Sapphires have been one of the most promising and cherished stones in the market, available in wide color palettes with a transparent flickering shine. While traditionally, sapphires are known for their royal dark blue hues and the red one being specifically popular by the name “ruby”, there exists pink, yellow, green, and other color sapphires which are known for their uniqueness and versatility. However, when it comes to a special variety of sapphires that are majorly pink in color, then a question that always baffles people is whether these pink sapphires are any different from the Padparadscha sapphire or both are similar. If a similar thought often crosses your mind as well, then below is all that you need to know.
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The Unmatchable Allure of Pink Sapphires
The pink-colored crystal is very popular among celebrities from DJ Siobhan Bell to the gemology author Joanna Hardy. According to the latter, most of these pink fancies are extracted from Madagascar and Sri Lanka. These stones are over 75% less expensive as compared to diamonds but quite costlier than semi-precious stones. Available in light to dark tones of pink, a purplish or orange touch offers a different variety of pink sapphires. The one with pink and orange hues is what we call a padparadscha stone.
An Amalgamation of Lotus and Dusk: The True Hues of Padparadscha
As per the locals of Sri Lanka from where the stone originally comes, the actual hues of the padparadscha stone have been described as the union of the sunset hues with that of the lotus flower, making it pinkish-orange in color. However, as per the ancient believers in the Indian Subcontinent, the stone possesses the colors of a sunset or that of fire with a reddish-orange tint.
Even today, there is no agreement in Sri Lanka on what colored stone should be tagged padparadscha. While some find it a mix between the lotus and sunset shades in Sri Lanka, others take it as a stone that is more pinkish rather than orange. And then, according to Westerners, the stone is similar to the hues of the sun while others insist on calling them pink.
How did “Padparadscha” get its strange name?
Talking about how the stone got its unique name, the term roots from the Sri Lankan national language Singhalese, or ancient Indian Sanskrit language. The Sri Lankans believe that the stone’s color is inspired by “Padma Raga” (literal meaning: lotus color) or a color similar to that of a lotus flower, due to which the stone was considered a variety of ruby only in the ancient period.
Drawing a Fine Line of Faith: Contrasting Pink Sapphires and Padparadscha
While a padparadscha is a variety of sapphire or corundum mineral that displays a delicate color blend between orange and pink, it could be treated somewhat as a cross between yellow sapphire and ruby. These stones are cleaner or clearer to look at as compared to ruby, thus making the clear ones visible to the naked eye and preferable as well. So yes, the two stones are entirely different in breed whereas pink sapphires are only those with tones of pink, and the padparadscha stones are pinkish-orange in color.
Availability in the Market: Padparadscha in Limelight
Just like other gemstones, padparadscha is available in the market in emerald cut, cushion cut, round, oval, and even in a cabochon cut. As far as budget is concerned then these precious gemstones are as pricey as the fine emerald and ruby gems if those with the finest quality are what you are looking for, although the price may vary depending on the size being purchased. Speaking of the locations where these priceless gems are mined, they were originally mined in Sri Lanka. Certain people believe that only Sri Lankan padparadscha should be called so although similar varieties have been discovered in Madagascar, Vietnam, and Tanzania which reflect vibrant orange or papaya-orange shades after undergoing heat treatment.
Lab-Cultured Padparadscha: Mimicking the Grandeur
Artificial padparadscha stones have been produced commercially since the early 1900s, costing much less than natural ones. At times, pink sapphires are treated in a manner to give off true padparadscha hues, however, such a treatment is often unstable and fades away after the stone is exposed constantly to the sunlight.
Parting Time
The polished colorful gemstones are known for their myriad of facets reflecting splendid hues. The pinkish-tinted and pinkish-orange colored sapphires have an entirely different fanbase and inclination among people of all ages. So, if you also have a sweet corner for these delicacies, GemsNY could be your destination for both readymade and custom-made gems and jewelry.
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