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Even though it
is pink, this gemstone is a member of the corundum family of
sapphires. In fact, there are a multitude of colors available besides
blue and they are referred to as "fancies".
Chemical composition
The chemical
composition of this lovely hued gemstone is aluminum oxide with a
little chrome for the shades of pink. These gemstones were formed
thousands of years ago as they were exposed to the earth's heat and
pressure. It is possible that some pink sapphire earrings and other
pieces have been heat-treated to create a deeper shade of pink.
Origins
Today, the
stones from a pink sapphire necklace probably came from either
Madagascar or Brazil. These locations yielded up huge deposits when
discovered in the 90s. Prior to that, the pink gemstone was quite
rare as limited numbers came out of parts of Asia like Sri Lanka,
Vietnam and Burma.
Special occasions
Like many
gemstones, the sapphire is assigned as a birthstone. September babies
can call this precious
gem all their own. To be different, surprise a birthday girl
with pink sapphire earrings instead of the expected blue. She will
blush with pleasure at the unique gift.
This lovely pink
gemstone can also be used to celebrate a 45th wedding
anniversary. A pink sapphire necklace is a great way to let her know
she's still as lovely as that blushing young bride from 45 years ago.
Speaking of love and romance, it is makes a great
gift for Valentine's Day. Yes, the ruby owns that holiday, but a
pink heart-shaped pendant says the same thing.
A bit of trivia
Ancient
cultures often attached special powers to gemstones that they came
into contact with. They were influenced by the fiery colors, crystal
transparency or the way they resembled the moon, the sun and the
ocean. Sapphire has its own lore and legend attached to it.
To show how
storied its history is, this gemstone was referenced in the Bible as
well as in Greek mythology. According to the myth, Prometheus was the
first being to wear the gem as jewelry after he stole it from the
gods. But, maybe the most important characteristic is that, according
to Indian culture, wearing it wards off evil spirits. Whether it
works or not, could it really hurt to wear a pink
sapphire necklace as a protective talisman.
Care and
cleaning tips
Corundum is
one of the hardest minerals on the planet. It is second only to the
diamond which has a rank of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Corundum has a rank of 9. This means that cleaning pink
sapphire jewelry is easy. At home, pieces can be soaked in warm
soapy water and scrubbed with a toothbrush. Ultrasonic cleaners and
steamers are also safe to use. Because of their hardness, it is safe
to wear this gemstone everyday.
Pink is a lot
of things, but mostly it is feminine and sweet. Any girl would blush
with delight to open a box containing a pink
sapphire necklace. |
