Both rubies and sapphires belong to the corundum family and share the same chemical composition and structure. These two stones are set apart only by color.

There are many different shades of pink sapphires, ranging from magenta to light pink and it is the concentration of chromium present in the stone that determines the intensity of the shade. With increased levels of chronium the stone turns red and becomes classified as a ruby.

Strictly speaking only corundums that present as distinctly red qualify as rubies, although there are those who also think of an orangey-red or purplish-red corundum as a ruby. None the less, any corundum in a color other than red, is a sapphire.

Considering that most humans have a different perception of color, it can sometimes prove challenging to make a precise distinction between a pink sapphire and a ruby. As such the call is typically up to a trained gemologist who inspects the stone and gives it a color grade.

The color saturation of a blood red ruby is extremely rare which causes it to reach a much higher price point than a pink sapphire. Whilst a pink sapphire may not be as rare or as expensive as a ruby, being so closely related it is one of the rarest, and most expensive in the sapphire family.

At Breckenridge Jewelers in Breckenridge, Colorado you can rely on our team to expertly guide you through the process of choosing between a pink sapphire and a ruby. Our team can also advise on oil and heat treatments that are available to enhance the clarity and color of these stones.

At Breckenridge Jewelers we dare to impress. We invite you to visit our store in Breckenridge, Colorado and be amazed at our wide range of jewelry, including many shades of pink sapphires and rubies.