Blue sapphire is colored by iron and titanium. The most common color shift is from blue (daylight) to bluish-purple (incandescent light), but various other color combinations are possible. Color Change Sapphire Gemological Propertiesīuying Color Change Sapphire and Determining Color Change Sapphire Gemstone Value Back to Top Color Change Sapphire Colorįancy color change sapphire changes hue based on the source of light.Natural daylight is well-balanced, which is why color change sapphire is best viewed under natural daylight. Fluorescent light is rich in blue, whereas incandescent is rich in red. For example, a red gemstone appears red because it absorbs all frequencies of light except for red, but a gemstone that absorbs all frequencies of light except for blue and red appears blue when the light is rich in blue wavelengths, and red when the light source is rich in red wavelengths. The unique and rare ability to color change occurs only in rare sapphire that forms with two light transmission windows rather than one. In order to truly appreciate color change sapphire, specimens should be observed under different lighting conditions, including early morning daylight, late afternoon daylight, fluorescent light and incandescent light. Fine top grade color change sapphire can exhibit quite a noticeable and dramatic color change, but most material will only partially shift from blue to bluish-purple.

Typically, most color change sapphire shifts from blue under natural daylight to a violet-purple under incandescent light.

Although blue is the most common color, color change sapphire can occur in a range of other colors, including greenish, yellowish, pinkish and violet-purple, depending on the coloring agents within the specific stone. About Color Change Sapphire - History and IntroductionĬolor change sapphire is an exceptionally rare, fancy variety of corundum which exhibits the unique ability to change color when viewed under different light sources.

Light blue sapphire ring