Pink sapphire is colored due to the presence of chromium. If it has an increasing amount of chromium, that makes it a ruby. Tiny amounts of iron may produce a pink-orange stone called padparadscha. Iron and chromium impurities together may make a purplish stone. A pink sapphire is often cut with a deep profile.
Like ruby, a pink sapphire is believed to ward off ill-health and misfortune. For the wearer to gain the benefit of the stone, however, it is thought necessary for it to be worn directly on the skin. Therefore, stones are cut so that, when set in a piece of jewelry, the back makes contact with the skin.
It is common to find striations on the pink sapphire crystal.
Occurrence
Sri Lankan stones range from pale to pink red. Similarly, pink sapphire is also found in Myanmar (Burma) and East Africa.
Pink Sapphire Properties
- Specific Gravity: 4.00
- Refractive Index: 1.76-1.77
- Birefringence (DR): 0.008
- Luster: Vitreous
- Crystal Structure: Trigonal
- Composition: Aluminum Oxide
- Hardness: 9
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