Pink: Same as rose a general name which may have been derived from that of the pink family of plants. Ruby or pink sapphire? A lesson from the past This clearly illustrates the problems created by overly narrow variety definitions. Stone 2 walks the line, a ruby to some, while a mere pink sapphire to others. Most gem dealers would classify stones 3 and 4 as rubies, while stone 1 would be a pink sapphire. The question is whether or not a variety name (such as ruby or padparadscha) should encompass a broad hue range, or segregate gems of the same basic color into different varieties based on tone and saturation ranges – factors that often have a direct bearing on quality.įour corundums of the same hue (red), but showing a variation in saturation and tone. The crux of what I’m about to discuss is a desire for a simple word to separate something that has stymied the best minds of my generation. If she isn’t buff enough to make the centerfold of Gem & Gemology, the poor lass is sniffed at as literally unworthy of the name.īy now I know what you’re thinking: Do I really want to continue reading? Straight out of the gate this man is three sheets into a gale-force Beat ramble.īut follow me here, people. Gemologists and dealers treat this fair dame like some kinda überrock. When it comes to crimson corundums, despite a decade’s worth of McCarthyism we Yanks still cannot sort out the difference between a pinko and a true red.Īnd padparadscha is even worse. And second, the notion that narrowing the definition of a variety label like ruby or padparadscha will somehow protect the gem-buying public. First, the use of the phrase “improved stability” with any software upgrade. In this humble scribe’s opinion, there exist two ideas that deserve to be eternally banished.

Ruby v sapphire