Padparadscha sapphires are an incredibly rare gem that recently gained attention when Princess Eugenie of England disclosed that her engagement ring had a padparadscha sapphire encircled by diamonds. Additionally, this stone is tough, scoring a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, slightly below a diamond. Due to the lotus flower’s vividly colored pink petals, which are echoed in the vivid pink-orange of this gemstone, the word “padparadscha” is derived from the Sinhalese word for “lotus flower.”Īlthough the gemstones have also been discovered in Tanzania and Madagascar, padparadscha sapphires are typically discovered in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), where the Sinhalese people have lived for generations. Padparadscha sapphires are a part of the lengthy history of sapphires, which traces the gem’s appeal to the Middle Ages. Padparadscha sapphires are particularly well known for their connotations with creativity, energy, and good health. Given that the padparadscha sapphire is the September birthstone, people with September birthdays may particularly appreciate the diversity of options available. The padparadscha sapphire is a rare, beautiful variation of this gem that has pinkish orange tones instead of the more popular blue. However, this gemstone is truly available in a wide range of colors.

Sapphires are prized for their exquisite blue hue.

Raw padparadscha sapphire