Padparadscha Sapphire - The King of all Sapphires

Brief History of Padparadscha Sapphires

Padparadscha Sapphires derive their name from the Sanskrit word which translates to "lotus flower pollens". The unique colour of this precious stone is known to resemble the lotus flower. The padparadscha is a precious stone that is able to captivate the viewers owing to the combinations of its unique pink and orange colours. It is a precious stone, like the blue sapphire, that has come to be associated with the Island nation from which it is taken.

Unlike other sapphires, the padparadscha is known for its rareness. As it is found only in a handful of countries in the world. Whilst countries like Tanzania, and more recently Madagascar have emerged as new sources of this precious stone. Sri Lanka has been considered the main source of this precious stone and the kind of padparadscha from this country have more balanced pink and orange tones, unlike the precious stones from Madagascar.

The value of the padparadscha Sapphire is well recognized across the world. Owing to the rarity of natural padparadscha sapphires, and the growing appeal for its unique colour gamut. This precious stone achieved acclaim when a 20.84-carat padparadscha sapphire was sold at the grand prize of $18,000 in 2005, at the Christie auction. And its importance is only increasing. In 2018, Princess Eugenie married her partner Jack Brooksbank, who had proposed to the princess with a ring featuring an oval, padparadscha sapphire stone, surrounded by diamonds. In case there is any confusion about the value of this precious stone, padparadscha sapphires are now the choice of Royalty.

The Character of the Gemstone

Padparadscha sapphires result from a rare variety of the mineral corundum. The true chemical composition of this stone is a subject of debate among geologists, however, experts agree on the key point that these precious stones come from a certain type of corundum, consisting of an aluminium oxide that forms in crystals. Their unique colour is due to the presence of additional trace elements known as chromium and iron. And like other sapphire varieties, padparadscha sapphires are known for their durability, coming in at number at 09 on the Moh scale for hardness. Only behind diamonds. Hence padparadscha sapphire engagement rings are highly sought after in the world today. 

A way to understand the qualities of the stone is to apply the 4Cs. In terms of clarity, padparadscha sapphires tend to be clearer than rubies and blue sapphires, and hence allow more light to pass through them. However, given the lighter shades of this precious stone, inclusions are more noticeable. Hence the buyer must be careful of the cutting process. When it comes to the shape of the cut, padparadschas come in a variety of shapes and cutting styles. With ovals, cushion and rounds shape being the most popular, and round-shaped padparadscha sapphires tending to command a premium price, especially when it comes to padparadscha engagement rings. 

When seeking a well-cut padparadschas sapphire, it is best to seek varieties that have a high percentage of asymmetrical cuts, which are done to help the stone reflect light better and improve its colour. Owing to their rarity, it is difficult to find padparadscha sapphires that go beyond 2 carats. So unlike with other sapphire types, those who are seeking this precious stone will have to settle for a relatively smaller, but depending on the cut and the clarity of the padparadscha sapphire, a very precious stone.

You can learn further about the padparadscha sapphire in our education section.

Finding Authentic Padparadscha Sapphires

According to the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC), an association that contains representatives from top gemological laboratories in Asia, Europa and the USA.  Who following a meeting in Milan, Italy in 2013, made key observations when it comes to identifying an authentic padparadscha sapphire, from stones that do not meet the required criterion. These include:
    • The stone’s colour gamut is anything other than pink or orange.
    • The presence of yellow or orange material in the fissures of the stone, that could affect the pink-orange colour of the stone.
    •  If the stone has been subjected to radiation treatment.
    • If the stone has been dyed, coated, painted, varnished or other artificial colour changes had been introduced.  

Buyers will have to keep in mind that padparadscha sapphires are often heat treated. Whilst the heating of sapphires under lower temperatures is generally accepted, the treatment of the precious stone with the use of other elements like beryllium, to change the colour or tone, is not accepted. And gemologists categorize this process as “lattice treatment”, and pink sapphires that result from it are not considered authentic padparadscha sapphires.

The Distinct Colors of Padparadscha Sapphires

Padparadscha sapphires come in a range of colours, from a darker pink stone to those with a deeper orange tint. There is an ongoing debate as to what is the best shade or tone of the padparadscha sapphire. According to the LHMC  (Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee), the sapphire stone “whose colour is a subtle mixture of pinkish-orange to orangey pink with pastel tones and low to medium saturation when viewed in standard daylight” is considered as authentic padparadscha sapphires.

_{Rough Padparadscha Sapphire Gemstone from Ceylon - Nice Medium Colour}

It must be noted that padparadscha sapphires are often heat treated. However, as noted earlier, light heat treatments, are generally accepted to improve the colour of the stone. Whilst natural or untreated padparadscha sapphires, that are able to match the quality of the heated ones, are harder to find, and will naturally command a higher price, particularly when mounted on a padparadscha sapphire engagement ring. 

_{Rough Padparadscha Sapphire Gemstone from Ceylon}

Picking a Ring for Padparadscha Sapphires

When it comes to the metal of choice, owing to their pinkish-orange colour, padparadscha sapphires are well suited with yellow gold rings. As their particular colour types work to accentuate the warm glow of the precious stone. Those who are seeking a contrast of colours may seek a combination of central padparadscha sapphires, surrounded by accent diamonds. However, those who would like the unique padparadscha colours to stand out may opt for white gold or even a platinum ring. As the contrasting effects of white/silver metallic colour will help accentuate the glow of the precious stone.

And rings are not the only jewellery options for padparadschas sapphires. These precious stones can also be used in luxurious earrings. Such as the padparadscha white gold braid square stud earrings: Which is a great choice for those who wish to communicate style and luxury, and can also be a wonderful gift choice for someone special in your life. Engagement rings are a great option for this special stone.  

Padparadscha Sapphire Colour

Padparadscha sapphires come in a range of hues.

_{Salmon colour padparadscha rough gemstone}

_{Lotus flowers in the Blue Lotus Water Gardens, Australia}

If you are a superstitious type and would like to have that extra bit of help in life, then padparadscha sapphires might be the choice for your very unique padparadscha sapphire engagement ring. This precious stone is believed to generate an energy that will contribute to your joy, and add to foresight. The wearer is believed to benefit from its power to affect positive change and a sense of clarity that the precious stone brings to their lives. Or if you’re are someone who just wants to communicate positive energy and luxury, then this stone might be the choice for you. The rarity of the stone, its high value and great light reflections, and means that this is the choice for those who wish to stand out from the crowd.

Why Choose a Padparadscha Sapphire Ring

Provided you can afford it, you should; if you can go for a Padparadscha sapphire ring. As the main challenge when it comes to Padparadscha sapphires is the question of availability. This is not only about finding gemstones in this variety that are jewellery quality but those which are able to match up to a price point that can compete with similar gemstones offerings, which can compete in relation to the 6Cs of sapphires. As a start, when it comes to choosing a Padparadscha sapphire ring the fundamentals that relate to picking a sapphire stone to remain: Does the stone that is mounted on the Padparadscha sapphire ring add up in terms of clarity, the lack of, or the absence of inclusions, the prevalence of colour, which is dispersed throughout the gemstone etc. Whilst the most popular choice for this particular gemstone is the important engagement ring, however, not everyone is in the marriage market, at least not all the time. So if you are seeking an exotic but beautiful, of what is essentially a special variety of sapphire gemstone for your ring, engagement or otherwise, then it is tough to one-up the Padparadscha sapphire.