Pink Sapphire Formation
Sapphires are a sought-after gemstone because they’re durable, sparkling, and available in unique hues. Most people think of the blue variety of sapphires, but they’re available in yellow, green, white, purple and pink. Technically, pink sapphires are stones that are not red enough to be considered a ruby. Both sapphires and rubies are varieties of the mineral corundum, but the only difference between the two gemstones is the color.
Pink sapphires are a rare, beautiful precious gemstone with increasing popularity by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. They’re a valuable gemstone because of their unique color that varies from a light pink to a deep magenta.
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The Science Behind Pink Sapphire Formation
Like diamonds, sapphires take millions of years to form, and no two natural sapphires look the same. They’re formed beneath the earth’s surface under immense pressure and intense heat out of a mineral called corundum (aluminum oxide) that seeps into cracks in igneous or metamorphic rocks. Once the liquid cools, it turns into colorless crystals. However, when tiny traces of other minerals (often as little as 1%) mix with corundum, it turns the stone into various colors such as red, pink, blue, yellow, orange, etc. If the chromium content is higher you get a deeper red color, which makes the stone a ruby. If the content is lower, then you'll see a pink sapphire.
Colorless sapphires are rare because even a trace of another element alters the stone’s color. Most corundum contains color-causing trace elements. When the trace elements are iron and titanium, the corundum is blue sapphire. Only a few hundredths of a percent of iron and titanium can cause the color, and the more iron the corundum contains, the darker the blue. For pink sapphires, the more chromium, the deeper the pink hue.
Where Are Pink Sapphires Found?
Pink sapphires used to be considered extremely rare until additional pink sapphire deposits were discovered in Madagascar in the late 1990s. Until then, pink sapphires were considered exceptionally rare since they were only found in a few locations around the world. Most popular locations being Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and East Africa.
An extremely rare version of the pink sapphire is a pinkish-orange padparadscha sapphire that comes from Sri Lanka. The name came from the color of Sri Lanka’s lotus blossoms. Some describe the hue as a mixture between the color of a sunset and lotus blossoms. There are also orange sapphires from Tanzania’s Umba Valley. While they are orange in color, it tends to be much darker than the ideal, with brownish overtones. Thus most collectors do not feel they qualify as true padparadschas.
The Cultural Significance of Pink Sapphires
Sapphires represent the higher mind allowing one to connect to your intuition, improve clarity, and increase self-control. These gemstones were used throughout history for protection, good fortune, and spiritual discernment. Different cultures wore sapphires as protection from evil. In some Asian stories, these gemstones get compared to the sacred lotus flower that represents beauty, wisdom, and purity.
Some think pink sapphires act like magnets that attract good in your life. It is a stone of spiritual power and wisdom that also brings prosperity and helps sustain the gifts of life. It promotes the fulfillment of dreams and desires.
Pink sapphires increase one’s appreciation and gratitude, and promotes the thought that love is its own reward. It’s supposed to remind us of the desire of our hearts.
If you are considering a multi-stone setting, choose your accents wisely. Halos can help add sparkle to the ring, but they may also detract from the heart's shape, making it look more round or cushioned. Three stone settings can do the same, diffusing the edges of the heart shape and obscuring its unique look.
The color and the meaning has made pink sapphires a popular gemstone for engagement rings and fine jewelry gifts. Collectors also appreciate the value of this rare gemstone.
Conclusion
Pink sapphires elevate any piece of fine jewelry, so it’s no surprise that this rare gemstone is popular for earrings, necklaces, and engagement rings. They’re a durable and valuable gemstone for gemstone collectors or jewelry enthusiasts. The pink hues can vary from a light pink to a deep magenta, so you’ll find your perfect shade of pink.
FAQs
Is pink sapphire a rare gem?
Pink sapphires are rare, but were considered more rare in the past. They were only found in select locations around the globe including Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In the late 1990s, folks discovered pink sapphires in Madagascar. An extremely rare version of the pink sapphire is a pinkish-orange padparadscha sapphire that comes from Sri Lanka. The name came from the color of Sri Lanka’s lotus blossoms.
What is the significance of pink sapphires in jewelry?
Pink sapphires symbolize love, truth, good fortune, strength through hardships, and feminine power. Sapphires represent the higher mind allowing one to connect to your intuition, improve clarity, and increase self-control. These gemstones were used throughout history for protection, good fortune, and spiritual discernment.
Is the color of pink sapphire natural?
Yes, pink sapphires are natural. Sapphires are known for their blue color, but they come in pink, white, yellow, and green. when tiny traces of other minerals (often as little as 1%) mix with corundum, it turns the stone into various colors such as red, pink, blue, yellow, orange, etc. If the chromium content is higher you get a deeper red color, which makes the stone a ruby. If the content is lower, then you'll see a pink sapphire.
How is a pink sapphire graded?
Color is the most important grading factor for pink sapphires, and then cut, carat , and clarity are also factored in. The most coveted pink sapphire colors are saturated purplish red hues with a medium tone. This shade is known as “hot pink” or “bubble-gum pink.”
