Padparadscha Sapphires

The most valuable of all the sapphires and prized throughout the ages, padparadscha sapphires are as beautiful and exotic as their name. The term padparadscha is derived from the Singhalese word for a salmon colored lotus blossom. Overall, padparadscha sapphires are pinkish orange in color, but vary in hue and tone.

The question of just what exactly qualifies for the princely kiss of “padparadscha” is a matter of debate, even among experts. Today, padparadscha is narrowly defined by gemologists as a Sri Lankan sapphire of delicate pinkish orange color.

Most lotus blossoms are far more pink than orange, and in ancient times, padmaraga was described as a subvariety of ruby. Today, some define the gem's color as a blend of lotus and sunset.

The original source for padparadscha is Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and purists today believe the term should be restricted only to stones from Ceylon. However, fine stones have also been found in Vietnam’s Quy Chau district, Tanzania’s Tunduru district, and Madagascar.