Pink Sapphire: Tough Stone, Soft Tone
 For all of you sapphire lovers out there, pink sapphire is a must have. A durable gemstone, pink sapphire, with its various hues of pink, can look gentle or vividly bold. In addition to pleasing the eyes with a price that is much lower than that of a natural pink diamond, pink sapphire will surely please your pocketbook.
Pink sapphire occurs naturally and has been found in several places, such as Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Australia, Thailand, and the United States. Its color is affected by chromium content within the stone. Pink sapphire is part of the corundum family of minerals. The word “sapphire” comes from the Greek word “sappheiros” and is the name given to corundum that is of gem quality. Any corundum that is not red in color is known as sapphire. Red corundum is more commonly known as ruby.
 There used to be some confusion on the proper classification between pink sapphire and ruby. Due to the similarity of colors, it was difficult to distinguish where (dark) pink sapphire classification ended and where (light red) ruby’s classification began. As a result, pink sapphire was sometimes referred to as pink ruby. In modern times, however, the consensus is that any red coloration will designate the stone as being a ruby.
As far as the coloration of a pink sapphire gemstone is concerned, vivid or rich pink is more desirable to have than pale pink. Clear, rich, deep colored pink sapphire is more expensive than the softer shades of pink. Pink sapphire costs a little more than blue sapphire, but here’s the great news…pink sapphire is much more affordable than natural pink diamonds. Consequently, many gemstone jewelry enthusiasts seek to use pink sapphires as alternatives to the more expensive natural pink diamonds.
For gemstone cutters, it is important to cut lighter shades of pink sapphire carefully in order to bring out more sparkle and brilliance for greater attractiveness to the eyes. Deeper, darker pink sapphire stones don’t usually require as much meticulous cutting detail since their color is usually enough in itself to dazzle the eyes.
Sapphire gemstones that are not blue in color are known as fancy sapphires. Fancy sapphires have been found in a variety of colors, such as pink, purple, yellow, orange, and green/blue. Pinkish orange sapphire is known as padparadscha.
 In addition to being a naturally occurring gemstone, pink sapphire has also been lab-created. Sapphire is a very durable gemstone, rating a 9.0 (second only to diamonds at 10.0) on the Mohs scale of hardness. However, even though it is a tough rock, it is advisable not to wear it during strenuous activities. The best cleaning method for pink sapphire is warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.
With its strength and beauty, pink sapphire is a gemstone that can take you places. In return, take it places and be sure to show it off. Anyone can be pretty in pink, and being pretty can also save you money.
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