Quite possibly one of the most intriguing stones, the padparadscha sapphire is a stunning, yet unique blend of shades of pink and orange that merge in a kaleidoscopic wonder, flaunting sheer brilliance. The stone is one of the rarest, and not easily found.
Padparadscha translates to the colour of a lotus flower, which is what it essentially means in Sanskrit. The idea behind this unique stone with a unique name is that it encapsulates the hues of a tropical lotus flower. Due to its rarity, the stone is truly one of a kind, not rivalled by any other gemstone species or colour substitute.
In 2018, after the engagement of Princess Eugenie of the British Monarch, which was marked by the adornment of a gorgeous padparadscha flower ring, more people started gravitating towards the stone widening the scope for this sapphire in the market. It is best matched with vintage style jewellery, showcasing and air of rustic, yet beautiful glamour.
After years of debate, gemologists are still unclear about the standard of the colour range of this beautiful stone. Points to be considered include how deep the shades of pink or orange are. While there is no certain colour fixture, it does a lot of research to determine the stone type as both shades of pink and orange should be present for it to qualify as a padparadscha.
This stone is usually really light, despite having a mix of colours. Therefore it is easy to spot any inclusions; any ounce of cloudiness can deter the clarity of the stone. As such, the refining process needs to be executed to perfection. The unique stone can sometimes be difficult to handle in order to produce custom cut gems as it may produce asymmetrical cuts, however, as an institution of professional custom cut gems, Lustre has utilised padparadscha in the best way possible, highlighting the brilliance and radiance of the stone, whilst bringing out the full effect of its striking colour.
When selecting padparadscha sapphires, always make sure to study the colour of the stone, it's authenticity and origin. Most of these sapphires are popularly found in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Whilst Sri Lankan padparadscha stones are more vibrant in their colour, the ones from Madagascar are mostly pink, with a few traces of orange, however, in most cases, the colour peaks after the stone is heated.
Padparadscha sapphires are truly a unique attribute to the world of gemstones, a stone so vibrant in colour, it would add a little bit of sparkle and a whole lot of colour when used in jewellery or ornaments. Albeit, not easily available, this stone can be a game-changer when used correctly.