Genuine investment sapphires never lose value, but fakes are always on the rise. Understanding the characteristics and history of genuine Padparadscha Sri Lanka Orange and Yellow Sapphires are the tools of a smart investor.

Om mani padme hum –

Hail the jewel in the heart of the lotus

—Buddhist mantra

Sri Lanka Padparadscha sapphires are a delicate color that is a combination of pink/coral and orange/red. The debate over its use pits those who believe that romantic terms are vital sales aids against others afraid that buyers will be taken advantage of if the padparadscha brush is too broad. But before getting into that, let’s look at the root word of our padparadscha.

Today, many narrowly define padparadscha as a Sri Lankan sapphire of delicate pinkish orange color. But the original use of the term was somewhat different. Padparadscha is derived from the Sanskrit/Singhalese padma raga (padma = lotus; raga = color), a color akin to the lotus flower (Nelumbo Nucifera ‘Speciosa’). Wojtilla provides the following from a Sanskrit source under his description of ruby:

Padparadscha sapphires are one of the most expensive sapphires, with prices similar to those fetched by fine rubies or emeralds. Prices for padparadscha sapphires are difficult to determine because some sources value them at the highest range of a pink sapphire at $4,800/carat, while others place them in their own category of up to $30,000/carat. Much depends on the size and overall quality of the stones, however a large quanity of high quality stones is better than one huge gemstone in the rough.

Be on the look out for large orange sapphires, as these beauties are rarely seen in sizes greater than 2 carats, and under 1 carat is quite common. Really, any Padparadscha sapphire above 4 carats is a unusual. Very few star padparadscha sapphires have ever been found, and most are improved by hand faceting. When buying a padparadscha sapphire, make sure the origin is Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, that the color is a red/pink and orange, and that the seller knows the gem is "natural" or "genuine." Recently, celebrities have been buying padparadscha sapphires instead of more diamonds... and why not since padparadscha sapphires are even now much more rare than diamonds. Only the elite should apply.

INVESTMENT GRADE STONES

Rare sapphires, as with most precious gems, are concentrated portable wealth among many people in the world with high and medium incomes. Gems are the traditional means of transferring savings without oppressive taxes. Gems are timeless hard currency, so durable and so beautiful. To buy an investment grade sapphire, you have to buy a true valuable rare gem, not just a big dark blue rock!

Value in gemstones is determined by beauty and rarity.

Lab grown gems can not be considered investment grade, even though they are beautiful and flawless because they can be mass produced. Look for the pure blue, if you can’t afford a Kashmir color, or a AAA top grade Royal Blue, it is more likely that you can buy a good color Ceylon sapphire and still consider it an investment grade. Large crystals with fire or reflection are rarer. Incomparable and priceless gems are usually incomparable in size. However, to classify a blue sapphire as an investment grade, it must be at least 1 ct size as a free standing gemstone. Eye clean or Included, look for natural signs of a real gemstones and the marks of beauty and attractiveness. Looking for an eye clean Blue Sapphire is an easier job than looking for a clean Ruby. Inclusions are quite acceptable as long as there is no obvious color zoning as color outweighs clarity. You can not generally consider a banded or zoned sapphire as investment grade unless other factors outweigh a few color flaws. Investment grade must be well cut. Workers hand cut almost all rubies and sapphires, because gems sell by weight, trade practice has been to maximize weight and let sizes fall where they may, producing what the Trade calls "native cut" off unsymmetrical shapes usually with a large "window or shallow cuts." An investment grade sapphire will hold and steadily increase in its value if it is well cut.

HEAT TREATMENT AND DEEP DIFFUSION SAPPHIRES

While heat treatment today is an acceptable practice in the gem trade, deep diffusion is not respected and considered as an unethical practice, especially if misrepresented or not disclosed to consumers. By using iron and titanium powders heated up to 2000 degrees Celsius, deep diffusion process change artificially the natural white sapphire color to unnatural blue color. Diffused sapphires can easily lose their artificial color if chipped, re polished or re cut. Heat treatment, simply finishes what nature did not accomplish. Heating does not change the natural look of a Sapphire. It simply enhances its color and clarity by adding vividness and purity. Since the vast majority of rough rubies and sapphires are heated soon after they are mined, dealers assume, unless there is a substantial amount of proof to the contrary, that all Rubies and Sapphires have been heated. Most consumers today accept heating as a reality. Heat treatment is durable and stable. Heat treated Sapphires, never fade in their color while deep diffusion sapphires are quire unstable.

At the Tucson 2003 gem shows, a closed-door meeting yielded an agreement among American dealers, manufacturers, and jewelry retailers that the treatment should be disclosed as diffusion. Members of the Thai gem industry were present at the discussion, and while no formal commitment was made at the shows, the dialogue was carried back to Thailand.

On February 20, the Chanthaburi Gem & Jewelry Association (CGA) announced through representative Thaigem.com that they would disclose the treatment — not as diffused, but as heated with beryllium. While only the CGA has committed to disclosing that way, its membership includes many of the heat treaters who are performing the beryllium diffusion.

Disclosure among other Thai dealers is still hit or miss.

Since value is based on rarity, unheated sapphires are usually sold, if found, with 4 to 5 times the price of a comparable heated Sapphire. When investing in such rare gems, you should request a certificate to guarantee the condition. At Eternal Pearl, we are always happy to certify the natural condition of our gemstones. Any reputable dealer will allow enough time for a return for a buyer to get a gemstone(s) appraised if the buyer desires more information before a sale is final.