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Pink sapphires and rubies might seem like two completely different gemstones. One is associated with soft blush tones and romantic pink hues, while the other is famous for its rich, vibrant red. But there's a surprising connection between them: ruby and sapphire are actually varieties of the same mineral.
Both are made from corundum, one of the hardest minerals used in jewellery. So, if they're part of the same gemstone family, what makes a ruby a ruby and a pink sapphire a pink sapphire? And, perhaps most intriguingly, when does a pink sapphire become a ruby?
Sapphires aren't just blue. They occur in a range of colours, including pink, yellow, green, orange and purple.
A pink sapphire is a pink variety of corundum, ranging from delicate blush tones to vivid, saturated pinks. This versatility makes pink sapphire jewellery a popular choice for those looking for something colourful and distinctive.
Like all sapphires, pink sapphire has a 9/10 rating on the Mohs scale, making it a durable gemstone for everyday jewellery.
Did you know? Sapphire is the traditional September birthstone, so pink sapphire offers a colourful alternative to the classic blue sapphire.
A ruby is the red variety of corundum, with colours ranging from pinkish-red to rich, vivid red.
Ruby's colour is largely influenced by chromium, which can also contribute to the pink hues found in sapphires. This is one reason pink sapphires and rubies can look so closely related.
Did you know? Ruby is the traditional July birthstone and, like sapphire, has a 9/10 rating on the Mohs scale.
Pink sapphires and rubies are both varieties of the same mineral: corundum. The difference is colour. Red corundum is classified as ruby, while corundum that falls into the pink range is generally classified as pink sapphire.
There isn't one exact point where a pink sapphire becomes a ruby. The boundary between pink and red is a spectrum, so some stones can sit very close to the line.
Gemmologists consider factors including hue, tone and saturation, as well as whether pink or red is the dominant colour. This means two stones that look very similar can potentially be classified differently.
Lady Gaga's former engagement ring featured a 7-carat oval pink sapphire surrounded by a floral halo of diamonds.
At the 2023 BAFTAs, Michelle Yeoh wore a 20.58-carat pink sapphire ring, set with pear-shaped diamonds. Her jewellery also included Burmese ruby and diamond earrings, making her look a perfect example of the close relationship between pink sapphire and ruby.
At the 2026 Serpentine Summer Party in London, Isha Ambani wore a ring centred on a 3.89-carat unheated Vietnamese pink sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and rubies. The combination shows just how beautifully pink sapphire and ruby can work together in high jewellery.
Eva Longoria's engagement ring features a 6-8 carat pinkish-red ruby surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Its softer pink-red colour is a great example of how closely some rubies can resemble pink sapphires.
Ruby and sapphire are both varieties of corundum, with colour determining how they're classified. From soft pink sapphires to deeper pinkish-red rubies, the boundary can be closer than you might expect.
Explore our coloured sapphire rings, design a bespoke piece featuring the September birthstone, or discover the deeper pink tones of a ruby engagement ring.
Ready to create something personal? Book a consultation with Holts Gems and speak to our Hatton Garden gemmologists and designers.
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