tone, which makes them hard to differentiate at first.
Although, as I mentioned before, you are not meant to pick a crystal just because you like its looks. You need to be in sync with it. Your intentions and your purpose need to match the crystal.
Let’s now see the differences between the Purple Sapphire and Amethyst, not only physically but also related to their properties.
After you read until the end, you’ll feel more attracted to one of these two! As they have crazy differences impacts on your life.
About Purple Sapphire
Sapphire is a variety of corundum which is a mineral composed of aluminum oxide.
It is a rare, valuable, and beautiful gemstone known for its beautiful, rich color. The deeper the color, the rarer and more valuable the stone.
Historically, its origins date back to ancient civilizations where it was used as a symbol of royalty, prestige,and wisdom.
Spiritually, Purple Sapphire is a powerful stone of awakening.
Because of this it is perfect to use during meditations and is said to stimulate the rise of Kundalini energy — a spiritual and intimate energy from within the base of the spine that can be used to rise to the crown chakra.
Purple Sapphire is mainly associated with Crown Chakra and the Third Eye energy.
Meaning it can be used to open and further understand one’s spirituality and psychic abilities. They are also believed to have magical, intuitive properties, and they were used to promote good luck.
Physically and emotionally, it will help you de-stress, ease insomnia and activate your Pineal Gland.
It is a great stone for your emotional well-being and will help you remain emotionally well-balance and stable.
Read all the differences between Jade and Jadeite.
About Amethyst
Amethyst is a type of quartz, the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, crystal that is also known for its beautiful purple color.
It can vary between light and deep and also contains iron and titanium impurities.
Similar to Purple Sapphire, Amethyst was regarded as a symbol of royalty in early Greek and Roman societies for centuries.
It is even believed that Amethyst was the ninth stone on the breastplate of the high priest of Israel making it religiously significant and important too.
Its name comes from the Greek word “amethystos,” meaning “not drunk,” because they believed that wearing or using Amethyst could protect against and prevent intoxication.
Today, Amethyst is a powerful, protective crystal that carries a high spiritual vibration.
It is mostly associated with the third eye, crown and etheric chakras, making it extremely spiritual.
Because of this amethyst is believed to enhance meditation, intuition, wisdom, spiritual contact and enlightenment.
It is often used to open and activate the third eye and crown chakras, fostering a deeper connection to higher states of consciousness.
Physically and emotionally, it is used to heal addictive behavior and harmful thought patterns.
It is also said to be good for a number of health-related issues such as hormone regulation, imbalances and healing the nervous, metabolic and immune systems.
It is a very calming stone, used to soothe and ease one’s emotions, promoting emotional centering.
Purple Sapphire VS Amethyst: Main differences
Purple Sapphire and Amethyst are both beautiful gemstones that are known for their purple color and may at times, even be confused for one another.
However, there are some very important key differences between the two stones:
- Hardness: Purple Sapphire is stronger and harder than Amethyst;
- Mineral: One is a variety of corundum and the other is a quartz;
- Color contrast: Purple Sapphires typically have a deeper, richer purple color than amethysts. Amethysts can range in color from pale lilac to a deep reddish-purple;
- Price and value: Sapphires are more expensive than Amethysts because they are rarer and are harder. Also, because Purple Sapphires are made up of the same mineral that produces rubies and blue sapphires and is even rarer than rubies or blue sapphires;
- Healing Properties: They differ slightly in that Amethyst is also extremely protective and soothing;
- Differing and more specific spiritual, physical and emotional benefits and abilities;
- Availability: Purple sapphires are less common than amethysts. They are found in a few select countries. Amethysts are found in many different countries and continents around the world.
Also read the main differences between White Jade and Green Jade.
5 Differences between Purple Sapphire and Amethyst
1) Composition and Chemical Makeup
Purple Sapphire is a corundum and gets its color pigmentation from vanadium (a metal found in the Earth’s crust) and its trace amounts of chromium, iron and titanium.
Amethyst is a type of quartz, which is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide. The purple color is caused by trace amounts of iron and titanium.
These slightly distinct mineral compositions result in their individual and separate visual appearances, energies, and properties that set them apart in the world of crystals.
2) Rarity and Value
Purple Sapphire’s rarity stems from its specific blend of trace elements, making deeper shades exceptionally scarce and valuable.
The stone’s rarity enhances its desirability among collectors and enthusiasts. Similarly, Amethyst’s value increases with its depth of color, structure and clarity.
However, Purple Sapphire’s position as a variety of corundum places it in the category of precious gemstones.
Amethyst used to be considered one of the five cardinal precious gemstones.
However, when large deposits were discovered they became a lot more common and now belong to the semi-precious stone, quartz family.
Amethyst is also priced significantly less than Purple Sapphire and is found in more countries and regions across the world.
3) Spiritual Significance and Benefits
Amethyst is revered for its potent spiritual resonance, primarily associated to the Third Eye, Crown, and Etheric chakras.
It carries a calming energy that promotes powerful, meaning meditations, heightened intuition, and greater spiritual enlightenment, facilitating a greater connection to a higher consciousness.
While also playing a powerful role in warding off negative influences as well as transmuting negative energy around you.
In contrast, Purple Sapphire is known as the stone of spiritual awakenings and unlocking powerful psychic abilities — although it also resonates with the Crown Chakra.
Its ties to Kundalini energy spark informed, transformative experiences, while its magical properties foster self-mastery and clarity.
So although similar in some way they align with very specific differing aspects of spirituality.
4) Hardness and Color
Purple sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, to put this into context a diamond rates at a 10.
This makes it one of the hardest gemstones and less likely to be susceptible to scratches, wear and tear unless harmed with something stronger than it.
Purple sapphire doesn’t fade and the impurities in it as well as many other factors give it a larger range of color varieties than that of amethyst.
Amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a hard, but softer gemstone in comparison meaning it can be damaged more easily.
Amethyst can lose its color in the sunlight causing it to fade.
The difference in each of these stones’ hardness levels affects the stone’s durability in jewelry placements and uses.
Finally, Purple Sapphire has a wider range of color hues that can affect its visual appeal.
5) Physical Healing Properties
Amethyst is aid to help with insomnia, anxiety, and stress.
It is also said to detoxify the body and improve blood circulation — making it great to help you reduce bruising and swelling.
This stone also helps soothe and calm those who suffer from OCD and anger related issues. Also, it will help you strengthen your immune system and through offering clarity of mind will help you fight off addictions.
Purple sapphire is believed to help with headaches, migraines, and eye problems.
It is also said to boost the immune system and improve circulation but can heal your body in a cellular level.
It is known to strengthen your veins and help you heal and uncover blood related disorders.
It’s also worth noting that purple sapphire is sometimes used to treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
Read the main differences between Satin Spar and Selenite.
Should I use Purple Sapphire or Amethyst?
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Both of these gemstones offer such unique qualities and healing abilities that can benefit and change your life.
Choose Purple Sapphire if:
- You are looking for a rare, timeless, statement piece and you don’t mind spending a little more money. They are great for occasional use (because of their value) and or someone who is a collector of precious stones (because of their rarity);
- Spiritually, you are looking for something to promote a spiritual awakening, spiritual connection on your journey and or you need to enhance, explore and discover your psychic abilities;
- If you intrigued by the magic of the stone and its ties to Kundalini energy;
- You need to heal the physical ailments associated with its energy and presence;
- You are drawn to it
Choose Amethyst if:
- You’re looking for a more affordable, easily available (and therefore somewhat replaceable) gemstone that is better suited for everyday use;
- You are looking for a spiritual, calming, soothing stone that will help with emotional well-being and emotional balance;
- You are looking for a protective crystal;
- You feel like you need the crystal;
- You are looking for the specific physical and healing properties that amethyst is known to provide.
Remember, once you have a good understanding of what you are looking for, you can start to narrow down your choices.
Know that when it comes to choosing between these two crystals, it doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Keep in mind that there are many other crystals and gemstones that could be what you are looking for and better suited — than Amethyst or Purple Sapphire as an alternative to the other.
Before you leave, read the differences between Yellow Quartz and Citrine.
Final Words
Ultimately, the best gemstone for you is the one that you can work with and benefits you the most.
Whether you choose Purple Sapphire or Amethyst, both stones offer powerful healing and spiritual properties and you just need to pick the one that best suits what you are looking for.
Listen to your intuition, do your research and choose the stone that feels right for you.
