The uniquely beautiful stone of Padparadscha: unique properties, the real history of the stone, where charming photos are mined

For two thousand years, this gem was mined only on the island of orange sunsets in Sri Lanka. He seemed to absorb these unique colors of the setting sun. Padparadscha is a very rare stone, which is why its price is unthinkably high.

History and origin of the name

Translated from the Sinhala, this word means "Lotus Flower", sometimes the name is translated as "sunrise" or "morning dawn". Looking at this amazingly beautiful stone, one can agree with any of these translations, but the first one is still more correct. Lotus in Sinhala is “padpa”, but “raja” is a prince, that is, a third translation is also possible: “prince of lotuses”.

He was also known in Rus', where he was called "scarlet yakhont". Rubies were called Yakhonts. It was to rubies that this exotic gem was attributed until the end of the 19th century, but it turned out that it was closer to sapphires. Disputes do not stop until now, because the amazing gem broke the scientists of their entire harmonious classification.

Place of Birth

Already in the 20th century, other padparadscha deposits were found. It has been found in Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar. More modest deposits have also been discovered in Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. In Russia, this stone is not found.

It is found in old placers; for the formation of a precious stone, a long alternation of heating and irradiation is necessary.

Interesting: The largest padparadscha gem is kept at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Its weight is 100.18 carats.

Physical Properties

In nature, there are barrel-shaped, bipyramidal, lamellar and prismatic crystals, on the faces of which oblique shading is often present. Padparadscha has glassy luster. The refractive index is 1.77, and the density is from 3.98 to 4.1 g/cm3. Melting point 2050 degrees Celsius. The hardness, like that of other corundums, is about 9, that is, only a diamond can scratch it.

Color needs to be discussed in particular. The fact is that many jewelers insisted that only a stone that has three colors at once: orange, red and pink can be called padparadsey. But there are no more than a dozen such stones in the whole world, so it was decided to soften the requirements and classify all varieties of warm orange sapphires with a pink tint as padparadscha. At the same time, pink sapphires with cold tones mined in Thailand do not fall under this definition.

Padparadscha has a pronounced pleochroism, that is, the ability to change color when the stone is turned, which is why there are unsurpassed overflows of orange, yellow and pinkish tones when considering this unique gem.

All shades of padparadscha can be seen in the photo, but they, of course, are unable to convey all the charm of this stone.

Chemical properties and composition

The chemical formula of padparadscha is nowhere simpler, like all corundums. It is aluminum oxide Al2O3. Chromium impurities, as well as vanadium, iron and titanium give it color.Our color is also affected by defects in the crystal lattice, which are less in padparadscha than in a brightly colored ruby, the color of which is determined by the same chromium.

Padparadscha is quite resistant to acids and alkalis, but still slowly dissolves in them.

How fakes are made

With a very high price, which is ten or more times higher than the price of sapphires and rubies, it is quite natural that they are trying to fake it. There are various ways to get an orange tint from sapphires, but, fortunately, this is too complicated. To do this, saturate corundum with chromium ions.

This is done by heating it to a temperature of 1800 degrees in a hot chromium charge, but this process makes it possible to saturate only a thin layer near the surface with chromium, so the color is uneven and devoid of overflows of pink and orange hues.

More similar to natural stones are obtained in ion accelerators, which, of course, is very expensive, but it pays off taking into account the cost of a jewelry gem.
Finally, there is another way: light sapphires are subjected to hard gamma radiation. Such stones are similar in appearance to padparadscha, but after three days they begin to lose color.

How to recognize a fake

A fake padparadscha can be recognized by its price. If you are offered to buy padparadscha for less than $ 5,000 per carat, then this is definitely a fake. Large stones with bright warm colors can cost up to $50,000 per carat, but large padparadschas are very rare. It is almost impossible to find a stone larger than 2 carats.

An experienced jeweler can recognize a fake, obtained by heating in a chromium environment, by the traces of firing, easily distinguishable under a magnifying glass.In the case of ion implantation at an accelerator, it is more difficult to do this; one has to monitor the color transitions during rotation. For fakes, they are smudged.

magical properties

Padparadscha is credited with the ability to help owners in love affairs, helps to create a strong family in which spouses do not want to go to the left.

This stone helps to find true friends and reliable partners, to do good deeds and achieve ambitious plans. In addition, he will stand in the way of any damage and evil eye, protect the owner from all negative influences from outside.

Medicinal properties

Padparadscha has many medicinal properties.

It is believed that this stone:

• Heals and rejuvenates the body;
• Increases the effectiveness of the drugs and medicinal herbs taken;
• Heals wounds;
• Copes with boils and ulcers;
• Improves sleep;
• Heals joints;
• Relieves problems with the cardiovascular and nervous system;
• Heals from epilepsy;
• Restores male power.

In the latter case, they drink a glass of water at night, in which they put padparadscha for a day. After a month of taking, take a break for a month and repeat the course. For other ailments, you can do the same.

Zodiac signs

Padparadscha can be worn by representatives of any sign of the zodiac, except for Capricorns. To test compatibility with a stone, place it under your pillow overnight. If the stone suits you, then you will have good dreams.

stone care

Padparadscha is fragile, so you need to store it in a box on a soft bedding. Clean the stone with warm water and soap, and then rinse in clean water. For wiping, you need to take a soft cloth.

Padparadscha is not afraid of sunlight and water.

This expensive stone is not available to every fashionista, but those who are lucky enough to buy it will be able to admire its unusual play of shades of the Ceylon sunset for a long time.

Photo of Padparadscha stone