Question 1

What is a teal sapphire?

Accepted Answer

Teal sapphire is a trade name for sapphire showing a mix of blue and green, often with the colours visible from different angles because of pleochroism. It is not a formal laboratory grade, so the balance of blue and green varies between sellers. Teal stones come from several deposits, including Australia, Nigeria and Montana, and are usually more affordable than fine blue sapphire.

Question 2

Are fancy sapphires treated?

Accepted Answer

Many fancy sapphires are heated to improve colour or clarity, which is widely accepted when disclosed. Beryllium diffusion is used especially on orange, peach and yellow stones and should always be disclosed because it significantly affects value. Some stones are sold unheated at a premium. Standard gemmological testing cannot always detect beryllium diffusion, so for important stones ask for a report from a lab equipped for it.

Question 3

What is the difference between a peach sapphire and a padparadscha?

Accepted Answer

Padparadscha is a lab-defined colour term for a delicate pinkish-orange to orange-pink sapphire, applied by laboratories such as GRS, SSEF and Gübelin according to their own criteria. Peach is a looser trade name for pastel orange-pink stones that may not meet those criteria. The difference in price can be substantial, so check whether a report actually uses the term padparadscha.

Question 4

Are colour-change sapphires rare?

Accepted Answer

Colour-change sapphires, typically blue or violet in daylight and purple under incandescent light, are found in small sizes from sources such as Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Tanzania. Stones with a strong, distinct change and good clarity in larger sizes are much scarcer. The degree of change varies widely, so video under different light sources is the best way to judge a stone remotely.

Fancy Sapphires