Ruby vs Pink Sapphire: What’s the Difference (and Does it Really Matter)?

If you’ve ever found yourself puzzling over whether a gemstone is a ruby or a pink sapphire, you’re not alone. Even professional gemologists occasionally scratch their heads over this one!

After all, both stones are varieties of corundum, the same mineral species. So what does set them apart? Where do we draw the line between ruby and pink sapphire, and does it even matter?

Let’s dig into the differences (and the similarities) between these two gorgeous gems.

Same Mineral, Different Name

First things first: ruby and pink sapphire are both corundum. The only difference between a ruby and any kind of sapphire is colour.

Corundum comes in every single colour, and virtually all of them are called sapphires. But when corundum is red, we call it a ruby. Simple, right?

Well… almost.

The Curious Case of Pink

Before we get too deep into gemology, it’s worth pausing to appreciate something fascinating about the word pink, because it plays a surprisingly big role in the ruby vs sapphire debate.

In English, pink is the only paler version of a colour that gets treated as a core/base colour. Pink isn’t usually described as “light red”, it’s just pink.

This quirk of language has shaped how we think about gemstones. Since we treat pink and red as distinct colours in everyday speech, it’s natural to assume pink sapphire and red ruby must be different things, even though, scientifically, they’re both corundum with varying amounts of the same red hue.

So Where’s the Line?

The tricky part is deciding when red becomes pink. In other words, how red does a corundum have to be to be classified as a ruby instead of a pink sapphire?

There’s no universal answer to this. Different gem labs use slightly different criteria to determine what’s considered ruby vs pink sapphire.

In the UK and much of Europe, a vivid hot pink is often still called ruby. In the US, gem labs tend to reserve the term ruby for stones with a stronger red hue, stones that are clearly a shade of red rather than pink.

This can make things confusing when you're buying or selling a stone internationally!

Does It Affect the Value?

Surprisingly, the price per carat for darker pink sapphires and pinkish rubies is often pretty similar. The main price jumps tend to happen when the colour hits that deep, rich pigeon blood red that’s so famously associated with ruby.

So in most cases, the difference between a pink sapphire and a pinkish ruby isn’t going to have a huge effect on the price tag. It’s more about how the stone is marketed and perceived.

What Should Jewellers Call It?

If you’re designing a piece around a pinkish-red corundum, what should you label it?

“Ruby” tends to carry a bit more prestige as a word, it’s got that romantic, historic vibe. “Sapphire” might sound more familiar or even trendy. So it can be worth considering which name would resonate more with your audience.

That said, the best answer is probably: go with the name that reflects the stone’s actual appearance, while also being transparent about the shade. For example:

“Ruby with vivid hot pink-red tone, borderline deep pink sapphire”
or
“Pink sapphire with strong ruby-like red saturation”

This kind of language helps your customer understand where the stone sits on the spectrum and shows you know your stuff. It also helps set expectations and build trust.

So, Ruby or Pink Sapphire?

At the end of the day, ruby and pink sapphire are two names for stones in the same family. The difference between them is real, but it's also a bit subjective.

If you're sourcing stones, it's worth knowing where that naming line tends to fall based on the lab or region. But when it comes to value, a pink sapphire with great colour and clarity can be just as desirable as a ruby.

Whether you're picking one for a jewellery design or helping a customer choose, focusing on the quality and beauty of the stone will take you further than getting hung up on the name.