In order to properly describe the color, saturation and darkness must also be defined. To the color scientist, purple is merely a hue position. Gem dealers know what they are seeing, but do not describe it in terms consistent with the use of those same words in other industries. Using the proper definition of the term purple (i.e., a hue or hues lying between red and violet), we actually find that Mogok rubies are more purple than those from the Thai/Cambodian border. It is a common, but erroneous, belief that Thai/Cambodian rubies are more “purple” than those from Mogok. It is used somewhat arbitrarily in reference to pale and light reds.Įxactly where does one draw the line? Neither gemologists or traders can agree, which has led to the ridiculous situation of stones being brought to labs solely to determine if they are rubies or pink sapphires. 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.
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