The lovely padparadscha sapphire is a blend of lotus flower and sunset. Richard Hughes discusses the origin of the term and the difficulty in its definition.
The Ownership of Words – A Presentation on the Meaning of Padparadscha by Lotus Gemology's Richard Hughes
Padparadscha sapphire is a special variety of gem corundum, featuring an often delicate color that is a mixture of red and yellow – a marriage between ruby and yellow sapphire. The question of just what qualifies for the princely kiss of “padparadscha” is a matter of hot debate, even among experts. Padparadscha's original locality was Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and many purists believe the term should be restricted only to stones from Ceylon. However, fine stones have also been found in Vietnam’s Quy Chau district, Tanzania’s Tunduru region, and Madagascar. Stones from these latter three areas are often heat-treated to improve their color, (as are stones from Ceylon). In 2005, the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC) attempted to standardize the definition of padparadscha sapphire, basing their definition largely on that developed by Robert Crowningshield in 1983. Richard Hughes will discuss these definitions, along with those from the ancient literature in an attempt to decode the padparadscha enigma.
When
17 May 2015
Where
ICA Conress
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
Colombo, Sri Lanka