Unheated Padparadscha Sapphire 1.35 (LCP135)

1.35 Carat
Deepest Orange-Pink
Medium Dark 60
Lightly Included

GRADING REPORT LCP135

• Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Padparadscha Sapphire
• Carat: 1.35
• Shape: Long Cushion
• Measures: 9.53x4.62x3.03 (millimeter)
• Color Grade: Excellent
• Tone: MD60
• Color Zoning: None
• Clarity: Lightly Included
• Cutting Grade: Good
  • Brilliancy: 66%
  • Depth: 66%
• Origin: Madagascar
• Treatment: None

Certificate No: ALGT 33749737

Overall Grade: Very Good

Comment: Here is a padparadscha for those who want a strong color in the legendary orange-pink mix. With Medium-dark 60 its tone is as deep as the narrow definitions for a true padparadscha do allow. Surely closer to sunset than lotus flower (the two natural references used since ancient times). Especially rare in untreated sapphire. Extra long cushion shape, obviously following a lengthy rough crystal. As so often in these rarest materials on earth, the cut maximized weight but thankfully did NOT leave a window. The inclusions are dense but small, allowing a 'lightly included' (lens needed). The type and density of those inclusions is typical for Madagascar sapphire and 'no-heat' (would burn away inclusions). Note also, how those inclusions do not hinder luster but in a way enhance it with an extra inner rainbow colored sparkle reflecting from tiny structures. Twenty years ago some suggested to limit the name 'Pad' to sapphire from Sri Lanka but this has long been given up, not only because some origins have produced quality equal to those from the ancient Ceylon but also because such a limitation might have led to an extinction-event in the market since Pads from Sri Lanka have become too rare to count as a full variety. Of course, the purist will prefer a Pad to origin from the little island in the Indian Ocean, be untreated, lens-clean and precision-cut but the allocated budget will have to be generous and search will be extensive. This 1.35 makes good with an exceptionally strong color and its unique shape with a great face-up. In fact, we here have a rare opportunity for a pendant size/shaped Pad with near 10mm length but well under two carats or $10k.