The Name is Sinhalese word "padma radschen", meaning lotus blossom, as the colour of stone is of a similar colour to the lotus blossom. The ideal colour of the padparadscha is the combination of lotus flower and tropical sunset. However there has been differing arguments among experts defining its colour. A survey was taken among the Sri Lankan to identify the colour where most respondents predominantly identified as mentioned in the below table. Many participant indicated 'Deep and vivid' mixture of pink and orange as cherished colour spectrum of padparadscha stone.
This 30-ct. padparadscha from Sri Lanka was cited by Robert Crowningshield as the epitome of the variety. Photo © Tino Hammid.
It is considered among the most beautiful and valuable of the corundum gems. With prices superseding to those of emeralds and rubies. Prices for padparadscha can greatly vary according to size and purity, ideal colour, transparency, refractions and cut. Padparadscha is commonly found Sri Lanka but are also found to be from Madagascar and Tanzania. The finest Padparadscha sapphires are coming from Sri Lanka. Stones coming from Madagascar are usually found to be pinker in colour than pinkish sunset orange and they are sold for about 30-20% less than those from Sri Lanka.
At t Christie's June 7 2005 New York sale, a magnificent 20.84-carat padparadscha sapphire was sold at a staggering price of $18,000 per carat back in 2005. Ever since the price for fine quality unheated padparadscha has been increasing.
As per recent investigation is said that supreme quality Padparadscha can reach as much as US$50,000 per carat or even more for its exceptional colour combined with size and purity.
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