Inclusions in gemstones are generally not a desirable feature; however when the inclusions are very small and evenly distributed the light is even scattered and extinction reduced, as in the case of this unheated and "glowy" blue sapphire. ​

​These beautiful sapphires are the rarest and most desirable of all sapphires, and the original (and some say the only true variety) were from Sri Lanka. The color is similar to the lotus flower so the name in the Sinhalese language are padma (lotus) and raga (color), or padmaraga, modified over time to padparadscha. Some have also likened it to the color of the sunset or saffron. The combination of ruby and yellow sapphire produces a lovely orangey-pink to pinkish-orange color that is the critical defining characteristic, with no historical mention of tone or saturation. For unknown reasons an influential gemologist in the 1980’s decreed that they must have a pastel tone and low saturation, and this notion has stuck with Western gem labs and consumers. Fortunately the rest of the world still includes all sapphires in the color range as padparadschas, regardless of tone or saturation. I’ve been purchasing padparadschas in Sri Lanka for years, and I much prefer the rare and richly saturated medium toned stones.

If you need a special gemstone, just ask! As a GIA trained graduate gemologist with extensive travel experience and industry affiliations, I have excellent contacts in source countries such as Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Colombia. Contact me for more details.

I’ve been accepted into the International Colored Stone Association (ICA), the only worldwide body specifically created to benefit the global colored gemstone industry. ICA was founded in 1984 and includes over 700 gem industry leaders from mine to market, including miners, gem cutters, suppliers, retailers, trade associations, gemological laboratories, academia, museums, and more, from 47 countries who are devoted to advancing and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of colored gemstones.