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Padparadscha Sapphires

The Padparadscha Sapphire is the rarest among all the fancy color Sapphires. Its name is derived from a Sanskrit word referring to the color of a lotus flower. The lotus is the holy flower in Buddhism and it symbolizes the purity displaying its beauty over an impure world. It is the golden flower merging out of the muddy swamp.

A Padparadscha Sapphire is neither yellow nor orange. Its typical color can be described as pinkish-orange with a salmon-pink hue. Gem hunters and collectors place maximum value on unheated Padparadschas. As fine gemstones with natural color they are mainly found in Sri Lanka ( Ceylon), which is their traditional source. Fine qualities have also been found in Vietnam, Madagascar and Tanzania.

Because of its scarceness, beauty and desirability the Padparadscha Sapphire is one of the most imitated gemstone. Synthetics, artificial products and color-diffused Sapphires are common on the market.

PROPERTIES:

Best color = Soft pinkish-orange with a salmon-pink hue.
Transparency = Transparent.
Brilliancy = High.
Clarity = Eye clean to included (influences the price)
Hardness = 9
Toughness = Excellent.
Cleavage = None

CUT:

Generally oval and cushion shape.

CLEANING METHODS:

Ultrasonic and Steamer = Safe.
Warm soapy water = Safe.

STABILITY:

Reaction to heat = Poor; may sometimes alter its color. Caution: Do not heat unheated Padparadscha Sapphires!
Reaction to chemicals = Borax.

MAJOR SOURCES:

Sri Lanka ( Ceylon), Madagascar, Tanzania.

ENHANCEMENTS:

Mainly heated; also color diffused and irradiated. Caution: Irradiated stones fade after long exposure to sunlight. The FTC requires complete disclosure and explanation of any treatment.

IMITATIONS:

Mainly synthetic Corundum and beryllium-diffused Sapphire.

MOST RESEMBLING GEMSTONES:

Orange Spessartite Garnet, transparent Rhodochrosite, Imperial Topaz.