Framing gemstones as the 'most expensive' or 'most desirable', comes infused with a strange pretension. At least it feels that way...
Maybe I am so conscious of not oozing the slime of a sales pitch, so I try and avoid pushing industry standards onto our customer base, as it is something we try and actively steer them away from. So let's take a different tact...
I will lay out the case for why this type of sapphire yields such a high demand, both industry and consumer facing. Then give my take.
We are here to talk about one of rarest and most traditionally valuable sapphires in the world, the padparadscha sapphire.
Quick History Lesson
The name "padparadscha" comes from the Sinhalese word for lotus flower, which is the national flower of Sri Lanka, where most of these rare sapphires are found. The first recorded mention of padparadscha sapphires dates back to the 18th century, when they were described as a "rare and beautiful gemstone" in the writings of the famous gemologist Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington.
There are deposits in Madagascar and Tanzania, however many believe that in order to be a true Padparadscha sapphire, it should come Sri Lanka.
Padparadscha sapphires are a unique blend of pink and orange colours, ranging from delicate pastel shades to intense hues. The exact colour and tone of a padparadscha sapphire can vary depending on the quality of the stone and the lighting conditions. In general, the best quality padparadscha sapphires are considered to have a delicate balance of pink and orange, with a slight hint of purple.
In terms of their physical properties, padparadscha sapphires are a variety of corundum, which is the same mineral that makes up rubies. They are incredibly hard and durable, with a Mohs hardness rating of 9 out of 10 - same as all sapphires.
OUR TAKE;
So, with that house keeping out of the way, let me put the Lei è spin on things...
We will naturally repel industry standards that are based on unjustifiable or illogical reasoning - such as the negative framing of warm white diamonds, see our blog here on this topic.
However, (hear me out), however - these padparadscha sapphires are truly amazing.
In the past, we have consistently used the peachy/pink hued tourmalines based on this colour characteristic alone, (see our freeform design here).
So with the additional Mohs hardness and durability, coupled with this amazing soft sunset peach, these stones are an unbelievable option for an engagement ring. They have a unique rapport with all colours of gold; white, yellow and rose gold are all very suitable options.
To be honest, I can't deny the prestige that this stone comes with. It does command authority and rightly so.
Having a Padparadscha in the ranks is an important one for us, as we want to be able to showcase the range at which sapphires operate.
Of course, we needed to give a nod to the Lei è style of design, so we sourced an freeform cut that will be housed in our Irregular Cluster design.
I can't explain how excited I am on this irregular cluster...
03⌇Irregular Cluster of Padparadscha Sapphire
$9,990.00
This modern One Of A Kind three stone design has the central beauty of one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones on the plant, a Padparadscha Sapphire. Engagement ring or statement piece. Materials & Specs Made from 18ct Yellow Gold 2.05ct Irregular Peach Padparadscha Sapphire - 11.34 x… read more
