Parti Sapphires are known for their varied and distinct colours within a single stone. The term “Parti” indicates that the gem features zones of different colours, such as blue, green, yellow, and sometimes other hues. The beauty of Parti Sapphires lies in their colour diversity, which creates a fascinating visual effect. Each stone is unique due to its specific colour combinations.
AUSTRALIA
Australia is renowned as one of the leading sources of parti sapphires, particularly from the gem-rich regions of Queensland and New South Wales. The country’s parti sapphires often exhibit a vibrant mix of green and yellow hues, occasionally with hints of blue. The formation of these stones is attributed to the volcanic activity in the area, which created the conditions necessary for sapphires to crystallise with their characteristic colour zoning.
Australian parti sapphires are celebrated for their durability and unique patterns, which make each stone one-of-a-kind. Their popularity has grown steadily, especially as Australia has become known as a reliable source of ethically mined gemstones.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon, is another prominent source of parti sapphires. The island nation has a long history of gemstone mining, dating back over two thousand years. The parti sapphires from Sri Lanka are typically lighter in tone compared to their Australian counterparts, often featuring a delicate blend of blue and yellow or green.
The formation of these gems in Sri Lanka is the result of high-pressure conditions deep within the Earth’s crust, where the mineral-rich environment allowed sapphires to develop their distinct colour zoning. Sri Lankan sapphires are prized for their clarity and the subtle elegance of their colour transitions, making them highly desirable in the global market.
Common Colour Combinations in Parti Sapphires Include:
Blue and Green: A transition between blue and green is common, creating a gradient effect or distinct bands.
Blue and Yellow: Some sapphires show bluish areas with touches of yellow, giving a vibrant and colourful appearance.
Other Combinations: Variations can include shades of purple, orange, or even touches of grey.
The most sought-after parti-color combination typically showcases yellow and green hues, but rare stones displaying blue or purple zones are especially valuable. Aim for a parti sapphire with a medium tone. A darker tone might blur the distinction between the color zones, while a lighter tone can cause the colors to appear faded.
The 4Cs is a system used to classify gemstones, which evaluates the main characteristics of a diamond but can also be adapted for sapphires, including Parti Sapphires. The 4Cs refer to Carat, Cut, Colour, and Clarity. Here’s how these criteria apply to Parti Sapphires.
Cut: The cut refers to how a sapphire has been shaped and polished. A well-executed cut maximises the stone’s brilliance and beauty. For Parti Sapphires, a precise cut is crucial to highlight the different colours within the stone. An appropriate cut enhances how the varied colours interact and are perceived under different lighting.
Colour: Parti Sapphires stand out due to the diverse colours within a single stone. Colours can range from blue to green, yellow, and sometimes other shades. The quality of a Parti Sapphire is judged on the vividness, intensity, and distribution of colours. A stone with rich and well-distributed colour is generally more valuable.
Clarity: The clarity of Parti Sapphires is assessed based on the presence of visible inclusions that could affect their appearance and value. While sapphires may contain inclusions, these are often less noticeable. Higher clarity is generally preferred as it enhances the stone’s clarity and brilliance.
Carat Weight & Size: Weight influences not only the visible size of the stone but also its value. Like all sapphires, Parti Sapphires can vary significantly in weight. Larger stones are generally more valuable, but the quality of the colour and other criteria also play an important role in determining value.
