What is a Padparadscha Sapphire?

Is Padparadscha a Gemstone?

The padparadscha sapphire is a gemstone that belongs in the corundum family. It was first discovered in Sri Lanka but has also been found in East Africa and Madagascar. Highly unique, the Padparadscha sapphire is characterized by its light pink-orange or orange-pink hue. In fact, the name “padparadscha” is derived from the Singhalese word for lotus blossom, a water flower with a similar pink-orange color. Because of its uncommon shade and lack of artificial treatment, the padparadscha sapphire is a highly-coveted gemstone valued above most sapphires.
Love and Promise Jewelers offers many different unique and rare gemstones - among them, a breathtakingly beautiful 4.06cts Oval Salmon Champagne Padparadscha Sapphire sourced from Sri Lanka.

 

The meaning of the padparadscha sapphire

As previously mentioned, the word “padparadscha” comes from the Singhalese/Sanskrit “padma raga”, a name for a lotus flower that grows around Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa. The lotus flower shares the same orange and pink hues as the sapphire gemstone named after it.
Many have associated the color of padparadscha sapphires with joy, positive energy, and good fortune. The gemstone has been said to bestow a sense of clarity and intuition to those who own it. Padparadscha sapphire owners believe that the gemstone can help create a sense of tranquility necessary for tackling major conflicts and changes.
 

Are padparadscha sapphires expensive?

The padparadscha sapphire is among the most valuable of gemstones. This is mostly due to its rarity, natural occurrence, and unique appearance. Due to the high price of padparadscha sapphires, many jewelers offer heat-treated sapphires as a more budget-friendly option; heat-treated sapphires take on a warm and vivid tone, similar to that of the natural padparadscha sapphire. From a resale perspective, the natural padparadscha sapphire is the most coveted and will receive a better buyback value. Other names for the padparadscha color are peach champagne sapphires or peach sapphires. Popular affordable alternatives to peach champagne sapphires are blush champagne sapphires, like this beautiful 1.19cts Round Blush Champagne Sapphire.

In addition, this 1.14cts Oval Light Peach Blush Champagne Sapphire still holds the blush tones found in the padparadscha, but being a true sapphire, is offered at a more affordable price point.

 

What is the rarest type of sapphire?

Padparadscha sapphires remain one of the rarest and most expensive types of gemstones; padparadscha sapphires are rarer than diamonds. There are, however, other types of sapphires that are considered rare as well, such as the Kashmir blue sapphire. In 2007, a 22.66 carat blue Kashmir sapphire was auctioned off for over 3 million dollars, setting a new world record. Other unheated rare blue sapphires can cost up to $10,000+ per carat. In addition to the type of sapphire, gemstone cut, size, and treatment are also important pricing factors.
Padparadscha sapphires are among the most gorgeous gemstones to be found in nature, which can explain their steep value and popular demand. Finding the perfect peach champagne padparadscha can be a major journey on its own, but this sapphire is truly one to behold.
To explore our other collections of unique and elegant gemstones, visit our gallery here.