10 Captivating Pink Gemstones that Continue to Enthrall Post-Valentine's Day
In the world of jewellery, pink gemstones have been gaining popularity for their unique beauty and symbolic significance. Here's a guide to some of the most sought-after pink gemstones, each with its own distinctive properties, origins, and rarity.
### Pink Diamonds
Known for their extreme rarity and high demand, pink diamonds are the most valuable pink gemstones. Famous examples include the Pink Star (59.6cts, $71.2 million), the Pink Legacy (18.96cts, $50.4 million), and the Marie-Thérèse Pink (10.38cts, $13.98 million). These gemstones derive their colour from crystal lattice distortions and are primarily found in Australia, Russia, South Africa, and Brazil.
### Pink Sapphires
Pink sapphires, minerals from the corundum family, are highly sought after, especially for engagement rings. Known for their durability and beauty, they come in shades from soft pastel to vivid fuchsia. As a variety of corundum, pink sapphires are tough, brilliant, and durable, making them excellent for everyday jewelry. Common sources include Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, and Tanzania.
### Spinel
Historically confused with rubies, spinel is prized for its vibrant pink hues and increasing collector interest. The Hope Spinel (50.13cts) fetched over $29,000 per carat, indicating its value. Spinel is a durable gemstone with good brilliance and a hardness of about 8 on the Mohs scale. Spinels are found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
### Morganite
Morganite, a beryl family member, is popular for its gentle peach-pink shades, excellent clarity, and affordability relative to other pink gems. It is favoured for romantic jewelry designs and is often used in rings and necklaces. A beryl variety with a hardness of 7.5 to 8, morganite offers attractive pastel tones. Sources include Brazil, Madagascar, and the United States.
### Pink Tourmaline
Tourmaline is admired for its wide range of pink hues, from pale to intense pink. It is a favoured gemstone for both casual and fine jewelry. Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 and often exhibits pleochroism (different colours at different angles). Major sources are Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and the United States.
### Other Notable Pink Gemstones
- Pink Topaz, often known as Imperial Topaz, is rare and valuable, with a hardness of 8 and mainly sourced from Brazil and Sri Lanka. - Rhodochrosite, known as “blood of kings,” is prized for its rich rose-pink color but is softer (Mohs 3.5-4). - Rose Quartz, a popular, more affordable pink gemstone, is known for emotional healing properties, with a hardness of 7.
Each gemstone’s origin, hardness, and unique properties influence its popularity and value in the market. Pink Opal is often used in white gold or yellow gold settings, and pairs well with minimalist styles. Strawberry Quartz has hematite inclusions that give it a medium pink to peachy pink color with sparkly flecks. Pink sapphires range from pale pink to deep magenta, with excellent clarity. Pink Spinel is often confused with rubies and comes in intensely pink stones. Lab-created pink diamonds offer a more affordable option with similar sparkle. Rose quartz is known as the stone of unconditional love, often displaying a pale pink color and pink overtone. The color of natural pink diamonds results from distortions in the crystal structure, not trace elements. Pink Zircon pairs beautifully with rose gold or platinum. Pink tourmaline is durable enough for jewelry and symbolizes self-love and compassion. Pink Topaz is ideal for traditional round cuts and larger stones.
- Technology can help enhance our understanding of the unique properties and origins of various pink gemstones, such as the distinctive crystal lattice distortions in pink diamonds.
- An eco-friendly lifestyle promotes the use of lab-created pink diamonds, offering a more affordable and sustainable alternative while maintaining the same sparkle.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden decorators can utilize pink gemstones as design elements, incorporating them into jewelry pieces, fashion accessories, or even garden stones, creating a harmonious blend of nature and luxury.
