Fine Jewellery Atelier
Sapphire-Pink
Pink Sapphires are the pink variety of Sapphires, they are also the most popular after Blue Sapphires. As part of the Sapphire family, Pink Sapphire is also the birthstone for September. Pink sapphires are the second most expensive in the fancy colour range of Sapphires, right after Padparadscha.
History & Lore
The largest Pink Sapphire weighs at an astounding 214.5 Cts and is currently on the hands of a private collector. Pink Sapphires have always been popular amongst Sapphires, due to its vivid colour and the fact that it can appear in almost every pink shade.
Colour
Pink Sapphires range from pink to purple-pink, with stones of vivid saturations being the most desired colour. There has been a long controversy as what qualifies as a Pink Sapphire and what qualifies as a Ruby, with many experts having their own opinion on it. GIA grades based on the dominant hue, so if the dominant hue is red, that stone will be classified as Ruby. Some labs give special names to different colours of Pink Sapphires, just like they do for Ruby and Blue Sapphires. Lotus Laboratory uses the terms hot pink to describe Pink Sapphires that has a bit more bluish-red and strong red fluorescence, Fuchsia to describe a colour of intense purplish-red, more red than hot pink. Such reports with special colours will normally be a value adding factor to the purchasing price of Pink Sapphires.
Clarity
Pink Sapphires, just like other Sapphires, are normally slightly included. Even in top quality stones of expensive prices, there might still be inclusions visible. Inclusions are a good indicator of origin.
Origin
Pink Sapphires can come from many origins, but the most prominent remains in Burma, Sri Lanka and Mozambique, with Burmese Pink Sapphires topping the list in prices. Other than Burmese Sapphires, Pink Sapphires from other origins generally have not much price differences compared to each other. Before 1990, Pink Sapphires were very rare, until the discovery of one of the biggest Pink Sapphire’s deposits, located in Madagascar.
Treatments
Pink Sapphires, like other corundum, are commonly heated to achieve a better colour. Pink Sapphires in large sizes and in good saturated colours are very difficult to find.
Synthetics
Being such an expensive, rare and beautiful gemstone, it is not a surprise that people have come up with synthetic stones for Pink Sapphires. We recommend either getting Pink Sapphires from trusted dealer or request a certificate from a reputable laboratory.
Care
Being part of the corundum group of gemstones, Pink Sapphires have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, that is only second to Diamonds. It is also excellent in toughness and does not break easily when struck. These factors make Pink Sapphires a great choice and any form of jewellery and mountings for daily wear. Pink Sapphires can be cleaned by using warm soapy water and a soft brush.