Making sense of padparadscha colors

[mgb11]

I came across a padparadscha that has a GRS report and it says that it is a natural pad of Sri Lankan origin with an "orangy-pink" color. The first photo is the one on the GRS report; okay fine, looks like orangy-pink to me. But another photo of the same pad provided by the seller... looks like there's a significant purple modifier.

GRS report says a Type 3a color stability test was done, which states "Indication of orange and/or yellow component increase was observed. A padparadscha color is visible in both the discharged and charged state (GRS-type “CST 3a”). Post-testing increase of color saturation and/or change of hue by exposure to UV- or sunlight is possible."

Do I trust the GRS report? Do I trust my own eyes? Is the purple simply due to "color saturation or change of hue"? Pads are so annoying to make sense of lol

 

[Avondale]

Always trust your eyes. GRS are known for being liberal with their use of trade names.

Basically what the report says is that the colour of this stone is not stable.

Here you can read more from GRS themselves: https://www.gemresearch.ch/news/2019/12/23/color-stability-test-overview-of-type-classifications

And this is SSEF's article on the subject which in my opinion is a lot better at explaining how the test works and what the results mean: https://www.ssef.ch/colour-stability-of-gems/

 

[Bron357]

I think you need to see it in person and in your particular lighting conditions. The colour in a controlled light situation is not necessarily what you will see when you wear inside at home, inside at the office / shops or out in daylight. Not much point having a “perfect tone/hue/saturation” in an environment you can’t recreate and thus enjoy.

 

[kenny]

There are many reasons to be skeptical of a gem's true hue in pics, whether it's on paper or a screen.

 

[ShinyPink]

I have a few AGL pads. Here are photos of the stone vs cert photo. I bought them based on several photos and videos, inside and outside, so I knew what I was getting. The bottom one, while not certed as a pad, shows the huge difference in the stone vs cert photo.
I would expect the seller's photo to be the more desirable one, since they are almost always the most flattering. I'm surprised it's the other way around here. Ask for more photos and videos, outside in shade and sun, and inside. Then trust your instincts.