Pink is a soft, relaxing color that has been used in jewelry for centuries. However, in the last decade, pink surged in popularity, with gemstones such as morganites, tourmalines, and pink sapphires becoming increasingly sought-after. While it is generally considered a feminine color, many men also wear beautiful pink gemstones as jewelry. Pink is not a gemstone color that is bound to fade away too soon. It is right up there with the popular blue, red, and green gemstones.
As there is a baffling range of pink stones, rocks, and minerals out there, we’ve narrowed it down to a handy list of the Top 15 Pink Gemstones used in jewelry. We promise you’ll find at least one that you fall in love with!
Here are our Top 15 pink gemstones.
Pink Diamond
The second rarest variety of colored diamonds, pink diamonds are a prestigious and exclusive stone. Pink diamonds are very rare, with most of the best quality stones coming from the Argyle Mine in Australia. They are extremely expensive, with a carat retailing at roughly around $100,000. One of the mysteries of pink diamonds is the origin of their color. While other colored diamonds get their hues from the presence of trace elements during their formation, pink diamonds are speculated to receive their color due to high-pressure graining that causes a compressed internal structure, known as plastic deformation.
A very durable and wearable stone, pink diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs scale. They often come with secondary tints, such as brown, purple, gray, and orange. However, the best pink diamonds are those that have the most intense and vivid shades of pink. Pink diamonds are beyond the budgets of the average consumer, but a more affordable option would be synthetic pink diamonds.
Pink Sapphire
Pink sapphires are one of the most popular sapphire colors. They are very rare in nature and come in bright shades of pink. Hot pink is the most sought-after shade as they exhibit a very vivid, bright color, but muted shades of pink are also getting increasingly popular.
Pink sapphires are made of corundum and receive their color from traces of chromium. They are very durable and tough, with a Mohs rating of 9. This makes them ideal for daily wear with minimal maintenance required to keep the stone lustrous and long-lasting. Pink sapphires are quite affordable, in comparison to diamonds, and make a very good substitute for pink diamonds. You can also find them in synthetic or enhanced versions, which are even more affordable although less valuable than a natural pink sapphire.
Morganite
Morganites have become one of the most in-demand gemstones when it comes to jewelry. This is especially true for engagement rings, where the feminine soft hues of this gemstone have captured the hearts of many couples.
Morganite comes from the beryl family, which includes prestigious members such as emeralds and aquamarines. Also known as Rose Beryl or Pink Emerald, morganite gets its distinct hues from traces of manganese and cesium. Most morganite is pale pink or salmon pink, with rose-tinted varieties being the most sought-after. Ranking at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, morganite is a fairly durable stone and suits all types of jewelry. With reasonable care and cleaning, this gemstone will remain lustrous and sparkling for a long time.
Pink Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in a variety of colors, of which pink tourmaline is one of the most popular. Pink tourmalines are easy to find, come in a range of shades, and are commonly used in jewelry. They are quite affordable, with the price mainly depending on the intensity of the color.
Most pink tourmalines are cut into faceted shapes, to enhance the stone’s brilliance. This gives the stone depth and light reflection. Pink tourmalines are fairly durable stones, with a Mohs rating of 7 to 7.5. They can be made into all sorts of jewelry but will require some care as they can be scratched easily. Although impurities are common in tourmalines, inclusions in pink tourmalines are often tolerated, especially if the hue of the stone is vivid and saturated. Heat treatment is commonly carried out on tourmalines to enhance their color, however, your vendor should let you know if such treatments have been done on your stone.
Pink Topaz
Pink topaz is one of the rarer and most valuable topaz colors and is not commonly found in nature. As a result, most pink topaz on the market has been treated. This is done by heat-treating low-quality brown or pale topazes to turn them into the more desirable topaz colors, such as pink. The majority of pink topaz comes from Brazil, although they are also found in Sri Lanka, Mexico, Burma, the USA, and Nigeria.
Pink topaz is a hard and durable gemstone, with a Mohs rank of 8, and is good for daily wear. The stone has a high brilliance and beautiful, vitreous luster.
Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is a beautiful gemstone made of manganese carbonate minerals. It comes in a range of striking pink hues, from faint pink to red. Rhodochrosite often contains banded streaks, similar to agate, which makes for interesting patterns on the stone.
Cutting rhodochrosite requires expertise and skill, as the stone contains distinct cleavage, which can make it prone to breakage. Generally, the stone is cut into smooth cabochons as faceted rhodochrosite is too delicate for use in jewelry. As the stone is very soft (3.5 to 4 Mohs) it is easily scratched and damaged. As a result, although it is very attractive, rhodochrosite is not recommended in use for jewelry that may be subject to rough wear and tear, especially rings and bracelets.
Pink Spinel
Pink spinel is a little-known gemstone that is extremely rare. For a long time, pink spinel was mistaken for pink sapphires and rubies and was only recently identified as a stone in its own right. Of all the spinel colors, pink remains one of the most valued and popular. Most pink spinel is free of inclusions, although some may contain needle-like rutile inclusions that can give the stone the highly-sought after gemstone phenomenon known as asterism.
One of the pink spinel’s selling points is its high refractive index and dispersion, which makes the stone brilliant and fiery. When faceted, this is maximized. Pink spinel is a durable stone (Mohs 8) but heat can cause the color of the stone to fade, so keep spinel jewelry away from heat sources. Pink spinel is quite affordable and does not come with any treatments. There are synthetic versions of pink spinel on the market but these are rare.
Kunzite
Despite its beauty and wearability, kunzite is a little-known gemstone in the jewelry world. Although it was initially discovered in the USA, today most kunzite comes from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Most kunzite is faint pink, although some stones can have an intense and vivid color. Most kunzite is transparent but may contain various types of inclusions. While some kunzite stones are polished and smooth when used in jewelry, faceting is quite common to bring out the stone’s brilliance. Kunzite also exhibits pleochroism, which refers to the stone’s ability to display two distinct color shades when viewed from different angles. Generally, this is pink, purple, and colorless.
Most kunzite on the market is free of treatments or enhancements. The stone ranks at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and is hard enough for most jewelry types. However, as it has very distinct cleavage, it is prone to breakage and needs to be protected from impact and blows. Kunzite remains a very affordable stone and because it is found in large sizes, it is perfect for large statement jewelry.
Pink Rhodolite Garnet
Often confused with rhodochrosite and rhodonite, rhodolite is a rare variety of the garnet family. Rhodolite is found in unique shades of pink, often with little to no visible impurities. The stone has high brilliance due to its high refractive index. When properly faceted, this brilliance is maximized. Rhodolite is always untreated, meaning that it contains its natural color.
The stone’s relative hardness (6.5 to 7.5 Mohs) makes it suitable for use in various types of jewelry. They are quite tough stones and require minimal care and cleaning. This beautiful gemstone pairs well with any metal color and makes for stunning jewelry.
Pink Zircon
Zircon, not to be confused with the cheap diamond simulant cubic zirconia, is a natural gemstone that is often used as a diamond substitute. While blue is the most popular zircon color, pink is among the most beautiful. Most pink zircons come from Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, and the USA. Zircon is the only other natural gemstone with a brilliance comparable to diamonds. This can be seen in pink varieties as well. Naturally, pink zircon is almost always faceted or cut into a brilliant shape to bring out the brilliance of the stone. Most pink zircon is eye-clean with no visible inclusions. Pink zircon has a vitreous luster and very high transparency.
Pink zircon ranks at 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and is only fairly durable. It is also very brittle and not resistant to chipping and breaking. Generally, pink zircon is an affordable gemstone. It is a beautiful addition to any jewelry collection and makes for eye-catching pieces of jewelry.
Pink Chalcedony
Pink chalcedony is an abundant gemstone and is found in many regions around the world. It comes in beautiful shades of pink, from faint, nearly colorless hues to slightly darker, pastel pinks. Pink chalcedony is soft and smooth to the touch, contains few visible inclusions, and has a vitreous to waxy luster.
Pink chalcedony consists of a microcrystalline structure and does not have crystal formations within it. Most stones are opaque to translucent. It is often cut into cabochons and polished smooth to heighten its attractive luster, but is also ideal for carvings. Pink chalcedony contains no cleavage and has a Mohs ranking of 6.5 to 7. It is very durable and tough and is a common gemstone used in jewelry.
Rhodonite
This little-known gemstone has a unique and distinct color making it easily recognizable. In fact, it is named for its hue, as rhodon is the Greek word for ‘rose-colored’. Rhodonite is commonly found in shades of light rosy pink to dark red and comes from various regions around the world. However, it is not a common mineral and is not a mainstream gemstone for use in jewelry.
Rhodonite can contain beautiful black dendritic inclusions which form intriguing patterns on the stone, somewhat similar to turquoise. Most rhodonite is opaque, while transparent rhodonite is very rare, highly sought after, and very valuable. The stone only ranks 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and has distinct cleavage. As a result, it is not very durable. However, it is a beautiful gemstone to add to any collection and is a popular gemstone collector’s choice.
Rose Quartz
A popular stone used in crystal healing and Feng Shui, rose quartz comes in beautiful, muted shades of pink, ranging from very faint pink to medium-dark rose. Rose quartz is found abundantly around the world and is a very affordable gemstone. Most quartz comes in transparent to translucent varieties, with a vitreous luster and a Mohs hardness of 7. It makes an excellent gemstone as it is very durable and when polished, is brilliant and lustrous.
Most rose quartz is cut en cabochon and polished smooth. These are mainly used to make bead bracelets and necklaces. However, the stone can also be used to create interesting and unique pieces of jewelry. As it is found in large sizes and is very affordable, rose quartz is ideal for large jewelry items, such as statement necklaces and earrings, and cocktail rings.
Thulite
Thulite is the pink variety of the mineral family zoisite. It was initially found in Norway and was named after a mythical city of the region, Thule. While most thulite comes from Norway, deposits have also been found in the USA.
Thulite is similar in appearance to rhodonite, without the dendritic veins that rhodonite often contains. It has a unique pink hue that is eye-catching and beautiful in the use of jewelry. Most thulite is opaque, although translucent varieties are also sometimes found. It has a hardness rating of 6 to 6.5 and slight cleavage and is not generally not considered suitable for rings or bracelets. Most thulite is cut into polished beads or cabochons. It can also be used to create carved images and ornamental items. It is not considered valuable, and is seen as a minor gemstone.
Lepidolite
Lepidolite comes in gorgeous shades of pink and lilac and makes for unique, eye-catching jewelry. Most lepidolite comes from Brazil, Afghanistan, and Madagascar. It is a type of lithium and aluminum-rich mica, and so is technically not considered a stone. Lepidolite has a vitreous to pearly luster and is commonly translucent to opaque in appearance. Sometimes, lepidolite stones can flake off, due to the lithium content.
Lepidolite is a tough stone but it is not very hard, only ranking at 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale. As such, lepidolite is not very durable and can easily get scratched, chipped, or broken with exposure. Lepidolite jewelry requires proper care and protection to keep the gemstone lasting through the years.
Found a Pink Gemstone You Love?
Before adding a pink gemstone to your jewelry collection, consider your reason for buying. This will help you to choose a stone that will suit your requirements. For example, if you wish to buy a pink gemstone ring, consider durability. This is a priority especially for an engagement ring, as you will be wearing it every day.
Also, consider the cost of the gemstone. Some gemstones are very rare and come without any treatments or enhancements, and yet are very affordable. For more expensive gemstones such as diamonds and sapphires, you may wish to consider a synthetic alternative. Remember that synthetic gemstones are not fakes. They are merely grown in labs as opposed to forming in nature, and in every way are identical to their natural counterparts.
Some gemstones are more valued and accepted by consumers than others. This is especially true of diamonds, sapphires, morganites, topazes, and tourmalines. However, other lesser-known gemstones can make for stunning, unique types of jewelry that will surely draw eyes to you and bring you lots of compliments!
