Are Emeralds or Sapphires More Expensive? A Clear Price Comparison
Jun 23,2025 | BlingKu
If you're shopping for a meaningful gemstone or comparing birthstone jewelry, it's natural to ask: Are emeralds more expensive than sapphires? The answer depends on several factors like origin, clarity, color, and whether the stone is natural or lab-created.
Here’s a complete breakdown of emerald vs sapphire price, value, and buying tips so you can make the right choice for your next jewelry investment.
🌿 Emeralds: The Birthstone of May
Emeralds are known for their vivid green hue and deep symbolism—representing growth, love, and renewal. As the official May birthstone, emeralds have long been prized for their rarity and vibrant color.
Emerald Pricing Factors:
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Natural emeralds with high clarity and vivid color can be extremely valuable
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Lab-grown emeralds offer ethical, affordable alternatives
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Eye-visible inclusions are common and accepted, but affect price
💰 High-quality natural emeralds often range from $500 to $5,000+ per carat, depending on clarity and color.
🔷 Sapphires: The Birthstone of September
Sapphires are traditionally blue, but can also be found in pink, yellow, and white varieties. Known for their durability and brilliance, sapphires symbolize wisdom and truth.
Sapphire Pricing Factors:
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Kashmir and Burmese sapphires command premium prices
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Clarity and color uniformity impact cost
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Lab-created sapphires are more affordable and visually flawless
💰 High-grade natural sapphires typically range from $300 to $4,000 per carat—with rare varieties going much higher.
💎 So, Are Emeralds More Expensive Than Sapphires?
In general:
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Top-quality emeralds can surpass sapphires in price due to their rarity and fragility
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Emeralds are more likely to contain inclusions, yet still retain high value
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Sapphires are more durable, which can make them more practical for everyday wear
If you're comparing similar-quality stones, emeralds are often more expensive, but not always.
🛍 Buying Tips: Emerald or Sapphire?
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💚 Choose emerald birthstone jewelry for a unique, symbolic gift—especially for May birthdays
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🔷 Choose sapphire jewelry for classic durability and elegance—ideal for everyday rings
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💡 For budget-friendly options, consider lab-grown gems with excellent clarity
✨ Shop Affordable Birthstone Jewelry at BlingKu
At BlingKu, we offer ethically crafted emerald and sapphire birthstone jewelry in elegant S925 sterling silver settings. Whether you prefer a rich green May birthstone necklace or a timeless sapphire ring, our collections balance style, value, and meaning.
🎁 Why customers love us:
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Hypoallergenic & nickel-free
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Free shipping to U.S. & Canada
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Gift-ready packaging included
✅ Final Thoughts
So, are emeralds or sapphires more expensive? It depends on the quality, origin, and type (natural vs lab-grown). But both gemstones offer beauty, symbolism, and lasting value. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant green of an emerald birthstone necklace or the royal elegance of a sapphire ring, you can’t go wrong.