By Navneet Agarwal, Navneet Gems & Minerals
The corundum family of gemstones rarely fails to impress. Parti sapphires, also known as polychrome sapphires, show more than one color in a single stone. The most common bi-color combination is yellow and green. Rarer stones that show blue, purple, or lavender colors, or tri-color combinations, are especially prized. Recent gemstone trends could make engagement rings featuring this intriguing variety of sapphire the number one score this wedding season!
Sources and Varieties of Parti Sapphires
Australia, Kenya, and the U.S. state of Montana are the primary sources of parti sapphires. However, sapphire mines all over the world produce small amounts of these gems.
The Montana parti sapphire was the first to be isolated and classified differently from teal sapphire, which can show blends of green, blue, yellow, and gray rather than zones. Montana parti sapphires are known for their dramatic colors. Due to predominantly mechanized mining operations, Australia is the most abundant source of parti sapphires on the market today.Although the gemstone and jewelry community has taken great strides in sourcing materials more ethically, you should still insist on purchasing parti sapphires only with documentation.Gemologists can identify the likely source of a parti sapphire based on its coloration. All sapphires are allochromatic.
This means they get their color from impurities in their chemical composition. The presence of trace elements such as titanium, vanadium, iron, and chromium can impart specific shades of color to parti sapphires. Since every region has a specific chemical makeup, colors may help indicate a stone's source.
Are Parti Sapphires Considered Teal Sapphires?
Parti and teal sapphires occur in some of the same sources, notably Australia and Montana. They can both show green, yellow, and blue colors, too. As a result, people sometimes confuse them. In particular, mermaid sapphires, teal sapphires with a 50-50 ratio of blue and green colors, are frequently confused with a range of bi-colored gemstones. Of course, partis and teals are both varieties of sapphires. However, the colors of a teal sapphire blend together. In contrast, the colors of a parti sapphire don't merge. They stay separated by a distinct partition, hence the name "parti." This is known as color zoning. In parti sapphires, the individuality of their colors are maintained without getting lost in each other.
What are the Best Colors for Parti Sapphires?
Color plays the most important role in the value of any sapphire. Parti sapphires are no exception. The most popular parti-color combination features yellow and green hues, but rare gems featuring blue or purple zones are highly prized.
Look for a parti sapphire with a medium tone. A darker tone may make the distinct partition between the color zones imperceptible, while a lighter tone will wash out the colors. A parti sapphire with a vivid, intense saturation will command a higher price.
- Medium tone, vivid saturation
- Dark tone, dull, grayish saturation
- Light tone, weak saturation
Tips for Buying a Parti Sapphire
- Pick a gemstone with the partition placed clearly in the center.
- A gemstone with a blue, violet, or lavender zone will hold more value than one with the more common yellow and green zones.
- Tri-color parti sapphires are very rare and, thus, priced marginally higher than bi-colors.
- Don't shy away from picking a parti sapphire with an unusual fancy cut. It might be a truly unique stone!
Consult this buying guide for more information.
Conclusion
Parti sapphires will receive a lot of exposure in 2021. These gems will make stunning center stones for any jewelry design. They're perfect for anyone looking for a unique yet modestly priced sapphire engagement ring.
Written by: Parti Sapphires: the Colored Gemstones for 2021 - Gem Society