In the color family, I ask…pastel pink! A color that evokes softness and timeless elegance. But did you know that this delicate shade extends far beyond simple paint palettes and clothing? Let’s plunge together into a sparkling universe where pastel pink takes shape in nature’s most prized treasures: precious stones and gems.
Kunzite
Kunzite is a gem from the spodumene family that can range from pink to violet! Its color remains generally in the pastel range and it proves docile in jewelry, with a hardness of 7 and good resistance to acids and other products. It is, however, sensitive to impacts. It should also be protected from prolonged exposure to strong sunlight.
Morganite
Morganite, a member of the beryl family, is a pink to peachy-pink gem, often in pastel shades. It is appreciated for its softness and delicacy when set in jewelry, and it is not uncommon to see it as the main stone in engagement rings instead of diamonds. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, it stands up well to everyday wear and tear, but remains sensitive to impact.
Rose quartz
Rose quartz, a variety of quartz famous for its pale to vivid pink hue, offers subtle softness and timeless elegance in jewelry. Generally translucent, this quartz often shows inclusions. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, it is fairly resistant to scratches and daily wear, but can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. It is advisable to protect it from prolonged exposure to the sun to avoid any discoloration.
Pearl
Pearls are organic gems formed inside shellfish, often oysters. Its color ranges from pearly white to deep black, with pink, silver and gold hues. Pearls are prized for their timeless elegance and natural softness.
They are often used in jewelry, both for their beauty and for their symbolism. With a relatively low hardness on the Mohs scale, around 2.5 to 4, pearls require special care to avoid scratches and damage. They are also sensitive to chemicals and acidity, so we recommend protecting them from contact with corrosive substances.
Garnet malaia
Malaya garnet, a vibrant variety of garnet, offers a range of colors from pink to orange-red, sometimes even with shades of purple. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it is strong enough to be used in jewelry, but still requires a certain amount of caution against shock and extreme temperatures, although it can withstand acids and other substances.
Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite, a soft pink to coral-red gemstone, is prized for its natural beauty and rarity. With a moderate hardness of around 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, it requires special care to avoid scratches and damage. Although it can be worn with care as jewelry, we recommend avoiding contact with aggressive chemicals. What’s more, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause this delicate gem to discolor, so proper storage is essential to preserve its color and brilliance.
Elbaite
Elbaite, a variety of tourmaline, has a dazzling color palette ranging from pink to green and even blue. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it offers appreciable resistance to scratches and damage. It is also insensitive to water and chemicals, making it a versatile stone. All you need to do is protect it from shocks and extreme temperatures.
Mokaïte jasper
Mokaïte jasper, native to Australia, is a remarkable stone with warm, rich hues ranging from red to yellow, violet and creamy pink. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, it is relatively resistant to scratches and damage, making it a popular choice for jewelry and crafts. However, as with all natural stones, it is advisable to take precautions to avoid shocks and impacts that could damage the surface.
Agate
Pink agate, with its delicate shades of pale to deep pink, is a gemstone prized for its subtle beauty and gentle energy. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, it offers reasonable resistance to scratches and damage, as well as very good shock resistance, making it a popular choice for a variety of jewelry and decorative objects.
Hydrogrossular garnet
Garnet hydrogrossulaire, a variety of garnet, is distinguished by its green to apple-green color, sometimes with shades of pink or red. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it offers good resistance to scratches, shocks and water. To preserve its beauty, it is advisable to avoid extreme temperatures.
Jade jadeite
Jadeite, a precious form of jade, is famous for its intense emerald green color, but it also comes in every possible shade! From orange and lavender to white, blue and pastel pink, this extraordinary gem is sure to please. With a good hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, it is relatively scratch-resistant, and holds the title of the world’s strongest stone (i.e. resistant to breakage), so much so that anvils were made of jade jadeite in ancient China. To preserve its beauty, we recommend avoiding contact with aggressive chemicals and protecting it from extreme temperatures. It’s also interesting to note that jade jadeite has a high price tag, which is even higher when the gems are translucent and flawless.
Sapphire
Sapphire, a member of the original gemstone and corundum family, is known for its deep blue color, although fancy sapphire comes in a wide range of colors, including pink, yellow and violet. With a remarkable hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is one of the most scratch-, shock- and water-resistant gems! Of course, sapphire also comes at a price. However, it is possible to opt for the less expensive synthetic version, which is similar in every respect to natural sapphire.
And that’s it for the first ranking of pastel pink stones! I personally love all the pastel shades on the stones!
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Lauréline Colliard FGA
FGA Gemmologist, graduate of London's prestigious Gem-A Academy (and former lead 3D animator in the video game industry). Her focus is on research, the ethics of gemstones and their environmental and social impact, and the protection and education of gemstone buyers and enthusiasts.
