Pink Sapphire Clarity

If you’re considering purchasing a pink sapphire, you’ll want to get a quality gem for your money, and we have some tips to help. Like other gemstones, you’ll use the 4Cs to evaluate each pink sapphire (carat, cut, color, and clarity). We’ll discuss clarity in-depth so you’ll be prepared a stunning pink sapphire for any time of fine jewelry, such as engagement rings, earrings, and necklaces.

Gemstone Clarity

Clarity refers to any inclusions the stone has and how “clear” it appears. Natural gemstones have inclusions, and some have more than others. Rubies and emeralds tend to have more inclusions than other gemstones, such as amethyst and aquamarine. Some gemstones, such as diamonds, have very specific clarity grading because the inclusions can interfere with the diamonds sparkle and brilliance.

Clarity and Pink Sapphire Value

The better the clarity of the gem, the higher the value. Keep in mind that the clarity is one aspect of the gem’s quality, and you’ll also need to take a closer look at the cut, carat, and color of the pink sapphire. You’ll also want to ask if the gemstone has been treated. Many are for clarity and color, so it’s a good question to ask.

Inclusions demonstrate that the stone is natural, but some can be a distraction. Gem cutters try to cut the stone to include the fewest amount of inclusions. Some stones are “eye clean,” meaning they don’t have any visible inclusions with the naked eye. However, pink sapphires typically have some natural inclusions that you can see. Any “eye clean” pink sapphire will be the most valuable. Pink sapphires with too many inclusions are repurposed into beads or another type of gemstone jewelry.

Types of Pink Sapphire Inclusions

You might be wondering what type of inclusions you’ll see in pink sapphires. Each gemstone has varying types of inclusions, and the most common inclusions of a pink sapphire include needles, fingerprints, feathers, smaller crystals or cavities.

Needles

Another common inclusion, needles can be larger and distinct, or smaller and look like silk. Some stones, such as rubies and sapphires, have a whole bunch of needles arranged in such a way that they form a star. In amethyst, these generally make the gem opaque and lower in value. However, deeply colored amethyst gemstones with needles are beautifully made into carvings or cabochons.

Fingerprints

Fingerprint inclusions are commonly seen in rubies and sapphires. They’re a cloudy, net-like hollow inclusion filled with liquid and gas that form patterns resembling fingerprints around the crystal inclusion.

Feathers

Some feather inclusions are noticeable while others are not. They look like a crack within the diamond that has a feathery look when viewed from a right angle.

Smaller Crystals

Fairly frequently, an amethyst crystal will “run into” another, smaller crystal while it’s growing. Typically, that other crystal was there first, but quartz, in general, has a way of growing around other minerals. Crystal inclusions will usually look like a spot of another color inside the stone, and are identified by the crystalline structure of the inclusion.

Cavities

Similar to the indented natural, a cavity is formed when another type of inclusion falls out during cutting and polishing. These are problems that happen even when a gem cutter is being careful. Amethyst rings white gold might have them hidden behind a prong, making them hard to see.

Pink Sapphire Clarity Scale

Like other gemstones, sapphires are graded depending on the amount of inclusions in the stone. Inclusions are naturally occurring crystal growths. Even the best natural stones are not expected to be totally inclusion free. If it looks completely clean, you’ll also want to make sure it’s natural versus synthetic. Stones can also have surface blemishes, like scratches or chips, so it’s important you inspect the stone carefully yourself.

Pink sapphires typically tend to have some inclusions compared to other gemstones, and these make your stone unique. The best clarity grade for pink sapphires is perfection, meaning it is completely clear to the naked eye (eye clean). The next clarity grades are VVS (Very Very Slightly included) and VS (Very Slightly included) grading. These gradings acknowledge very small inclusions, but they don’t seriously impair the sapphire’s appearance.