Sapphires, like their counterparts rubies, belong to the corundum group, boasting a remarkable hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamonds. While blue sapphires are the most renowned, it's important to note that sapphires come in an array of vibrant hues, collectively known as "fancy sapphires."
Let's delve into the diverse world of sapphire varieties:
1. Blue Sapphires – The Regal Gems: The most recognizable among sapphires, these gems are named after the Greek word for "blue." The deep blue sapphires, often referred to as royal blue sapphires, are particularly sought after. Their enchanting blue hues are a result of the interplay between titanium oxide and iron within the stone.
2. Pink Sapphires --- Pink sapphires exhibit a spectrum of shades, ranging from delicate pinks to vibrant ones with hints of violet. Some may even possess reddish undertones, albeit less commonly. Notably, stones showcasing violet nuances, primarily found in Madagascar, are subjected to low-temperature heating to transform into exquisite pink sapphires. These gems, alongside Padparadscha sapphires, rank among the most coveted varieties after the beloved blue sapphires, commanding premium prices.
3. Padparadscha Sapphires – The Color of Lotus Blooms: The Padparadscha sapphire is characterized by its distinctive orange-pink color, drawing its name from Sanskrit and Sinhalese languages, signifying "lotus colored." Today, gemological laboratories reserve the term "padparadscha" for a specific color range, defined as pink-orange or orange-pink. When the color saturation is less intense, the gems are referred to as peach-colored. Interestingly, Padparadscha sapphires are the only gemstones where decreasing color intensity translates into increased value.
2.78ct Padparadscha Sapphire
4. Yellow Sapphires: Iron content imparts a rich yellow hue to these sapphires. While they can command impressive prices, it's essential that they exhibit exceptional quality to do so. Yellow sapphires are primarily cherished for their use in jewelry.
5. White or Colorless Sapphires: These sapphires represent the purest form of corundum, standing out for their rarity compared to their colorful counterparts. They find favor in the world of jewelry, often serving as an alternative to diamonds. Their colorlessness arises from the absence of foreign metal ions.
6. Sapphires with Remarkable Effects: Sapphire enthusiasts can explore a realm of unique sapphires that exhibit captivating effects.
Star Sapphires: These gems boast asterism, featuring rutile inclusions that create a star-like visual effect. Star sapphires are typically cut as cabochons to accentuate this distinctive phenomenon. The illustrious "Star of Bombay," a captivating 182-carat gem, is among the most renowned star sapphires.
Color-Changing Sapphires: Under different lighting conditions, these sapphires undergo a color transformation. For instance, they may appear violet in natural light and shift to blue under UV light. The extent of the color change varies, with more pronounced shifts commanding higher prices. Color-changing sapphires manifest in shades of blue, purple, and brown.
Bicolor Sapphires (Parti Sapphires): Bicolor sapphires exhibit two distinct colors or color zones perceptible to the naked eye in natural light. They may feature combinations such as brown and yellow or green and blue. The most coveted bicolor sapphires display a gradual transition, with one color variety at one end of the gem, seamlessly blending into the other color variety at the opposite end. These sapphires, often referred to as Parti sapphires, are relatively rare within the realm of fancy sapphires.