Identifying a real Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) can be challenging without professional tools, but you can perform several simple tests at home to help determine its authenticity. Here are some methods you can try:
1. Visual Inspection
- Color: Genuine Yellow Sapphires have a vibrant, consistent yellow hue. The color should be even and not show signs of zoning or color concentration in specific areas.
- Clarity: While natural Yellow Sapphires may have some inclusions, they should not be overly cloudy. Look for a stone that is relatively clear with minimal inclusions.
- Luster: A real Yellow Sapphire should have a bright, glassy luster and should sparkle under light.
2. Touch and Temperature Test
- Cool to Touch: Real gemstones, including Yellow Sapphires, are typically cool to the touch and take a while to warm up in your hand.
3. Density and Weight
- Heaviness: Sapphires are relatively dense stones. A real Yellow Sapphire will feel heavier than a fake or glass imitation of the same size.
4. Hardness Test
- Scratch Test: Yellow Sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Use a piece of glass or a steel knife (which are less hard) to try and scratch an inconspicuous part of the stone. A real Sapphire should not scratch easily.
5. Transparency
- Light Test: Hold the stone up to a light source. A genuine Yellow Sapphire should allow light to pass through, showing brilliance and sparkle. However, it should not be completely transparent like glass; there should be some resistance to light.
6. Magnification
- Inclusions: Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to inspect the stone. Natural inclusions (such as tiny cracks or mineral deposits) are common in real Yellow Sapphires. These inclusions should look natural and not like air bubbles (which are common in synthetic stones).
7. Fluorescence
- UV Light Test: Some Yellow Sapphires may fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV) light. Shine a UV light on the stone in a dark room to see if there is any glowing effect. This isn’t definitive but can be an additional check.
8. Refractive Index Test
- Penlight Test: Shine a small penlight through the gemstone. Look for a double image of the back facets when viewed from the top. This indicates a high refractive index, a characteristic of sapphires.
9. Heat Test
- Heat Resistance: Apply a moderate amount of heat to the stone using a lighter or match for a short time. Real sapphires can withstand heat, but imitations like glass may crack or change color.
10. Consultation and Certification
- Expert Consultation: While home tests can provide some indications, the most reliable way to confirm the authenticity of a Yellow Sapphire is by consulting a certified gemologist or getting the stone tested at a reputable gem lab.
- Certification: Always ask for a gemstone certificate from a recognized authority when purchasing a Yellow Sapphire. This certificate verifies the authenticity and quality of the stone.
Conclusion
By performing these tests, you can gain confidence in the authenticity of your Yellow Sapphire. However, for the most accurate results, seek professional evaluation and certification. This ensures that you have a genuine and high-quality gemstone.
Even better you can buy the stone from a reputable seller. You can buy high quality Yellow sapphire gemstone (Pukhraj nag ) at affordable prices from Vedic Crystals
For more information about Vedic Crystals and our range of gemstones and rudraksha beads, visit Vedic Crystals website or contact us at contactus@vediccrystals.com/ +91-9811809967 (Whatsapp).
Also if you found this article useful , please share it with someone who might need it.
Moreover, in case you want a additional 5% discount coupon on our entire range of gemstones and Rudraksha : Please comment "Interested" below.