JNA Nov/ Dec 2020

MARKET INTELLIGENCE 46 | JNA Nov/Dec 2020 origins. According to Nagpal, Padparadscha’s variety of shades attracts a wide range of audience. Unheated stones from Madagascar and Tanzania can sometimes be more saturated while unheated gems from Sri Lanka regularly exhibit lighter, pastel hues. “It all comes down to a customer’s preference,” noted Nagpal. Omi Privé offers an expansive array of Padparadscha sapphire rings, including one that boasts a 20.03-carat oval centre stone. Glowing opportunities The global market for Padparadscha sapphires is poised for stronger growth, thanks to the unwavering appetite for top-quality stones. Demand for Padparadscha sapphires has been sturdy over the last 30 years and this is expected to grow even more. Sammoon said today’s customers are looking for gems that they are attracted to, and in the future, geography and origin may no longer play such a vital role in sourcing gems. With the younger generation continuously looking to express their individuality with unique coloured gems, today’s modern consumers are enjoying the many different shades of Padparadscha. Depending on their budget, consumers can buy stones according to their preference. Larson said opportunities abound for jewellers to further enrich their inventory by adding Padparadscha sapphires to set them apart from the competition. Tennakoon also pointed to growth potential for the Padparadscha sapphire market, especially in the bridal jewellery segment. Padparadscha sapphires often come in ovals and cushions to maximise the size while rounds and octagons are rarer and usually fetch higher prices, revealed Tennakoon. “Top-grade Padparadscha sapphires are hard to come by. When mined, they soon find their way to a high jeweller, collector or auction house,” added Cader. Aurora jewels A Padparadscha sapphire’s delicate, lotus-pink hue lends itself well to a plethora of designs. After receiving royal approval, it has been featured by prominent jewellery brands, most recently by Gübelin Jewellery in its Aurora collection. Unveiled in October 2019, it was inspired by the inner world of Padparadscha sapphires. Thomas Prantl, executive vice president of Jewellery at Gübelin Jewellery, said the collection helped broaden consumer interest in the gemstone. He expects sustained appetite for rare coloured gems, especially as Padparadscha sapphires gather more steam. Prantl also revealed slightly varying colour preferences in different regions. He remarked, “Japanese buyers often prefer light-coloured stones in subtle shades of pink while in the US, the term Padparadscha is often associated with more saturated and orangey hues. Europeans appreciate a combination of both.” Niveet Nagpal, president and designer of Omi Privé, is a huge fan of Padparadscha sapphires and regularly features them in the company’s collections. The jeweller sources the finest Padparadscha sapphires from multiple Earrings in platinum and 18-karat rose gold with 5.44 carats of Padparadscha sapphires and fancy sapphire and round diamond accents by Omi Privé Omi Privé 的 18K 金和鉑金耳環，綴上 5.44 克拉帕帕拉夏剛玉、彩色剛玉和鑽石 A 5.01-carat cushion-shaped Padparadscha sapphire from Madagascar by Omi Privé 的 5.01 克拉枕型馬達加斯加帕帕拉夏剛玉 A 6.02-carat oval-shaped Padparadscha sapphire from Sri Lanka by Pala International 的 6.02 克拉橢圓形斯里蘭卡帕帕拉夏剛玉