Purple Sapphire

Purple Sapphire Value

Purple sapphires are cherished for their unique beauty, often associated with royalty and luxury. They are considered rare and treasured gemstones. The price of purple sapphires can vary widely, depending on factors like color, texture, and origin. Quality characteristics such as color, clarity, carat weight, and cut influence their value. Ensuring the gemstone is natural and untreated is crucial when making a purchase.

Purple Sapphire Colors

The hue of purple sapphires can vary based on lighting conditions, appearing bluish or reddish. Certain stones may show color zoning with distinct regions of lighter and darker purple. Variations like plum sapphires (darker with hints of red) and violet sapphires (lighter with a blueish-purple hue) exist. The presence of vanadium in the gem's composition gives it the luxurious purple color.

Purple Sapphire Sources

Primary sources include Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, and Myanmar. Each region yields purple sapphires with distinct colors and characteristics. Sri Lankan purple sapphires are known for their pastel-like coloration, often with a pinkish hue. Madagascan purple sapphires tend to have vivid and saturated colors due to trace elements. Tanzanian and Kenyan purple sapphires offer unique shades, ranging from pinkish-purple to bluish-purple. Myanmar purple sapphires exhibit a more violet-purple hue with subtle coloring.

Purple Sapphire Properties

Purple sapphire belongs to the corundum mineral family and has a hexagonal crystal structure. Its varying hues range from pinkish-lilac to deep violet. The stone has a vitreous luster, and it can be transparent to nearly opaque. Purple sapphire's refractive index ranges from 1.76 to 1.77, with a density between 3.99 to 4.1. It lacks cleavage but has an uneven, round, conchoidal, or splintery fracture. The stone is brittle and can break if not handled with care. It fluoresces under UV light, with lilac to purple stones emitting orange to red to blue fluorescence. Some purple sapphires exhibit pleochroism, and others may display asterism or color change. Purple sapphires have a birefringence of 0.008 to 0.009 and a dispersion of 0.018.

Purple Sapphire Care

Cleaning: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or soft cloth with gentle soap and warm water for cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Storage: Store purple sapphires separately in a jewelry box or soft pouch to prevent scratches. Avoid Heat and Chemicals: Protect the gem from exposure to heat, chemicals, hairspray, and perfume. Regular Inspections: Have the stone inspected periodically by a professional jeweler to identify any issues.

Purple sapphires are precious and exquisite gemstones that, with proper care, can maintain their beauty and value for generations. Their rarity and captivating color make them a sought-after choice for jewelry and gemstone enthusiasts.