The Colour of a Lotus Blossom
Padparadscha takes its name from the Sinhala word padma raga — the colour of a lotus flower. It is a sapphire with a delicate blend of pink and orange, like a tropical sunset, and it is one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. The finest examples come almost exclusively from Sri Lanka.
Like all sapphires, padparadscha is corundum (hardness 9), but its colour is the result of an unusually precise balance of trace elements. Too much pink and it's a pink sapphire; too much orange and it's an orange sapphire. True padparadscha sits in a narrow, magical middle.
Why It's So Valuable
- Extreme rarity — genuine padparadscha is found in very few places, and Sri Lanka is the classic source.
- Delicate colour balance — only a small fraction of stones achieve the true pink-orange hue.
- Per-carat price — top padparadscha can exceed the price of fine diamonds.
Buyer Beware
Because of its value, padparadscha is frequently imitated or over-treated. Some stones are diffusion-treated to fake the colour. Always insist on a certificate from a respected laboratory (GIA or the NGJA lab) confirming natural origin and colour. Our buyer's guide explains how.
See the Gem Country
The padparadscha story begins in the gravels of Sabaragamuwa. Explore Ratnapura accommodation and our Island of Gems overview.