The most common and popular color of sapphire is blue, ranging from light sky blue to deep, velvety blue, often considered the classic or default sapphire color when no other color is specified. While sapphires come in almost every color (except red, which is a ruby), blue is the most prevalent and widely recognized, with rich, medium-toned blue stones being highly prized.
Sapphire is generally known as a blue gemstone but surprisingly it comes in a wide range of colors and quality variations. In general, the more intense and uniform the color is, the more valuable the stone. Sapphires that are not blue are known as fancy sapphires, and may be any color—except red (which is a ruby).
The rarest sapphire color is Padparadscha, a unique and highly prized blend of pink and orange, named after the Sinhalese word for lotus blossom, resembling a sunset or salmon hue. While blue sapphires are most famous, the Padparadscha's distinctive, delicate mix of pink and orange makes it exceptionally rare and valuable, often commanding very high prices.
The value of a natural sapphire, and of a gemstone in general, is measured by the rarity of its occurrence. In terms of popularity and rarity, cornflower blue and royal blue sapphires are given the highest value. The most valuable sapphire is the very rare Padparadscha Sapphire in the colour combination orange-pink.
If rarity is what you're after, padparadscha sapphires are the rarest color variety. However, more common colors can be quite rare, including blue and pink, if they're large and well cut with clarity and color.
The rarest Australian sapphires are often unique Parti Sapphires, especially those with specific zoning like the "Pharaoh's Eye" (blue/green with a yellow "eye"), rare colors such as intense pinks, purples, mauve, or untreated orange/peach, and exceptional large specimens like the famous Stonebridge Sapphire, but generally, any untreated, unique colour-zoned or unusual colour Australian sapphire is highly prized and rare.
According to Vedic astrology, individuals born under Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces should generally avoid wearing Sapphire. It is believed that Shani Dev holds animosity towards individuals of these zodiac signs, hence Sapphire does not yield positive outcomes for them.
There are 4 main things to look for in a high quality sapphire: 1) Excellent color 2) No glaring inclusions 3) A well proportioned cut 4) The price should reflect the carat size.
The most important factor in determining the value of a sapphire is its color. The most valuable sapphires are those with vivid, intense colors, such as deep blue or bright pink. The remaining Cs, i.e., clarity, cut and carat weight will also directly influence the price of a sapphire.
A 1-carat sapphire's price varies wildly, from under $100 for commercial/synthetic stones to $800-$1,200+ per carat for good quality, heated blues, and $4,000 to $10,000+ for fine, untreated, or rare untreated (Kashmir/Burma) stones, with premium untreated sapphires reaching $15,000-$50,000+ per carat, depending heavily on color saturation (royal blue is pricier), clarity, origin (Kashmir/Burma prized), cut, and treatment status (untreated costs significantly more).
The iron-rich Australian sapphires are predom- inantly blue (90%), with some yellow, some green, and a very few parti-colored stones. The rough stones are commonly heat treated in Thailand to remove the silk.
1. Painite - Extremely Rare and Complex Stone. Painite is an exceptionally rare borate mineral renowned for its striking hues and scarcity. Discovered in Myanmar by British gemologist Arthur C.D.
Isaiah 54:11 speaks of a future where Jerusalem's foundations will be laid with sapphires, illustrating God's unwavering covenant with His people. Similarly, in Job 28:6, 16, the sapphire is esteemed as a treasure beyond price, an acknowledgment of divine wisdom's immeasurable value.
Sapphires of darker shades up to a certain level are considered as having the better colour. This is why people say 'the darker the sapphire, the better. But it is very important to understand that only the darker shades close to the pure hue are the better colours.
Scratch Test
Sapphire ranks a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, second only to a diamond, so if it leaves a mark when scratched with a harder substance, you will know it is a fake. You can try this by scratching the stone with a diamond, a key or a coin.
Cut, shape, and size
Sapphires come in just about every shape and size, from traditional shapes like round, princess, and emerald (the shape, not the actual gemstone!) to fashionable styles like marquise, oval, and pear. That being said, round brilliants are one of the most popular choices due to their maximum sparkle.
Despite receiving a controversial reception, Princess Diana's engagement ring draws from deep royal tradition. The design was inspired by a sapphire and diamond brooch that Prince Albert had gifted to Queen Victoria in 1840, which she famously wore on her wedding day—a nod to the "something blue" tradition.
For a $5,000 budget, you can typically get a natural diamond ring with a center stone around 0.75 to 1.0 carat, depending heavily on the stone's quality (cut, color, clarity) and the setting's cost. You could also get a much larger, 3-4 carat lab-grown diamond, or a sizable stone of other gems like sapphires or moissanite, as these alternatives offer more carat weight for the same price.
Gemstones are mentioned in connection with the breastplate of the High Priest of Israel (Book of Exodus, 38:17–20; 39:10–13), the treasure of the King of Tyre (Book of Ezekiel, 28:13), and the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Book of Tobit, 13:16–7, in the Greek text, and more fully, Book of Revelation, 21:18–21).
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) & Madagascar
The quantity and quality of blue sapphires coming from Sri Lanka is only rivaled by new deposits found in Madagascar. The sapphires from Madagascar are in many cases almost indistinguishable against sapphires from Sri Lanka.
Only sapphires that contains an activator mineral like chromium (pink sapphires and rubies) or titanium (green, blue, and purple sapphires) are able to fluoresce.
The best color for a natural blue sapphire is an intense, velvety, deep royal blue. This color of sapphire would be considered AAA quality, the rarest and most valuable. The second best color is a medium rich blue, or AA quality. Any blue sapphires that have a slight gray undertone fit into the A category.
In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens were convinced that blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm. During the Middle Ages, the clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize Heaven, and ordinary folks thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings.
Wearing such a stone can invite the wrath of Saturn and cause problems such as accidents, illnesses, losses, conflicts, depression, and death. To avoid the curse of blue sapphire, one must follow certain rules and precautions before wearing it.
However, Natural Blue Sapphire or Neelam stone is not for everyone. In Vedic astrology, this gemstone is ruled by the planet Saturn or Shani. So, wearing it can bring numerous benefits to those who have strong planetary connections with Saturn. However, Blue Sapphire is not compatible with all zodiac signs.