One is known as the king of gemstones, while the other is considered to be the ultimate symbol of royalty. Both ruby and pink sapphire stand tall, and beautiful. If you get a chance to pick just one of these stunning jewels, we’re sure you’d be left confused.
This quick comparative analysis aims to ease the confusion by helping you understand the difference between both the gems.
Pink Sapphire vs Ruby: What’s the Difference?
Adding new pieces to your fine jewellery collection can be both exciting and daunting. Not only does the item need to complement your style, but the gem itself should be an absolute stunner that works well with your wardrobe.
Difference Between Pink Sapphire vs Ruby
This brings us to ruby and pink sapphire; two popular stones that people absolutely love. But which one is better? And what makes them different from each other?
Let’s find out…
1. Color
- Ruby: Pigeon blood red and bluish-red are by far the most desired ruby colours. This precious stone owes its spectacular hue to the relatively large percentages of chromium in its chemical composition.
- Pink Sapphire: As indicated by the name, this variant of sapphire can be found in different shades of pink. That said, blossomy-pink and hot pink are the most sought-after hues of this gem. Similar to ruby, the trace amount of chromium present in this gem’s chemical composition gives it its distinct hue.
2. Symbolism
- Ruby: Throughout history, rubies have always been considered a symbol of love, passion and power.
- Pink Sapphire: They are usually associated with trust, truth, purity and honesty.
3. Mining Location
- Ruby: Myanmar is believed to be the source of the world’s most valuable rubies. But this gemstone is also mined in Mozambique, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, India, Cambodia, Kenya and Madagascar, among others.
- Pink Sapphire: Pink sapphires are only mined in a handful of locations, such as East Africa, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
4. Rarity
- Ruby: This gem can only be formed when corundum comes into contact with trace amounts of the element chromium, and this does not happen very often. Therefore high-quality rubies (eye-clean stones with a vivid red colour) are extremely rare.
- Pink Sapphire: They are widely available. However, entirely natural and untreated pink sapphires are quite rare.
5. Popularity
- Ruby: It is known as the ‘King of Gemstones’, thanks to its bold red hue and association with royalty and power. It is also the official birthstone of July, which has further sky-rocketed its popularity.
- Pink Sapphire: Blue and Padparadscha sapphires are extremely popular. The pink sapphire comes a close third.
Also Read: Sapphire Vs Ruby: Which Gem Will You Choose?
Similarities Between The Two Stones
Since both the ruby and pink sapphire belong to the same corundum mineral family, they have several similarities. Some of these are highlighted below…
- They are extremely tough and have a rating of 9/10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
- Both these gems are formed under extreme pressure within the earth’s crust and therefore it is natural for them to have several inclusions.
- Majority of rubies and sapphires are subjected to heat treatment and/or other procedures to improve their colour and reduce the appearance of flaws. If your seller is claiming a ruby ring or other piece of jewellery embedded with rubies as not treated, make a purchase only when it is backed by a gemstone certification.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice is entirely up to you.
If you’re looking for a bold and dramatic piece that will effortlessly capture attention, then we highly recommend opting for ruby jewellery. On the other hand, if you’re in the market for a precious stone that exudes romance and feminine charm, then the pink sapphire may just be perfect for you!
As seen throughout this article, both these gemstones have their own set of USPs. Hence, regardless of your decision, you’re sure to wind up with an absolute stunner.
Good to Know:
Pink sapphire and ruby belong to the same family of mineral called corundum. This is the reason why majority of their features are identical. But ruby gets its colour due to the presence of chromium, whereas the addition of iron and titanium impurities is responsible for the colours of a sapphire. So when it comes to choosing, visual appeal plays an important role as that is primarily what sets these gems apart from one another.
In the case of a pink sapphire, you can choose from hues that range from pale, baby pink to a bright hot pink. Even though sapphires falling in the latter category are more expensive, the baby pink colour is also loved by many. Sapphires, on a whole, are believed to represent loyalty, truth, and trust. This has made pink sapphire a popular option for engagement and wedding rings.
Pink sapphire earrings, bracelets and pendant necklaces inject a peppiness into even the mundane attires and are therefore increasingly being preferred by fashionistas around the world.
Ruby has been declared as the ‘king of gemstones’ numerous times in ancient Sanskrit scriptures. Rubies are also synonymous with love and passion, which is why ruby engagement rings and ruby women’s wedding bands.
The ruby’s bold colour is the most important factor responsible for its constant demand even today. While red is the primary hue of a ruby, its secondary hues can be purple, pink or orange. But the value of this gem increases when its colour has more of red. In some cases, a secondary colour such as light purple enhances the appeal of a ruby by making the red appear more intense.
Rubies look exceptionally stunning, especially when combined with diamonds and worn in the form of earrings, rings and bracelets. We’d recommend you choose a pair of drop or dangle ruby earrings and tennis ruby bracelets, and a three-stone or a halo ruby ring if you prefer glamorous ruby creations.
Verdict:
Both the gems are exceptionally durable and resilient to damages that can occur from daily wear. This makes them an ideal gift for special occasions. But if you take affordability into consideration, pink sapphire will not drain your pocket the way a high-quality ruby can.
Irrespective of which gem you opt for remember to always consider picking the top quality stone, even if the carat size is small. Also, look out for the certificate of authenticity. Majority of consumers find it difficult to differentiate between these two gems, hence the authenticity certificate will save you from being sold a synthetic or a cheap quality stone.
For more in-depth information about pink sapphires and rubies, take a look at these handy guides.
Also Read: Ruby Vs Garnet: What’s The Difference?
