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Written by Sameer
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Quick answer: A real yellow sapphire (pukhraj) is corundum. At hardness 9 it will scratch glass and quartz, it feels heavy for its size, and under a loupe it usually shows fine silk-like needles. Glass and citrine stand-ins are lighter and softer, and they are either full of bubbles or suspiciously clean. A lab report that says corundum is the final word.
How to identify an original yellow sapphire: a practical guide from Authentic Gems in Karachi for buyers across Pakistan who want to be sure before paying.
Pukhraj is one of the most valuable astrological stones, and because of that it is also one of the most often swapped for something cheaper. These are the checks we use ourselves to confirm a stone is natural sapphire.
| Check | Real yellow sapphire (pukhraj) | Citrine / topaz / glass |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral | Corundum, Mohs 9 | Quartz 7, topaz 8, glass 5–6 |
| Scratch test | Scratches quartz and glass | Cannot scratch a quartz crystal |
| Lustre | Bright, glassy to sub-adamantine | Softer, glassier shine |
| Inclusions | Silk needles, fingerprints | Bubbles (glass) or none |
| Weight for its size | Heavy (SG 4.0) | Lighter (SG 2.65 for quartz) |
| Relative price | Much higher per carat | A small fraction of sapphire |
What a real pukhraj looks like
Natural yellow sapphire is corundum with a hardness of 9. It shows a clear, even yellow to golden colour, good transparency and a bright, glassy shine.
Four checks before you buy
- Colour: an even, natural yellow, neither dull nor suspiciously "perfect".
- Clarity: good transparency, with at most fine natural inclusions. Never gas bubbles.
- Hardness: at 9 Mohs it shrugs off scratches that would mark citrine or glass.
- Lab report: the only certain proof is a gem-lab report, and any stone we sell can be independently tested.
Pukhraj and citrine are not the same
Citrine is an inexpensive yellow quartz often sold as a pukhraj substitute, sometimes under the name sunehla. It is softer (7 against 9) and worth far less. If you want a stone for Jupiter, buy real sapphire. See Yellow Sapphire vs Citrine for the full comparison.
Buying a genuine pukhraj
Every yellow sapphire (pukhraj) we list is natural, checked by hand and open to independent testing, with Cash on Delivery across Pakistan.
Pukhraj in brief
- Also called: yellow sapphire; mineral corundum (aluminium oxide)
- Colour: pale lemon through to rich golden yellow
- Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale
- Main sources: Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Thailand, Madagascar and Tanzania
- Astrology: ruled by Jupiter (Brihaspati); traditionally for Sagittarius and Pisces
Buying pukhraj in Pakistan: what to check
- Get the exact carat weight and origin. Telling real from fake always starts with knowing exactly what is being offered.
- Understand the price drivers: colour (a clean, even golden yellow is valued most), clarity, weight, origin and whether the stone is unheated.
- Make sure it can be tested. An honest seller lets you have the stone checked by a lab; our authenticity page explains how.
- Pay on delivery so you inspect the stone before paying.
- Know how to care for it: very durable; wash with warm soapy water and store it away from diamond and other harder stones that could scratch the polish.
The main points
- Check colour, clarity, weight and treatment together. No single test is enough on its own.
- Buy only a stone sold with its exact weight, origin and treatment stated, and one you are free to have tested.
- Pay on delivery, look at the stone in daylight, and use the 7-day return window if anything does not match the listing.
Common questions
Can I tell a real pukhraj at home?
Partly. Looking for bubbles, feeling the weight and comparing hardness will catch most fakes, but only a gem lab can confirm a natural, untreated stone. Buy from a seller who welcomes testing.
Where can I buy a genuine gemstone in Pakistan?
Authentic Gems sells natural stones with Cash on Delivery across Pakistan and 7-day returns on unused stones. Start with our yellow sapphire (pukhraj) collection.
Should I speak to an astrologer before wearing it?
If you are wearing it for astrological reasons, yes. Our gemstones by zodiac sign guide gives the traditional pairings as a starting point.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are confirmed by phone or WhatsApp and dispatched within one working day. Karachi usually gets its parcel in 1 to 2 working days; Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar usually in 2 to 4; smaller towns in up to about 7. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 per order by insured, tracked courier, and you pay the rider after opening the parcel and checking the stone.
How we can help
Not sure what you are looking at? Send us a daylight photo on WhatsApp, of our stone or a listing you found somewhere else, and we will tell you honestly what it looks like and what to ask the seller. If you buy from us, every piece comes with its exact carat weight, can be tested independently and can be inspected before you pay. If not, you still get a straight answer.
More reading
- How to Identify Original Ruby (Yaqoot): 5 Simple Checks
- Yellow Sapphire Benefits (Pukhraj) & Who Should Wear It
- Real vs Fake Feroza (Turquoise): How to Tell
- Gemstone Buying Guide Pakistan: Prices, Certification & Tips
Keep going with pukhraj: see every yellow sapphire (pukhraj) we have, read pukhraj benefits and who wears it, come back to how to identify an original yellow sapphire, or find your stone by zodiac sign.
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