How Can You Tell if a Pink Sapphire Is Real?

If you’re looking for a gemstone that’ll instantly win hearts, you should definitely bring home a pink sapphire! But how to tell if a pink sapphire is real?

Continue reading to find out.

Is Your Gemstone Real?

First Things First, What Is a Pink Sapphire?

This precious gemstone belongs to the corundum mineral family. It’s sought-after for its beautiful hue, which can range from pale pink to vivid magenta. Currently, stones that display a rich pink hue with purple overtones are highly coveted. In addition to being gorgeous, pink sapphire is also an extremely tough gem with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Did You Know?

Pink is one of the rarest sapphire colors out there. So, the next time you’re looking for a pink gemstone as unique and wonderful as you are, you know which stunner to get.

How’s a Fake Stone Different From the Real Gem?

A fake pink sapphire is an imitation piece typically created from colored glass. It could also be made using resin and cubic zirconia. Such stones may look similar to real pink sapphires, but they’re not durable and certainly do not have any value.

How Do You Distinguish Between the Two?

Only a professional jeweler can tell you with 100% certainty whether a gem is real or fake. So, we highly recommend getting your stone checked as soon as you receive it.

That said, you can do the following things at home to check out if your gem is authentic or not:

Tip #1: Look out for Bubbles

During the manufacturing process, gas tends to get trapped within the body of the fake gem. This element typically presents itself in the form of tiny, perfectly round bubbles. As such, if you notice any bubbles when viewing your pink sapphire through a microscope or a 10x jeweler’s loupe, it’s most likely a fake and made of glass.

Tip #2: Search for Inclusions

It’s natural for most pink sapphires to have inclusions, like feathers, needles and other crystal-like flaws (however, no bubbles). To search for them, place your gem under a bright light and look at it through a microscope or a 10x jeweler’s loupe. If you spot any of these flaws, your stone is probably real.

Tip #3: Conduct the Breath Test

This is one of the easiest ways to distinguish between a real and a fake gemstone.

To perform this test, hold the stone close to your mouth and breathe on it. Next, count the seconds until the fog completely evaporates. Typically, pink sapphires take 1 to 2 seconds to clear up. So, if your gemstone takes longer than that, it could be a fake. This is primarily because glass tends to retain moisture for longer periods and therefore takes more time to dry.

Tip #4: Consider Its Reflection

The best way to do this is to switch off all the lights in your room and view your gemstone under a bright torchlight. If it sparkles in shades of pink, it’s probably real. On the other hand, if your stone reflects multiple hues, it’s most likely a glass-made fake.

It’s vital to check the authenticity of a gem before investing in a piece of precious jewelry. These tips will help you differentiate a fake sapphire from a genuine one, thus making your sapphire jewelry purchase worthwhile.

Interested in popping the question with a pink sapphire engagement ring but don’t know where to get one from? Angara has got your back! From minimalistic solitaire designs to gorgeous nature-inspired pieces, we’ve got several options to choose from.

And don’t worry if pink sapphires aren’t your girl’s vibe… We have plenty of other sapphire engagement rings in our collection. Think: Blue sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange sapphires and so on. Want to know the best part? Each of our sparklers comes with a certificate of authenticity, so you never have to worry about buying a fake when shopping from us.