When it comes to the color pink, most people think of bubblegum, baby girls, and Barbie dolls. But as any gemologist will tell you, pink is one of the gemstones’ most prized colors.
Here are 12 of the most valuable precious and semiprecious gems in shades of pink. From delicate rose quartz to vibrant rhodonite, these pink gemstones are sure to make a statement.
Curious about the popular pink gemstones’ names and colors? Let’s find out.
What is a Pink Gemstone: Meaning, History, Popular Names
What do the gemstones tourmaline, kunzite, and rhodochrosite have in common? They’re all pink!
Ruby, pink sapphire, rose quartz, morganite, rubellite, and rhodonite are a few of the pink gemstones that are most in demand. These gems come in a variety of shades, from light pink to deep fuchsia.
Pink is a “Jubilean” color in the world of gemology. This means that it is one of the most popular and classic gemstone colors of all time.
In popular belief, pink stones have been there since the beginning of time. They are some of the oldest and most rare gems in the world. Despite being discovered in some of the oldest tombs and ruins, nobody knows where they originated.
List of Pink Precious and Semi-Precious Stones
So, what gemstones are pink? Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular pink gemstones.
1. Pink Diamond
Who can resist a pink diamond? This precious pink stone is simply stunning, making it a popular choice among elites for pink engagement rings.
Pink diamonds are pretty rare. In fact, they’re so rare that only a handful of mines in the world produce them. The vast majority of pink diamonds come from Australia, with a small percentage coming from Africa and Russia.
Pink diamonds get their hue from minute residues of elements subjected to very high temperatures and pressures deep under the Earth’s crust during their creation. Over time, these diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions.
Though pink diamonds occur naturally, they are also synthesizable in a lab. The procedure used to manufacture these lab-grown diamonds is identical to the one used in producing natural pink diamonds. Still, the result is a significantly cheaper stone than its natural counterpart.
2. Rubellite Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a gemstone that comes in many colors, but pink is one of the most popular. There are several shades of rubellite tourmaline, including pink, red, and violet. The name “rubellite” comes from the Latin word “rubellus,” which means “reddish.”
Rubellite is a variety of elbaite, which is a type of tourmaline. It is the most popular pink gemstone used in jewelry, including pink tourmaline rings. Rubellite is pink because of manganese in its chemical structure. The pink color can range from pale pink to deep reddish pink, and the gemstone is often heat treated to improve its color.
Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka are just some places where you may find rubellite. It is a relatively hard pink gemstone, with a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5.
3. Pink Sapphire
Pink sapphires are a pink variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide. The presence of chromium gives pink sapphires their pink color. Sapphires come in a broad spectrum of hues, from blue to yellow, orange to green to pink. Of all these colors, pink sapphires are the most valuable and rare.
Pink sapphire’s value depends on its carat weight, color saturation, and clarity. Larger stones with a deep pink hue and no visible inclusions are the most valuable and rare. Countries including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Kenya, and Tanzania are common places to get pink sapphires.
If you’re looking for pink engagement rings or just beautiful pink gemstone rings, then pink sapphire rings might be perfect for you!
4. Star Ruby
The ruby gemstone variety known as “Star Ruby” gets its name from the recurring occurrence of a star-like pattern on its surface. Star rubies are scarce and only found in a few places worldwide. The most famous place to find them is Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Other places where they are found include Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and India. Star Rubies are usually cut into cabochons (a convex, rounded precious stone) or spheres. They are then set into jewelry or used as ornamental stones.
Star Rubies are among the world’s rarest and most precious gems, making them a popular choice for lavish jewelry designs. Many of the most expensive timepieces in the world also employ them.
5. Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is a pink variety of quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Though quartz is typically colorless, rose quartz gets its pink hue from trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese.
There are large deposits of rose quartz in Brazil and India, and its usage in art forms as varied as jewelry and sculpture dates back millennia. Today, rose quartz is enjoying a renaissance as a trendy semiprecious stone.
Crystal healers rely on it often because of the widespread belief in its curative powers. South Dakota has designated rose quartz as its official state mineral.
Read More: Blue Sapphire Gemstone Price
6. Morganite
Morganite is an eye-catching pink gemstone that has been increasing in popularity in recent years. Often compared to other pink gemstones such as tourmaline and kunzite, morganite is quickly becoming a favorite among jewelry lovers.
It is a member of the beryl family, which also includes stones such as emerald and aquamarine. Morganite’s soft pink hue comes from minute traces of manganese.
Morganite usually comes in sizes up to 10 carats, and stones bigger than 20 carats are extremely rare. While it is found all over the world, some of the finest specimens come from Brazil.
7. Pink Zircon
Pink zircon is a pink gemstone often confused with other pink gemstones like tourmaline and Kunzite. It is a beautiful stone ranging from pale pink to deep pink. Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka are just a few of the nations that mine pink zircon.
This stone is made of zirconium silicate and has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0. Pink zircon is a popular gemstone for jewelry because it is durable and has a high refractive index. This stone is also believed to have healing properties and is known as the “Stone of Virtue.”
8. Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is a red-to-pink mineral that gets its name from the Greek words for “rose-colored.” It’s said to be a stone of self-love and emotional healing.
Rhodochrosite is relatively soft, so it is not suitable for wear in everyday settings. Its natural habitats span from the arid regions of Peru and Bolivia to the lush forests of Brazil. The stone gets its pink color from the presence of manganese.
There is a common belief that rhodochrosite has metaphysical capabilities that may aid in the emotional healing process. The stone is also among the list of pink gemstones with a reputation for fostering feelings of competence and worthiness.
9. Pink Rhodonite Garnet
Metamorphic rocks are the source of the pink gemstone known as Rhodonite Garnet. It is a pink pyrope variety with a Mohs hardness of 7.5. The Greek word “rhodon,” which means “rose,” is whence “Rhodonite” gets its name.
This gemstone is often used in jewelry and is considered to be a semi-precious stone. Rhodonite Garnet is believed to have healing properties and is said to bring peace and calmness to those who wear it.
Read More: Blue Gemstones: List of Precious and Semi-Precious Stones That Are Blue
10. Pink Topaz
Pink topaz is a type of silicate mineral that gets its pink hue from trace amounts of iron or manganese. The exact color of a pink topaz stone depends on the amount of these impurities present.
You might ask your jeweler about treated pink topaz if you want an incredibly vivid pink stone.
Several countries, including Brazil, Pakistan, and Russia, are responsible for the mining of pink topaz. Brazil is the largest producer of pink topaz, accounting for about 50% of the world’s supply.
11. Kunzite
Pink gemstones are all the rage these days, and kunzite is one of the most popular choices. Kunzite, the pink variant of spodumene, is a silicate mineral named after George Frederick Kunz, the chief gemologist at Tiffany & Co.
It gets its pink color from trace amounts of manganese and chromium. Kunzite is relatively soft, so it’s often cut into cabochons or used in beadwork. It’s also popular in gemstone carving.
Kunzite is a stone of the heart, promoting love and compassion.
12. Pink Spinel
Pink spinel is not as common as other pink gemstones, making it a unique choice. It is pink because of the presence of chromium.
Pink spinel is a durable stone, perfect for everyday wear. It has a wide range of hues, from pale pink to deep raspberry. It is an affordable alternative to more expensive pink gemstones like sapphire and ruby.
Read More: List of Green Precious and Semi-Precious Stones
FAQs
The answer to this question is difficult to determine as rarity depends on the person’s definition. In general, though, pink gemstones are not as common as other colors.
The gemstones that are pale pink are typically rose quartz and kunzite.
Some naturally pink gemstones include ruby, sapphire, and morganite.
Which Pink Gem Do You Prefer?
So, what’s your favorite pink gemstone?
Whether you’re drawn to the delicate hue of rose quartz or the rich saturation of a morganite, we hope you enjoyed this overview of some of the most popular pink gemstones.
If you can’t decide on just one, don’t worry – many people mix and match different colors and stones to create their own unique look.
We would love to hear about your favorites in the comments section below.
