Pink Sapphire Grading

By: WC Editorial Team Read Time: 2 mins Gemstone Insights

May 31, 2023

Pink sapphires continue to grow in popularity because they stun with dazzling sparkle, unique hues, and symbolic meaning. As with most gemstones, the four Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat weight) impact the stone's quality. Before you shop for pink sapphires, learn about how pink sapphires are graded so that you know how to evaluate and appreciate each pink sapphire you see.

How are Pink Sapphires Graded? How to Grade Pink Sapphire Color How to Grade Pink Sapphire Clarity How to Grade Pink Sapphire Cut How to Grade Pink Sapphire Carat Weight Pink Sapphire Grading Chart Pink Sapphire Pricing Why Pick a Pink Sapphire?

How are Pink Sapphires Graded?

Pink sapphires differ from other gems in many ways. One, its price is not linked to the carat weight of the stone. Instead, gemologists consider color one of the most important factors for assessing (aka grading) the stone. Gemologists also consider clarity, cut and carat weight for grading.

How to Grade Pink Sapphire Color

Pink sapphire color is an important aspect, and generally the more saturated hues tend to be more valuable. You'll find a bunch of hues for pink sapphires varying from intense magenta to light pink and even purple.

How to Grade Pink Sapphire Clarity

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 inclusions in pink sapphires include:

Needles
Fingerprints
Feathers
Cavities

How to Grade Pink Sapphire Cut

Pink sapphires are cut to enhance their color. They're cut by how pretty its shape is, the symmetry of its facets, and how it reflects light. In addition to traditional cuts, you'll find unique shapes, such as ovals, pears, cushion, and Asscher.

How to Grade Pink Sapphire Carat Weight

Carat weight refers to the size of the pink sapphire by weight, not visual size. Sapphires tend to be heavier than diamonds, so a 1 carat sapphire may look smaller than a 1 carat diamond. Pink sapphires over 1 carat are rare, and a pink sapphire over 4 carats is considered extremely rare.

Pink Sapphire Grading Chart

Unlike diamonds, pink sapphires don't have a standard grading chart. Here's a guideline for how pink sapphires get categorized in terms of quality.

Good: A “good” pink sapphire is lighter pink in color. Light doesn't pass through this classification of pink sapphire. It is considered an entry level grading for fine jewelry.
Better: A “better” pink sapphire's color exudes a light to medium pink hue. A limited amount of light passes through the gemstone. You'll see small, natural inclusions with the naked eye.
Best: A “best” graded pink sapphire has a medium pink color. You'll see very minor visible inclusions with the naked eye. This category belongs to only the top 10% pink sapphires in the world.
Heirloom: An “heirloom” pink sapphire has deep, intense, and royal velvety pink color. It features incredible brilliance in both daylight and artificial light. This type of pink sapphire is among the best available in the world and more rare.

Pink Sapphire Pricing

The cost of pink sapphires vary based on the grading. Talk about the general cost of this gem based on the quality grades mentioned above. An heirloom, high-quality pink sapphire could cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per carat. Grades below heirloom will be more affordable because the quality is not as good.

Why Pick a Pink Sapphire?

Pink sapphires have unique color, make stunning engagement rings, and are more affordable than pink diamonds. All of these factors, in addition to being stunning, sparkling gemstones, make this gem an increasingly popular stone option for fine jewelry, especially rings, earrings, and necklaces.

Shop Sapphire Jewelry

FAQs

What is the best shade of a pink sapphire?

Pink sapphires, like other sapphire colors, come in a range of shades. You’ll find intense magenta to light pink and even purple. You’ll find the perfect shade of pink for you in the wide range of pink hues. Generally the more saturated hues tend to be more valuable.

Is pink sapphire a valuable gem?

Pink sapphires are a valuable yet affordable gemstone. The cost of the stone depends on the quality and rarity of the stone. Pink sapphires over 1 carat are rare, and a pink sapphire over 4 carats counts as extremely rare. The rarity of these sized stones make them more valuable.

How do you spot a fake pink sapphire?

There are a few ways professionals can determine if a pink sapphire is real or not. One key is to look at the inclusions within the stone with a microscope or magnifying glass. Lab-created sapphires can be flawless but natural sapphires often have flaws and inclusions. Use a microscope or a jeweler’s loupe to examine the gemstone. A synthetic stone made with glass will have bubbles.

What is the highest quality pink sapphire?

There are plenty of factors that impact the pink sapphire, including the cut, color, clarity, and color. The color impacts the quality, so look for a saturated hue that’s not too light or too dark. The cut is always an important factor as well. A very rare version of the pink sapphire is a pinkish-orange padparadscha sapphire that comes from Sri Lanka, and its name comes from Sri Lanka’s lotus blossoms.