What do you think about this pad?

[elle_71125]

I saw this for sale and I’m wondering what you guys think of this pad’s color. I tend to go for the super saturated pads (which explains why I don’t have one...so expensive) but this one seems to pop in a cool way.

PS. If you recognize the vendor, please don’t add it to this thread yet.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Not an expert , but my first reaction was WOWl. This glows!!

 

[Rfisher]

I love it from what I see here!

 

[LD]

It's a very pretty stone but has it got a lab report confirming it's a Pad? The definition of a pad is that it should be pastel (ie low to medium saturation) and this looks a little bit too saturated to be that - although I know it's your preference. So I guess this depends on whether the $ is for a Pad and whether the lab confirms it as one OR are you just in love with the stone and happy to pay the asking price? If yes, then go for it!

It's interesting because some Pads in museums are highly saturated and I think some would argue their classification. Certainly over the years, there have been numerous debates in the forum about what a pad should look like. It's not a precise science because it's based on colour and we all see things differently. I thought you might be interested to see two interesting definitions of a Pad:

It is clear that the term padparadscha was applied initially to fancy sapphires of a range of colors in stones found in what is now Sri Lanka. If the term is to have merit today, it will have to be limited to those colors historically attributed to padparadscha and found as typical colors in Sri Lanka. It is the GIA’s opinion that this color range should be limited to light to medium tones of pinkish orange to orange-pink hues. Lacking delicacy, the dark brownish orange or even medium brownish orange tones of corundum from East Africa would not qualify under this definition. Deep orangy red sapphires, likewise, would not qualify as fitting the term padparadscha.

– Robert Crowningshield, 1983

and

The core of the LMHC padparadscha definition at the time of writing (2013) is as follows:

Padparadscha sapphire is a variety of corundum from any geographical origin whose colour is a subtle mixture of pinkish orange to orangey pink with pastel tones and low to medium saturations when viewed in standard daylight.

The name 'padparadscha sapphire' shall not be applied in the following cases:
– If the stone has any colour modifier other than pink or orange.
– If the stone has major uneven colour distribution when viewed with the unaided eye and the table up +/- 30°.
– The presence of yellow or orange epigenetic material in fissure(s) affecting the overall colour of the stone.
– If the stone has been treated as described in Information Sheets #2 and #3.
– If the stone has been treated by irradiation.
– If the stone has been dyed, coated, painted, varnished or sputtered.

Richard W. Hughes (extract from Padparadscha Sapphire & The Ownership of Words)

 

[Ionysis]

Lovely!

 

[elle_71125]

It's a very pretty stone but has it got a lab report confirming it's a Pad? The definition of a pad is that it should be pastel (ie low to medium saturation) and this looks a little bit too saturated to be that - although I know it's your preference. So I guess this depends on whether the $ is for a Pad and whether the lab confirms it as one OR are you just in love with the stone and happy to pay the asking price? If yes, then go for it!

It's interesting because some Pads in museums are highly saturated and I think some would argue their classification. Certainly over the years, there have been numerous debates in the forum about what a pad should look like. It's not a precise science because it's based on colour and we all see things differently. I thought you might be interested to see two interesting definitions of a Pad:

It is clear that the term padparadscha was applied initially to fancy sapphires of a range of colors in stones found in what is now Sri Lanka. If the term is to have merit today, it will have to be limited to those colors historically attributed to padparadscha and found as typical colors in Sri Lanka. It is the GIA’s opinion that this color range should be limited to light to medium tones of pinkish orange to orange-pink hues. Lacking delicacy, the dark brownish orange or even medium brownish orange tones of corundum from East Africa would not qualify under this definition. Deep orangy red sapphires, likewise, would not qualify as fitting the term padparadscha.

– Robert Crowningshield, 1983

and

The core of the LMHC padparadscha definition at the time of writing (2013) is as follows:

Padparadscha sapphire is a variety of corundum from any geographical origin whose colour is a subtle mixture of pinkish orange to orangey pink with pastel tones and low to medium saturations when viewed in standard daylight.

The name 'padparadscha sapphire' shall not be applied in the following cases:
– If the stone has any colour modifier other than pink or orange.
– If the stone has major uneven colour distribution when viewed with the unaided eye and the table up +/- 30°.
– The presence of yellow or orange epigenetic material in fissure(s) affecting the overall colour of the stone.
– If the stone has been treated as described in Information Sheets #2 and #3.
– If the stone has been treated by irradiation.
– If the stone has been dyed, coated, painted, varnished or sputtered.

Richard W. Hughes (extract from Padparadscha Sapphire & The Ownership of Words)

It‘s funny that what I love in a pad wouldn’t even be considered a pad by those standards. The seller did indicate there are yellowish inclusions, which I’m not familiar with. Perhaps that is epigenetic material noted in your post.

Just because I love to share, here’s my all time favorite pad. Sold years ago.

 

[FinewaterGems]

It's a very pretty stone but has it got a lab report confirming it's a Pad? The definition of a pad is that it should be pastel (ie low to medium saturation) and this looks a little bit too saturated to be that - although I know it's your preference. So I guess this depends on whether the $ is for a Pad and whether the lab confirms it as one OR are you just in love with the stone and happy to pay the asking price? If yes, then go for it!

It's interesting because some Pads in museums are highly saturated and I think some would argue their classification. Certainly over the years, there have been numerous debates in the forum about what a pad should look like. It's not a precise science because it's based on colour and we all see things differently. I thought you might be interested to see two interesting definitions of a Pad:

It is clear that the term padparadscha was applied initially to fancy sapphires of a range of colors in stones found in what is now Sri Lanka. If the term is to have merit today, it will have to be limited to those colors historically attributed to padparadscha and found as typical colors in Sri Lanka. It is the GIA’s opinion that this color range should be limited to light to medium tones of pinkish orange to orange-pink hues. Lacking delicacy, the dark brownish orange or even medium brownish orange tones of corundum from East Africa would not qualify under this definition. Deep orangy red sapphires, likewise, would not qualify as fitting the term padparadscha.

– Robert Crowningshield, 1983

and

The core of the LMHC padparadscha definition at the time of writing (2013) is as follows:

Padparadscha sapphire is a variety of corundum from any geographical origin whose colour is a subtle mixture of pinkish orange to orangey pink with pastel tones and low to medium saturations when viewed in standard daylight.

The name 'padparadscha sapphire' shall not be applied in the following cases:
– If the stone has any colour modifier other than pink or orange.
– If the stone has major uneven colour distribution when viewed with the unaided eye and the table up +/- 30°.
– The presence of yellow or orange epigenetic material in fissure(s) affecting the overall colour of the stone.
– If the stone has been treated as described in Information Sheets #2 and #3.
– If the stone has been treated by irradiation.
– If the stone has been dyed, coated, painted, varnished or sputtered.

Richard W. Hughes (extract from Padparadscha Sapphire & The Ownership of Words)

Richard W. Hughes reiterates the LMHC padpadrascha definition in that article, but also says in the next paragraph:

I believe most of these criteria are reasonable. You want the color to be from the stone itself, not a stain in a fissure; similarly, you don't want the stone to be irradiated, dyed or coated.

However where I differ is in the realm of tone and saturation. I do believe that padparadschas can and do have saturations that go well beyond "low to medium." Indeed, the finest (and most expensive) padparadschas I have seen are richly saturated. If they were diamonds, they would certainly be described as vivid.

 

[kimberlyqkim]

No expert here, but that color is stunning!!!

 

[JackTrick]

Love, love, love that stone. For me it's a wonderful middle ground between the super pastel and the more saturated. Also a great pink/orange combo. Please buy it, so I don't

 

[minousbijoux]

The only word of caution I have is for you to note that the saturation and hue settings are skewing pinkish orange in the photos - whether they've adjusted the color to enhance these tones or whether the photos were taken in very warm light that cast everything in a pinkish hue, just keep in mind that the stone may likely be less pinkish/saturated in hand.

That said, I love the photos of it!

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Super pretty color! I love it.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Awesome.
I would loooove to be able to afford a pad like that someday.
*I love all the hues of pads but I love this saturation and up the best.

 

[LD]

Richard W. Hughes reiterates the LMHC padpadrascha definition in that article, but also says in the next paragraph:

I believe most of these criteria are reasonable. You want the color to be from the stone itself, not a stain in a fissure; similarly, you don't want the stone to be irradiated, dyed or coated.

However where I differ is in the realm of tone and saturation. I do believe that padparadschas can and do have saturations that go well beyond "low to medium." Indeed, the finest (and most expensive) padparadschas I have seen are richly saturated. If they were diamonds, they would certainly be described as vivid.

Totally agree and there are some examples in his document of very saturated (and beautiful gemstones) that have been classified as Pads - I think prior to the LMHC classification. My point is that the only guidance is as I quoted from the two sources. Anything else is up to interpretation. If you note, I also said to the OP that if this has been classified as a Pad and the $ match and she's happy then go for it. However, if the lab report does not report it as a Pad then the $ selling price should be lower. I try not to get involved in what is/what isn't a Pad because it's so subjective and arguments abound as to what should/shouldn't be classified.

 

[fredflintstone]

Look like a Pad to me

 

[elle_71125]

The only word of caution I have is for you to note that the saturation and hue settings are skewing pinkish orange in the photos - whether they've adjusted the color to enhance these tones or whether the photos were taken in very warm light that cast everything in a pinkish hue, just keep in mind that the stone may likely be less pinkish/saturated in hand.

That said, I love the photos of it!

Thank you. That’s actually very helpful advice. I wouldn’t want something without the pinker tones.

 

[elle_71125]

I just cut the warmth back drastically to see how it would look in cooler lighting.

 

[icy_jade]

Can you get more pics/video that is not filtered/enhanced? I think the stone is likely to be less saturated looking irl. Also it looks like it may have half-half extinction, which is fine if you are ok with that.

 

[elle_71125]

Can you get more pics/video that is not filtered/enhanced? I think the stone is likely to be less saturated looking irl. Also it looks like it may have half-half extinction, which is fine if you are ok with that.

The photos I shared were screenshots from the vendor’s video.
Here’s a link to the vendors Instagram story: LINK

I‘m not actively looking for a pad right now...I just thought this one was really pretty.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Yes get a video and check it for colour and a potential bow tie in the stone. I guess ask if the video can allow you to view the stone vertically and horizontally orientated.

It has a lab report and is unheated right?

 

[icy_jade]

The photos I shared were screenshots from the vendor’s video.
Here’s a link to the vendors Instagram story: LINK

I‘m not actively looking for a pad right now...I just thought this one was really pretty.

She can get you a decent cert - hk has quite a few labs and I think if it certifies as pad is worth considering. It does look quite nice imo.

 

[LD]

@elle_71125 possibly a silly suggestion and you may have already done this, but if this seller is well known to the forum, it may be worth seeing how previous stones have compared to the selling images.

After a break from all things gem/jewellery for a couple of years, I was surprised when I looked at Instagram recently to see the number of sellers who seem to have the most vivid/saturated gemstones that a few years ago would have been more difficult to find. I'm not sure if this is because newer phones are changing how gemstones look OR whether some sellers are just becoming more adapt at making gemstones look better OR if there are indeed more lovely gemstones on the market!

 

[elle_71125]

@elle_71125 possibly a silly suggestion and you may have already done this, but if this seller is well known to the forum, it may be worth seeing how previous stones have compared to the selling images.

After a break from all things gem/jewellery for a couple of years, I was surprised when I looked at Instagram recently to see the number of sellers who seem to have the most vivid/saturated gemstones that a few years ago would have been more difficult to find. I'm not sure if this is because newer phones are changing how gemstones look OR whether some sellers are just becoming more adapt at making gemstones look better OR if there are indeed more lovely gemstones on the market!

I surely doubt that there are more beautifully saturated gems on the market. I’ve seen so many gems on Instagram that you just know will look nothing like that in real life. Personally, I’ve never understood that concept because you may get someone to buy from you once but they won’t be coming back for more.

It’s nice to see you back in action btw.

 

[LD]

I surely doubt that there are more beautifully saturated gems on the market. I’ve seen so many gems on Instagram that you just know will look nothing like that in real life. Personally, I’ve never understood that concept because you may get someone to buy from you once but they won’t be coming back for more.

It’s nice to see you back in action btw.

Thank you - that's very kind of you to say.

Yes I agree. I bought from an Instagram vendor with horrific results. I'd have been better burning the money in my garden! Live and learn!

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

With any orange toned sapphires, be sure to have the stone checked for beryllium diffusion (at a major lab like AGL or GIA). The stone may still be beautiful, but it greatly affects the value.

 

[elle_71125]

With any orange toned sapphires, be sure to have the stone checked for beryllium diffusion (at a major lab like AGL or GIA). The stone may still be beautiful, but it greatly affects the value.

Thank you. I'll have to look into that.

The seller did indicate that it has yellowish inclusions. I've never heard of that before. I can't say that's related to Beryllium diffusion but it certainly is something I'd want to figure out.