It is interesting to notice, talking to different people within the trade, that their understanding of a padparadscha sapphire might actually be quite different.

Indeed, the gemstone world does suffer today from a clear non harmonised use of terms and vocabulary. Even though some important associations like the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) or the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) do work hard in that direction, there are still minds that have their own understanding and labs that follow their own guidelines. That’s how some reports might attribute a padparadscha call to a heated stone whereas others will not, or how some labs will test the colour of the stone for stability and others not. But before talking about treatment and stability, there are already disagreements about the colour a padparadscha sapphire should have.
Some people will talk about an even mix of a pink and an orange colour, others will emphasise on the importance of a weak saturation and light tone, whereas others believe a padparadscha sapphire should be called padparadscha as long as the colour is due by chromium and colour center - no saturation or tone restrictions! Finally, some might tell you a true padparadscha sapphire should be called as such only if it comes from Sri Lanka, the original place this special gem has first be unearthed.

When buying such rare and unique pieces like those three padparadscha sapphires, it is important to know exactly what you are buying to understand the value lying behind the so desired padparadscha call.

So, what’s your understanding of a padparadscha sapphire?