Natural Purple Sapphire Stone in Pakistan

One mineral, many names

Corundum is named by colour. Red corundum is ruby, blue is sapphire, and every other shade, purple included, is called a "fancy" sapphire. Purple stones owe their colour to a blend of the trace elements that make ruby red and sapphire blue. At 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, purple sapphire is ideal for an everyday ring.

The colour range

You will see everything from soft lavender and lilac to deep royal purple and reddish purple. Some stones look a touch bluer in daylight and redder under warm indoor bulbs, and a few show a distinct colour change. Fine material comes from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Madagascar and East Africa.

What sets the price

The best purple sapphires are a vivid, even, medium to medium-dark purple with good transparency; pale or greyish stones cost less. Clarity counts: eye-clean stones fetch more, though a little natural silk or a tiny crystal is normal. A precise cut without a "window" (a see-through patch in the middle) looks far better. Unheated stones usually carry a premium over heated ones, and the per-carat rate climbs with size. Divide any listing's price by its carat weight to compare.

Purple sapphire or amethyst?

People sometimes mix it up with amethyst, which is quartz and much cheaper. Sapphire is harder, denser and more brilliant, and rarely found in large clean pieces. Glass and lab-grown corundum are also sold as purple sapphire: glass warms quickly and may show bubbles, while lab-grown stones can show curved growth lines under magnification. For a significant purchase, independent lab testing is sensible, and our authenticity page explains how we check.

Tradition and belief

As part of the sapphire family, purple sapphire is linked in South Asian astrology with Saturn (Shani) and traditionally worn, in silver or white gold on the middle finger, for calm, spiritual clarity and steady thinking. As with blue Neelam, custom is to consult an astrologer first. These are beliefs, not guaranteed outcomes.

Care

It is very durable. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and store it away from diamonds, which can scratch it.

Ordering from Authentic Gems

We check every stone and photograph it as it is. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 by insured, tracked courier: Karachi usually 1 to 2 working days, Lahore, Islamabad and other major cities 2 to 4, smaller towns up to about 7. Pay Cash on Delivery after you have looked at the stone, and return it unused within 7 days if it is not right.