Padparadscha Sapphire Buying Guide
Padparadscha sapphires get their name from the Sinhalese word for “lotus colored.” This rare and elusive gem generates some debate among gemologists, so learn about its quality factors before your own padparadscha sapphire buying excursion.
3 Minute Read
Padparadscha Sapphire Buying and the Four Cs
The IGS sapphire value listing has price guidelines for sapphires. Padparadscha sapphires can rival fine blue sapphires in price.
At 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is hard enough to resist scratches. In addition, this tough stone is unlikely to break when knocked, making it an excellent choice for any jewelry setting.
Color
By far the most important factor in padparadscha sapphire quality is its color, but assessing padparadscha color isn’t straightforward. The lotus flower for which it’s named, Nelumbo nucifera, has deep pink petals with a yellow pistil. Unlike most gem colors, the definition of padparadscha proves elusive. Gemological laboratories use different grading criteria to determine whether a stone qualifies.
Most Western standards agree that a padparadscha sapphire should be light to medium in tone (30-65%) with a mix of pink and orange hues. Brown hues are undesirable. Yellow or purple tertiary hues may be acceptable to some, but for others the presence of any tertiary hue would disqualify the stone from the padparadscha label. In addition, color should be evenly distributed, with no face-up zoning. However, many faceted padparadscha sapphires have a yellow or yellow-orange hue around…
Addison Rice
A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison's interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth's geological processes began in her elementary school's environmental club. When she isn't writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.
Related Articles
Padparadscha Sapphire Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Ruby and Sapphire Origins
Ruby and Sapphire Survey: Where Do You Draw the Line?
Morganite Buying Guide
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!