Lavender Sapphires: A Guide to These Rare and Stunning Gemstones

Lavender sapphires are some of the rarest and most beautiful gemstones in the world. Their soft purple hue is both elegant and eye-catching. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about lavender sapphires, from how they form to how to buy the perfect lavender sapphire engagement ring.

What Are Lavender Sapphires?

Lavender sapphires are a variety of corundum, the same mineral that makes up rubies. While many people think of sapphires as only coming in blue, they actually occur naturally in a wide array of colors, including pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and more.

The term “lavender sapphire” refers to sapphires with a light purple or lilac color. They range from very light, almost whiteish lavender shades to richer purples verging on violet. Lavender sapphires sit between pink and purple sapphires on the color spectrum. Some key things that characterize lavender sapphires:

• Hue: Light purple, lilac, mauve, or pinkish purple
• Tone: Pastel and desaturated rather than vivid
• Clarity: Often eye clean or very slightly included
• Source: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania

Lavender sapphires are incredibly rare in nature. They make up a tiny fraction of all naturally occurring sapphires. Their delicate color is mesmerizing and comes in many beautiful shades, like lilac, orchid, and thistle.

What Causes the Lavender Color in Sapphires?

The cause of lavender sapphires’ light purple color is trace amounts of iron and titanium within the corundum crystal structure. Different elemental compositions produce all the various colors of sapphire.

For a sapphire to form with a lavender hue, it needs:

• Low levels of iron (Fe3+)
• Very low levels of titanium (Ti4+)
• Minimal color-masking elements like vanadium or chromium

The light interaction between the iron and titanium ions produces the characteristic soft purple tones. This delicate chemistry means lavender sapphires arise rarely in nature. Specific geological conditions must be present for these gems to grow.

Where Do Natural Lavender Sapphires Come From?

Lavender sapphires originate from just a handful of sources worldwide. The most famous include:

Sri Lanka – The stunning lavender sapphires of Sri Lanka have a softly saturated orchid tone. Sapphire mining has a centuries-long history on this island nation.

Madagascar – Madagascar produces lavender sapphires with a pale, pinkish hue. They tend to have very even color distribution.

Tanzania – Tanzanian lavender sapphires display rich purple tones in larger sizes. Smaller gems have a more delicate thistle color.

Montana, USA – The Yogo Gulch mine in Montana intermittently produces rare American lavender sapphires with deep hues.

Thailand -Some low-saturation lavender sapphires come from Kanchanaburi, Thailand. They have a very light color.

Australia – Parts of Australia, like New England, yield a small number of pale lavender stones.

Lavender Sapphire Characteristics

So what should you look for when buying a lavender sapphire? Here are the key qualities that impact value and beauty:

Color

As a colored gemstone, lavender sapphires are all about their delicate purple and pinkish hues. The most prized colors include:

• Orchid – Vibrant light purple
• Lilac – Pinkish lighter tone
• Thistle – Blue-leaning richer purple
• Plum – Deeper, but still soft purple

Even saturation and purity of color is ideal. The hue should be consistent across the stone.

Clarity

Lavender sapphires often form with high clarity. Eye clean stones are frequently found, especially in smaller sizes under 2 carats. Inclusions don’t detract too much from value as long as they aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Cut

Lavender sapphires are cut into all the standard shapes, with round, oval, cushion, and emerald cuts being most popular. The cut should optimize color and sparkle. Well-cut lavender sapphires have excellent light return thanks to their high refractive index.

Carat Weight

Lavender sapphires over 2 carats are exceptionally rare. Most on the market are under 1 carat. Value rises steeply with carat size due to scarcity. Prices range from $50/carat for 0.5 carat to over $3,000/carat for 5+ carats.

Treatments

Lavender sapphires should always be unheated, with no color enhancement. Heating removes their prized natural color. Buy from reputable sellers who disclose all treatments.

Source

Source is key for lavender sapphires. Sri Lankan and Montana stones command the highest prices due to their unmatched quality and prestige. Madagascar and Tanzania also produce top lavender sapphires.

How to Buy Lavender Sapphire Jewelry

Lavender sapphires make one-of-a-kind engagement rings, statement jewelry, and designer pieces. Here are some tips for buying lavender sapphire jewelry:

• Choose platinum or white gold settings to contrast with the purple hue
• Make sure any diamond accents are colorless to not overwhelm the pastel tones
• Look for precision craftsmanship in the setting to fully showcase the rare gem
• Buy from ethical sellers with responsible mining and sourcing practices
• Request a gemological lab report for any stone above 1 carat
• Pick a classic mounting style that won’t appear dated later on
• Consider rose or yellow gold settings for a unique pop of color

Lavender Sapphire Engagement Rings

More couples are proposing with lavender sapphire rings as an alternative to traditional diamond engagement rings. These light purple stones have a dreamy, romantic vibe perfect for celebrating love.

For lavender sapphire engagement rings, we recommend:

• 1 to 2 carat oval or cushion cut center stone
• Halo or micropave diamond accents
• 14K white gold setting with rose gold accent details
• Custom designed setting with nature-inspired embellishments
• High quality diamonds (D-F color, VS2+ clarity)
• Handcrafted by an experienced jeweler

A custom lavender sapphire engagement ring makes a breathtaking symbol of commitment. The unusual gem shows creativity and thoughtfulness in celebrating your unique love.

How to Care for Lavender Sapphire Jewelry

Lavender sapphires rate 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making them quite durable for everyday wear. However, some care is still needed to keep your jewelry safe and sparkling.

To care for lavender sapphire jewelry:

• Store pieces separately in a fabric-lined jewelry box to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Only use soft cloths to clean lavender sapphires, never harsh chemicals or abrasives.
• Remove jewelry before strenuous activity, cleaning products, or high heat to prevent damage.
• Check settings periodically to ensure all prongs and claws are secure.
• Take off lavender sapphire rings before showering, swimming or similar water exposure.
• Consider an ultrasonic cleaning every few years to deeply clean stones and metal.
• Have fittings checked annually by your jeweler to maintain integrity.

With occasional professional cleaning and smart day-to-day care, your lavender sapphire jewelry will last a lifetime. The subtle purple tones will continue delighting for generations to come.

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Q: What is a lavender sapphire?

A: A lavender sapphire is a rare and stunning gemstone that belongs to the sapphire family. It gets its name from its beautiful lavender color, which ranges from pale purple to deep violet.

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Q: How does a lavender sapphire differ from a blue sapphire?

A: While both lavender and blue sapphires belong to the same sapphire family, the main difference lies in their color. Lavender sapphires have a purple hue, whereas blue sapphires have a deep blue color.

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Q: What are some popular cuts for lavender sapphires?

A: Lavender sapphires can be found in various cuts, but some popular ones include pear cut, round cut, cushion cut, and emerald cut. These cuts enhance the beauty of the gemstone and showcase its unique color.

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Q: Are lavender sapphires natural gemstones?

A: Yes, lavender sapphires are natural gemstones that are formed deep within the earth over millions of years. They are not lab-created or synthetic gemstones.

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Q: Can lavender sapphires change color?

A: Some lavender sapphires are known to exhibit color change phenomenon, where the gemstone appears to change color under different lighting conditions. This adds to the uniqueness and allure of the gemstone.

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Q: Are lavender sapphires rare?

A: Yes, lavender sapphires are considered rare gemstones. Their unique color and limited availability make them highly sought after by gem collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

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Q: What are some popular jewelry settings for lavender sapphires?

A: Lavender sapphires are often set in various types of rings, such as halo diamond rings, cluster diamond rings, and solitaire rings. Additionally, they can also be set in necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

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Q: Can lavender sapphires be heated or treated?

A: Some lavender sapphires might undergo heat treatment to enhance their color and clarity. However, unheated lavender sapphires are also available for those who prefer gemstones in their natural state.

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Q: What metals are commonly used in lavender sapphire jewelry?

A: Lavender sapphires are often paired with metals like rose gold, white gold, and platinum. 14k rose gold is a popular choice as it complements the vibrant purple color of the gemstone.

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Q: Can I wear a lavender sapphire ring every day?

A: Yes, lavender sapphire rings are suitable for everyday wear. However, like any piece of fine jewelry, they should be treated with care to maintain their beauty and longevity.

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