A bicolour sapphire is a sapphire that displays two distinct colours within a single stone. This characteristic arises from chemical variations during crystallisation. The stone may show sharply defined colour zones or gentle transitions between hues. Every bicolour sapphire is therefore unique. The most sought-after combinations include blue and yellow, pink and orange, or blue and violet.

The colour of a sapphire depends on the trace elements present within its crystal structure. As the crystal grows, these elements can vary, causing the stone to develop zones of differing composition, each producing its own hue. Iron yields yellow, chromium yields pink, and iron combined with titanium yields blue. The layering of these zones is what creates the characteristic bicolour effect.

Several combinations exist among bicolour sapphires. Blue and yellow is one of the most admired for its vivid contrast. Pink and orange recalls the tones of a padparadscha sapphire, without meeting its strict criteria. Blue and violet produces mysterious, deep gradients. Green and blue evokes the nuances of a teal sapphire. More rarely, tricolour sapphires with three distinct hues can also be found.

Bicolour sapphires come primarily from the same sources as other sapphires. Sri Lanka remains the leading origin for the purest and most contrasted stones. Madagascar has established itself as the second major source worldwide, offering a wide variety of combinations. Tanzania and Australia round out the supply. At Bonnot Paris, we source our bicolour sapphires directly through our office in Sri Lanka.

The price of a bicolour sapphire depends on the colour combination, clarity, and degree of contrast between the zones. Expect to pay €500 to €1,500 per carat for average quality (1 carat). Stones with sharply defined and well-contrasted zones reach €2,000 to €5,000 per carat. Exceptional bicolour sapphires with vivid, clearly defined colours can exceed €8,000 per carat. The unique character of each stone has a strong bearing on the final price.

Yes, bicolour sapphires are among the least common varieties on the market. Nature rarely produces such precise and well-defined colour zoning. Most sapphires display a single dominant colour throughout. True bicolour stones with marked contrast account for less than 5% of global production. This rarity explains the growing interest among collectors and admirers of singular gemstones.

Yes — it is a bold and utterly unique choice. A bicolour sapphire offers the same hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale as any other sapphire. It withstands everyday wear perfectly and requires no special protective setting. Its dual hue evokes union, duality and complementarity — a powerful symbol for a marriage proposal. It is also a choice that steps entirely outside the conventional. Since every stone is unique, your ring will be too.

The choice of cut is essential to showcasing a bicolour sapphire. The rectangular emerald cut is particularly effective at highlighting colour zoning. The cushion cut offers a softer, more romantic result. The oval cut brings out the depth of both hues. As for the setting, favour a mount that does not interfere with the reading of the colours. White gold or platinum remain the most neutral choices. Yellow or rose gold creates a chromatic dialogue with the stone.