• Colour: The defining characteristic of a Padparadscha sapphire is its distinct blend of pink and orange hues. It sits between pink sapphires and orange sapphires, and finding the right balance is key to its value. The colour can vary in intensity, from pale to vibrant shades, but the most desirable stones have a balanced, harmonious combination of both pink and orange that resembles the warmth of a tropical sunset.
  
  
• Origin: Padparadscha sapphires were traditionally sourced from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), but they can also be found in Madagascar and Tanzania. Sri Lankan stones tend to have the most revered color balance, though high-quality stones from Madagascar have also gained popularity.
  
  Sri Lanka: The most historically significant and sought-after source.
  Madagascar: Produces excellent quality stones with varying tones of pink and orange.
  Tanzania: Another emerging source, though the stones from here are often darker.

• Clarity: As with other sapphires, clarity is an important factor in determining the value of a Padparadscha. These sapphires often have some inclusions, which are natural internal characteristics. Eye-clean stones (without visible inclusions) are rare and highly valuable.
  
  
• Cut: The cut of a Padparadscha sapphire plays a significant role in showcasing its colour and brilliance. A well-executed cut will maximize the stone’s unique colour combination, ensuring it looks bright and lively from all angles.
  Padparadscha sapphires can be challenging to cut because uneven cutting can result in uneven colour zoning, which detracts from the stone’s value.

• Carat Weight: Padparadscha sapphires are available in a wide range of sizes, but large, high-quality stones are rare and command a premium price. Stones above 2 carats in weight are particularly scarce.
  
  
• Treatments: As with most gemstones, some Padparadscha sapphires undergo treatments to enhance their colour or clarity. Heat treatment is the most common, and while it can improve the appearance of the stone, untreated Padparadscha sapphires are more valuable.
  
  Heat Treatment: This is the most accepted enhancement method and can improve both colour and clarity.
  Unheated: Command a higher premium and are rarer, especially when they possess good colour.
  
  
• Buying Tips: Always buy Padparadscha sapphires with a certificate from a reputable gemmological laboratory (e.g. GRS or GIA) to confirm authenticity and details of any treatments.
  

Like any valuable gemstone, proper care is essential to maintain the beauty and longevity of a Padparadscha sapphire.

To clean your Padparadscha sapphire jewellery we advise to send the item to be cleaned by one of our specialists at Marcello Riccio.

In case this is not possible, we offer our jewellery cleaning kit in order to carry out the cleaning yourself by lightly brushing with a soft brush and the spray included within our cleaning kit.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the stone or its setting. Storing the gem separately from other jewelry pieces can help prevent scratches.

We advise to bring your jewellery to Marcello Riccio once a year for a thorough check, cleaning, and revitalisation.