Sunday, May 17, 2009

Pink Sapphire - The Blushing Gemstone

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.

A pink sapphire necklace looks elegant, feminine and sophisticated. It can make a great gift for a September girl who is special to you. Find the perfect jewelry for yourself and your loved ones at http://www.gemaffair.com

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