SAPPHIRE Colours

A guide to all kinds of Sapphire Colours

"A sapphire is a piece of sky that fell to the earth, a celestial gem that holds the power of the heavens." - Haruki Murakami

Sapphires come in all three primary colors: blue, yellow, and red. Additionally, the color spectrum includes many other hues and nuances, ranging from light to dark. The color of sapphires is derived from trace elements in the mineral corundum. Classic blue sapphires owe their color to iron and titanium, while the addition of chromium imparts a pink hue to the corundum, and an increased amount of chromium results in a reddish color, thus creating a ruby.
 

When people think of sapphires, they often imagine an intense blue color. However, natural sapphires can be found in nearly every color of the rainbow, including pink, rose, violet, yellow, orange, green, blue-green, and white (colorless). The special pink-orange or orange-pink combination is known as Padparadscha sapphire, the rarest and one of the most prized sapphire colors. Additionally, there are "color-changing" and "two-color" sapphires.
 

Understanding sapphire colors is important as the color of a gemstone is a crucial factor in its value, and there is a suitable sapphire color for every preference. The market features various names and terms that attempt to describe colors more precisely. While sometimes helpful, these terms can also be confusing, as colors can span a range that cannot always be described exactly. This contributes to the "myth" of colored gemstones, but it is still essential to classify the terms accurately.

The color spectrum of sapphire includes all the colors of the rainbow, with the red variety being the ruby. Here, we explain some terminology and distinguish colors from each other to provide a better understanding of the color designation of corundum (sapphire and ruby).

Ruby and Pink Sapphires

The distinction between a ruby and a pink sapphire has been a topic of debate for many years. Despite the challenges in establishing a precise boundary, internationally recognized laboratories have strived to standardize and clarify the differences. Although an exact separation may not always be achievable, the evaluations provided by major laboratories in North America and Europe are generally consistent and dependable.

Rubies are classified into various color categories within the market. The "Pinkish-Red" variety, known for its warm and radiant hue, is popular and often found in Burmese rubies as well as those from Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Among these, the term "Pigeon's Blood" is perhaps the most renowned, although it applies to a narrow color range and a limited number of rubies.

 

This term traditionally signifies the finest ruby colors. Most rubies from Mogok have a purplish tint, with pure red stones being quite rare. The "Pigeon's Blood" red is vivid, akin to the color of a red traffic light. This distinctive color is not exclusive to Mogok (Myanmar); it can also be found in Mong Hsu (Burma), Vietnam, Mozambique, Tanzania, and other regions.
 

"Royal Red" rubies, a shade darker than Pigeon's Blood, were historically termed "rabbit blood" in Burma. These stones typically contain slightly higher iron content, reducing fluorescence and blue light transmission, resulting in a darker, purer red. Royal Red rubies, also known as "Dark Red," are commonly sourced from Mozambique, Thailand/Cambodia, Kenya, and Madagascar.

Pink and Purple Sapphires

Pink and violet sapphires exhibit a nearly limitless array of shades, making precise classification challenging. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that the human eye perceives pink hues differently in various contexts. The rarity of these sapphires increases with the intensity of their pink or violet hue. "Light Pink" refers to a very soft pink shade, while a delicate rosé color is termed "Rosé Pink." Sapphires with a slight yellowish shimmer, resembling a peach color, are known as "Peach" sapphires. These shades are often collectively referred to as "Pastel Pink." A "Medium Pink" sapphire has a stronger hue, and when the saturation is even more pronounced, it is classified as "Vivid Pink."

When the color intensity of a sapphire nearly reaches that of a ruby but still retains a primarily pink hue, it is designated as "Hot Pink," sometimes referred to as "Asian Ruby." This hue is not quite red enough to be classified as a true ruby but is notable for its beautiful and rare intensity. There is ongoing international debate about whether these stones should be categorized as pink sapphires or rubies. 

 

The "Hot Pink" coloration occurs because these sapphires allow more blue to violet wavelengths to pass through, a result of their relatively low iron content combined with chromium. This leads to a slightly bluer red hue and significant fluorescence in the red spectrum. Gemstones with this color are typically found in low-iron deposits, such as those in the Himalayas (including Burma and Vietnam), East Africa (Mozambique and Tanzania), and, more rarely, Sri Lanka.

Purple sapphires exhibit a range of color gradations similar to pink sapphires. They can vary from a "Light Purple" to a more intense "Medium Purple" and finally to an intense "Vivid Purple" hue. The rarest of these are deep purple shades, known as "Deep Purple" or "Dark Purple," which evoke an intense lilac shade, often referred to as "Lavender." Additionally, there are mixed colors such as "Purplish Pink" or "Pinkish Purple," which blend pink and purple hues and are highly popular in the market. These mixed colors are frequently observed in sapphires from Sri Lanka.

 

Another notable shade is "Fuchsia," named after the fuchsia flower. This color is an intense violet-red, leaning more towards red than pink. Sapphires with this hue are sourced from various regions, including Burma, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Vietnam, and Tanzania. The term "Lilac" is also commonly used for purple sapphires, encompassing all shades from pastel lavender to vibrant violet, although it does not provide a precise color delineation. Lilac sapphires primarily come from Sri Lanka, Burma, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

Blue Sapphires

Blue sapphires exhibit a range of pastel blue tones, each with its distinct designation. The lightest shade is "Light Blue" also known as "Silver Blue" or "Sky Blue". A more medium blue tone is referred to as "Medium Blue" often affectionately called "Ceylon Blue" or "Water Blue" noted for its strong brilliance and luminosity in a fresh pastel blue hue. When the color becomes more saturated, it is typically termed "Cornflower Blue" characterized by a delicate violet-blue hue. An even more intense blue tone is called "Vivid Blue" while the deep, classic blue is known as "Royal Blue" This shade is renowned for its enchanting quality, which must remain vivid despite its dark color to be considered high quality.

 

Sapphires that are lifeless or too dark, appearing blue-gray, are deemed to be of inferior quality. The distinction between "Cornflower Blue" and "Royal Blue" represents the classics of blue sapphires, with various other shades found in the market, though they are less common.

"Cornflower Blue" is a term used for fine blue sapphires that exhibit vivid brilliance. This color lies between the lighter pastel blues and the deeper, more intense peacock and royal blues in terms of hue and saturation. Cornflower blue sapphires, which possess a "warm" hue with a slight hint of violet ("Violettish Blue"), can be found in the same regions as pastel sapphires, including Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania. It is essential for the sapphire to maintain this warm hue, reminiscent of the cornflower in the field. If the sapphire has mixed colors such as green or gray, giving it a colder appearance, it should not be classified as cornflower blue.

 

In contrast, "Royal Blue" is a vivid blue-purple with a very deep tone, best exemplified by the fine sapphires historically found in Burma's Mogok Mine, although new occurrences from this region are rare. Today, royal blue sapphires are primarily found in Sri Lanka, and less commonly in Madagascar. Partial occurrences in Tanzania and occasionally in Cambodia and Nigeria tend to be darker. Notably, due to differences in daylight, royal blue sapphires appear about 10-15% darker in Europe or North America than in their Asian countries of origin.

 

The vibrancy and luminosity ("luster" or "fire") are crucial for the finest quality royal blue sapphires. While they may have less brilliance than cornflower blue sapphires, their deep, calm, and classic appearance, coupled with an intense shade of blue, gives them a regal and timeless appeal.

Yellow Sapphires

Yellow sapphires exhibit a range of hues, from "Light Yellow" to "Medium Yellow." The "Medium Yellow" shade is often referred to as "Canary Yellow", a term borrowed from the diamond world, which is very popular. A more intense yellow hue is known as "Vivid Yellow" also called "Golden Yellow" characterized by a rich, golden color. When the color intensity increases further, the sapphire takes on a dark yellow to orange shade, known as "Yellowish-Orange."

The term "Mekong Whisky" refers to an intense orange-yellow sapphire, reminiscent of a rich honey color. This hue is highly sought after in the Thai market and is named after the local Mekong Whisky or Mekhong Whisky. If the sapphire lacks pure yellow nuances and exhibits a bright, intense orange hue, it is classified simply as "Orange." Additionally, the market sometimes uses the term "Red Sapphire" which should not be confused with a ruby. This designation refers to an orange sapphire with a strong red coloration, typically originating from East Africa.

White Sapphires

"White sapphires" also known as "Colorless Sapphire" or "Leuco Sapphire" are sapphires that lack any coloration. These pure white gems serve as an alternative to white diamonds, offering a different refractive index and often being very pure. They are particularly attractive in larger carat sizes and are priced significantly lower than diamonds.

 

There are variations of white sapphires with delicate hues that add to their appeal. Sapphires with a slight champagne coloration are occasionally referred to as "Champagne" sapphires. It's important to note that the term "champagne" is not strictly defined and can be used ambiguously in the market, sometimes referring to light yellow, orange, or pink tones. In the case of pink tones, it may resemble a very light "peach" or morganite color.

 

White sapphires with subtle blue, yellow, or pink hues are also categorized as "White-Blueish," "White-Yellowish," and "White-Pinkish." These gems are lighter in color compared to pastel-colored sapphires and are rarer than pure white sapphires. They are predominantly sourced from Sri Lanka and possess a unique charisma due to their color luster. Their appearance can shift between pure white in direct daylight to revealing a slight hue or shade more prominently in shaded conditions.

Green Sapphires

Green sapphires exhibit a range of hues similar to pink sapphires, spanning from light to dark shades. While the market generally does not categorize green sapphires into as many distinct shades as pink sapphires, there are a few common classifications.

 

"Light Green" sometimes referred to as "Mint Green" represents the lighter end of the spectrum. "Vivid Green" describes an intense, saturated green hue. Shades falling between these extremes are often categorized simply as "Medium Green."

It's important to note that the green tones found in sapphires are distinct from those of other green gemstones like emerald, peridot, tsavorite, or green tourmaline. Terms such as grass green, olive green, or fir green are not applicable to sapphires because sapphires possess their own unique range of green hues.

 

In summary, green sapphires range from light to dark shades, with common descriptors including Light Green, Medium Green, and Vivid Green. These colors are unique to sapphires and should not be confused with the greens of other gemstones.

"Montana sapphires" refer to a specific type of sapphire found in Montana, USA, known for their distinctive silvery-green color. These sapphires appear as a unique silvery-green hue under daylight or fluorescent light conditions, but they may appear more silvery-gray under incandescent light. The Montana sapphire mining regions, including Yogo Gulch, Rock Creek, and Dry Cottonwood Creek, also yield sapphires in various other colors such as pale green, blue-green, light pink, purple, orange, yellow, and pale blue.
 

In addition to Montana sapphires, there is a special type known as "Party Colour." Party Colour sapphires exhibit a color combination of green-blue or blue-green, reminiscent of the bright blue-green feathers around the eye of the teal bird. These sapphires typically originate from basalt deposits found in locations such as Australia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Thailand. Party sapphires, along with various shades of green, have recently gained popularity and are considered fashionable in the world of sapphires.

 

Overall, Montana sapphires are noted for their silvery-green color, while teal sapphires represent a distinct category with their green-blue or blue-green hues, both contributing to the diversity and appeal of sapphire gemstones.

Padparadscha Sapphire

The name "Padparadscha" originates from the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka, meaning "lotus flower" in German. Similar to the flower it's named after, the Padparadscha Sapphire captivates with a unique play of colors closely associated with Sri Lanka's culture and landscapes. Padparadscha is characterized by a blend of orange and pink hues, often compared to the warm glow of a Sri Lankan sunset or described as a "Salmon Color." This exquisite color is the rarest among sapphires, commanding prices far higher than other colored varieties.
 

Historically, many sapphires with yellowish-orange or reddish-orange tones were classified as Padparadscha. However, modern gemological standards restrict this designation to stones exhibiting a precise range of "Pinkish Orange" to "Orange-Pink" colors with low to medium saturation. Additionally, true Padparadscha sapphires must display even color distribution and should not have undergone treatments beyond conventional heating.
 

The Padparadscha color range spans from orange-pink to pink-orange; there is no single hue that defines it. Initially exclusive to Sri Lanka, Padparadscha sapphires have also been discovered in Madagascar, Vietnam, and Tanzania in recent years. These stones exhibit the saturation and color quality worthy of the Padparadscha name, expanding the traditional view that Sri Lanka was the sole origin.
 

Often referred to as the "king of sapphires" Padparadscha represents an exceptionally rare and prized sapphire color appreciated worldwide for its beauty and scarcity.

Star Sapphires

Star sapphires, renowned for their captivating asterism, exhibit a diverse spectrum of colors, each possessing distinct optical properties. Asterism in these gemstones is induced by the presence of rutile inclusions, which align in a manner that reflects light to form a star-like pattern when observed under a direct light source.
 

Blue Star Sapphires are the most prominent variety, displaying hues from light to deep blue. The star phenomenon in these sapphires is typically characterized by a white or silver star, enhancing their ethereal appeal. Major sources of blue star sapphires include Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand.
 

Black Star Sapphires possess a more enigmatic allure, with stars ranging from silver to gold against a dark, often opaque background. These sapphires predominantly originate from Thailand and Australia, known for their dramatic and striking visual impact.
 

Pink Star Sapphires range from pale pink to vibrant fuchsia, featuring stars that shimmer exquisitely under illumination. These rare and highly sought-after sapphires are mainly sourced from Sri Lanka and Burma.
 

Yellow Star Sapphires encompass a spectrum from light yellow to rich golden hues. The star effect in these sapphires often appears in white or gold, contributing to a warm and radiant visual effect. Primary sources include Sri Lanka and Thailand.
 

Green Star Sapphires are unique, exhibiting colors from light green to dark forest-like tones. The asterism in green sapphires is more subtle but equally captivating. These gemstones are relatively rare and are usually found in Sri Lanka.

Pastel Sapphires

All sapphires are available in light shades or delicate "Pastel" or "Pale" colors, characterized by low saturation and soft tones. For instance, pastel blue sapphires are sourced from various regions including Sri Lanka, Burma, Kashmir, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Montana (USA). These pastel sapphires have gained popularity in recent years, particularly among younger jewelry enthusiasts.

 

The appeal of pastel sapphires lies in their gentle radiance and luminosity, which impart a "fresh" and "modern" aesthetic to jewelry pieces. Their subtle hues make them versatile for various styles and occasions, adding a soft touch of color that complements contemporary fashion trends. As a result, pastel sapphires are increasingly sought after and appreciated in the jewelry market.

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