10 Different Sapphire Colors
When you think of the various precious gemstones, you may categorize them by color—red is ruby, green is emerald, blue is sapphire, and so on. However, color does not make a gemstone. The truth is that gemstones are categorized by their mineral composition, and certain gemstones can come in various colors.
This is the case for sapphires. While many only know the most famous blue sapphires, there are also colorless sapphires, fancy sapphires, and parti sapphires that all display a wealth of colors, touching on nearly every shade in the rainbow. Still, at the same time, they all share enough mineral and elemental composition similarities that they can all be confidently called sapphires.
What You Will Learn
Different Types of Sapphires
The Classic Dark Blue Sapphire
First, let’s start with the fundamental, most recognizable, classic sapphire color: cornflower blue.
When you imagine a perfect sapphire, you’re probably imagining this color of sapphire stones. If you were to look at a sapphire color chart, you’d also probably see that this blue hue takes the top spot for sapphire rarity and value.
However, blue sapphires can come in a range of blue shades and tones. The blue color might be more of a light blue, violet-blue, medium blue, sky blue, blue-green, or even a teal sapphire color.
The Fancy Sapphire
The term “fancy sapphire” applies to any sapphire that cannot be categorized as a blue sapphire. Fancy sapphires encompass the many different colors of sapphires that exist. However, they are not as well known as the classic blue sapphires.
They include:
- Pink sapphires
- Purple sapphires
- Orange sapphires
- Yellow sapphire
- Green sapphires
- White sapphires (or colorless sapphires)
Like blue sapphires, all of the above sapphires can likewise differ in shade and color strength. For example, a purple sapphire can be dark purple, while another has a violet hue. Sometimes, you might have a pinkish purple sapphire that sits somewhere between the two colors or a green sapphire that looks a little more green blue, light green, or olive green than the bright, pure green you might associate with an emerald.
Other Notable Colors of Sapphire
In addition to these straightforward colors, there are also a few stand-out options.
Padparadscha sapphires
Discovered in Sri Lanka, this unique color is basically what would happen if you combined an orange sapphire with a pink sapphire. The resulting pink-orange hue is highly coveted, making padparadscha sapphires one of the most valuable fancy-colored sapphires.
Color changing sapphires
Some sapphires may exhibit multiple colors under different lighting sources. They may appear blue or green in daylight but red, purple, or brown in incandescent light.
Parti colored sapphires
These natural sapphires show off two or more colors at once. These sapphires are relatively uncommon and less in demand than some of the other varieties of sapphires.
What is the Best Sapphire Color?
It depends on what factors you’re using to determine “the best.” Suppose you were to look at a sapphire colors chart. In that case, you might find that specific colors are more desirable due to their rarity. In contrast, others are more desirable due to their superior appearance.
Buy a Classic Blue Sapphire If
You prefer the classic look of a natural blue sapphire’s rich and deep blue hues. Remember that color is one of the most important things to consider when buying a sapphire; the more intense the color, the more you’ll pay.
Buy a Yellow, Pink, or Colorless Sapphire If
You want a fancy sapphire but are also shopping on a budget. These are generally some of the more affordable sapphire colors. Even violet sapphires can be found at reasonable prices if you’d prefer something a little more traditional.
Remember that sapphire color can differ heavily from stone to stone, so if you’re shopping for a yellow sapphire, you can find everything from a yellowish orange to a bright, vivid yellow.
Buy a Padparadscha Sapphire If
You’re looking for a status symbol of a sapphire. This rarest sapphire color, orange-pink, comes with a high price tag but the clout to match. Celebrities and royalties alike have been spotted wearing padparadscha sapphires, including, most recently, Princess Eugenie.
Sapphire Colors FAQs
What are the Rarest Colors of Sapphires?
The rarest sapphire colors are padparadscha and cornflower blue. The former is an orange-pink mix that’s also been described as salmon or sunset. Cornflower blue, meanwhile, is the kind of classic, deep blue color that is most associated with sapphires.
What Blue Sapphires Have the Most Value?
When thinking about sapphire value and cost, it’s not just the overall color you must consider. You also have to think about shade and tone. Regarding blue sapphires, appraisers are looking for rich, velvety blues with medium blue tones and sometimes a touch of violet. Less-valuable sapphires come in lighter or extremely dark blue colors, edging on black.
Are Color-Changing Sapphires Rare?
Yes! Color-changing sapphires are relatively rare. These sapphires change color depending on the lighting. When outdoors, they might be the typical blue or violet you expect from a sapphire. However, when you go indoors, into incandescent light, the sapphire will appear to be more red and a darker purple instead.
What are the Different Colors of Sapphire?
Sapphires come in many different colors and shades beyond the typical blue. You can buy pink, red, orange, yellow, green, purple, or colorless sapphires. You can also purchase color-changing sapphires that appear in different colors depending on the lighting. You can likewise buy sapphires that appear to mix two colors, such as padparadscha sapphires, a blend of pink and orange.
How Much Do Sapphires Cost?
Sapphires can vary in cost, from less than $30 to more than $10,000 per carat. Sapphire cost depends on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight—the four Cs.
Keep Your Sapphires Protected with Specialized Jewelry Insurance
After you’ve decided on and shopped for the perfect sapphire for you, make sure you keep your new jewelry investment protected from life’s little mishaps. The last thing you want is to drop that gorgeous sapphire down the drain while doing the dishes or lose it when it slips off your finger at the ski slopes.
Whether you lose or damage your jewelry, it’s stolen, or it mysteriously disappears, BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage can help. Learn more and get your fast and easy quote today.
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