Antique Pink Sapphire Engagement Rings: A Buyer’s Guide

Pink sapphire has all the strength of a blue sapphire with a softer, more romantic colour. It was a favourite of the Edwardians, who set it with diamonds in platinum, and it makes one of the loveliest and most practical coloured engagement rings there is.

Where pink sapphires come from

Sapphire is corundum, the same mineral as ruby. Traces of chromium turn it pink; more chromium and deeper colour make it a ruby, and the line between the two is a matter of debate among gemmologists. Fine pink sapphires come from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Madagascar. The rarest of all, the padparadscha, is a delicate pink-orange sapphire from Sri Lanka, named after the Sinhalese word for the lotus flower.

Edwardian 18ct Gold & Platinum, Pear Shaped Pink Sapphire & Diamond Crossover Ring

The pros and cons

In its favour: at 9 on the Mohs scale, pink sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness, so it is ideal for everyday wear. Its colour is flattering, feminine and unusual.

To bear in mind: colour varies enormously, from pale pastel to hot pink, and many modern stones are heat-treated; untreated stones of good colour are rarer and more expensive.

Pink sapphires in antique jewellery

The Edwardians loved soft, pastel colours set with diamonds in platinum, and pink sapphire suited that taste perfectly: pear-shaped and oval stones in fine diamond clusters, three-stone rings and crossovers, like this Edwardian pink sapphire and diamond crossover ring.

Edwardian pink sapphires have the sweetest colour, never sugary. With diamonds around them in platinum, they’re about as pretty as a ring can be.
Olly Gerrish, AJC Founder

Choosing a pink sapphire ring

Colour. Choose a colour you love: a soft Edwardian pink and a vivid modern pink are very different. The colour should be even across the stone.

Brightness. A good pink sapphire is lively, not dark or glassy.

Testing. As with any sapphire in an antique mount, it’s worth confirming the stone is natural, since synthetic corundum has been made since the early 1900s. Our guide to antique sapphire engagement rings explains more.

Caring for a pink sapphire ring

Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and have the claws checked every year or two. Pink sapphire is tough, but the fine settings around it deserve a little care.

Our view

An Edwardian pink sapphire and diamond cluster in platinum is one of our favourite coloured engagement rings: romantic, unusual and tough enough to wear for a lifetime. See our sapphire and diamond rings.