Spring is finally in full swing here in NYC, we’ve basing in the warmer weather while patiently waiting for flowers to peep up. Nothing brings to mind blooming flowers like Padparadscha sapphires. Named after the color of a Lotus blossom, the pinkish orange glow of these stones are hypnotizing.

There is one certainty that is unequivocally true about Padparadscha sapphires – they are the most difficult type of sapphire to pronounce (pad-pah-raj-ah).The name derives from the Sinhalese word for Lotus blossom. The Sinhalese people are native to, and the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka, where most Padparadscha sapphires are found.

Padparadschas are among the rarest gems on the planet. They are strikingly beautiful and almost no other colored gemstone compares to their unique mix of pink and orange. To be named a Padparadscha, the gem should exhibit both colors. At the Natural Sapphire Company, we have one of the world’s largest stocks of this exotic stone.This short guide is for those considering a padparadscha stone purchase. Designed to be unbiased, it will give you the confidence and essential know-how to make an informed and successful purchase.

The Color

The very thing that makes ‘Pads’ so special is their unique coloring. It is perhaps best described as a delicate light to medium toned pink-orange to orange-pink hue – a mix of pink and orange – Salmon colored.

All gemstones are unique and will have their own individual coloring; some more pink or orange than others, some lighter or darker in tone. For most sapphires, the more saturated the color, the more valuable the gem. With Padparadschas, a medium saturation is often more highly regarded, since these gems are expected to be pastel in color and tone. But really it is what you prefer that counts when it comes to choosing a color.

Clarity And Cut

Clarity is an important element for Padparadschas because their light tones can easily reveal inclusions. Any sort of cloudiness will dull their delicate color. Nevertheless, these stone are so rare that consumers may have to sacrifice high clarity in order to obtain a stone with brilliant color. The extreme scarcity of padparadscha ‘rough’ means that cut stones will be shaped to conserve as much material as possible. This also means that stones may have unusual, asymmetrical cuts, but this is a sign that your sapphire is the real deal!

Carat Weight

It is unusual to find Padparadschas over two carats in weight. A fine  Padparadscha greater than 2 carats is a real rarity, while a stone above five carats can be considered a world-class gem and auction house worthy. The largest gem quality Padparadscha sapphire is 100.18 CT and can be found in the New York’s American Museum of Natural History.

 Ring Setting

 Finding the right setting style and ring metal to make the best of your chosen sapphire. Pads are generally very warm in color. Surrounded by a diamond halo, or with a pave band, they can look unbelievable.

 A pinker stone often suits yellow gold, while more orange colored pads look lovely with rose-gold. Where there is an even mix of orange and pink then platinum or white-gold may suit best.

If you are creating your own personal ring design my advice would be to pick your stone first and then test it out against different ring metals. With a certain jewelry company (I’m not mentioning any names!) high quality composite images of your chosen stone and setting can be provided which show exactly what the finished ring will look like.

The Origin Of Padparadscha Sapphires 

Padparadscha sapphires are mainly found in Sri Lanka, as well as Madagascar and Tanzania. Some experts insist that true padparadschas can come only from Sri Lanka, which, for centuries, was the only source of this coveted stone.

We feel that the finest stones do in fact come from Sri Lanka, but Madagascar is now producing a major percentage of the stones available on the market. The stones from Madagascar are usually more pink than orange, and although they are classified as padparadscha, they are normally sold at a price that is about 20 percent less than the Sri Lanka padparadschas.

 Make up

Padparadscha sapphires are a variety of Corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral that forms in crystals. They owe their color to the additional trace elements of chromium and iron present during their formation, and share all those special sapphire qualities, including their remarkable hardness (rated 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness – just behind the diamond).

 Treatment

Because of the high prices that these rare sapphires command many treatments have been developed to create padparadscha-like color in sapphires. In the late 1990s, the world gem market experienced a sudden influx of Padparadscha sapphires. Consumer enthusiasm turned to outrage when it was discovered that these stones had been colored by a radical new treatment method.  When heated to extreme temperatures in the presence of beryllium, poorly colored pink sapphires can emerge with an exquisite pinkish orange to orangey pink ‘padparadscha’ color. Beryllium penetrates deep into the sapphire, making it extremely difficult to detect.

Within our inventory you will see that some of our Padparadscha sapphires are certified as heat-treated. This should not be confused with Beryllium diffusion-treated sapphires.  We offer both heated and untreated padparadscha sapphires because there are so few stones available on the market. The prices for fine untreated padparadschas are quite demanding and only a few have the opportunity to purchase them. Even heated padparadscha sapphires are quite expensive if they are good quality.

 Pricing

By far the most rare sapphire on the market. They have become collectors items and are bought up as quickly as they are found.Natural Padparadscha sapphires sell at a premium, nearing the price for a fine blue sapphire.  Prices of several thousand dollars per carat are not unusual.

The value of a Padparadscha sapphire will vary depending on the size and quality of the gemstone. Unheated specimens are especially valuable. Because of their rarity Padparadscha sapphires are one of the world’s most expensive gems, with prices similar to those fetched by fine rubies or emeralds.

A Padparadscha’s Meaning 

Pink sapphires mean creativity, love, and romance while orange sapphires symbolize energy and enthusiasm. With both of these meanings combined in one stone, Padpadradscha sapphires really are truly unique. The lucky women who owns such a stone is an individual that takes a different and fun approach to life and love.

And Finally 

As with all gemstone purchases, insist on verified documentation; preferably independent examination reports that detail the identity of the stone. Factors such as weight, dimensions, clarity and color rating and whether there are indications of heating.

Please examine our fantastic collection of Padparadscha sapphires on our website. Here you can refine and filter your choice of pink sapphire by stone shape, stone color, price range and carat weight. It really is a tremendous amount of fun. Prices vary depending on the size and quality of each stone. Carat weight plus a combination of color and cut quality, and clarity grade.

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