Natural Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) Stone in Pakistan

First, make sure it really is Pukhraj

In Pakistan the bigger danger is not glass, it is other yellow stones sold under Pukhraj's name. Citrine and yellow topaz are both regularly passed off as Pukhraj. They are attractive gems, but they are different minerals and cost far less. Real Pukhraj is corundum, 9 on the Mohs scale, the same mineral as Neelam and ruby. Every one of our listings names the mineral plainly.

Ceylon and other origins

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is the most famous source, known for clean, bright lemon to golden stones. Madagascar, parts of East Africa and Southeast Asia also produce yellow sapphire, from pale yellow to deep honey. Origin can move the price, but colour and clarity matter more. If we know where a stone came from, the listing says so.

How to judge a Pukhraj

1. Colour - a vivid, even canary to golden yellow is most valued; very pale or brownish stones are cheaper.
2. Clarity - yellow sapphire is often fairly clean. Inclusions you can see lower the rate, while faint natural silk is normal.
3. Treatment - heating is common and accepted, and unheated stones carry a premium. Beryllium diffusion, which creates strong yellow-orange colour, has to be clearly declared.
4. Cut - good proportions and no dull window in the centre.
5. Size - fine Pukhraj over a few carats is much rarer, so the per-carat rate rises.

The per-carat rate of any listing is its price divided by carat weight.

Testing

Natural yellow sapphire feels cool and heavy for its size and often shows faint silk or colour banding under a loupe. Glass warms quickly and may hold bubbles. Telling sapphire from citrine or topaz with certainty needs proper gem testing, so for an important stone we recommend an independent lab report. Our authenticity page explains our own checks.

Pukhraj and Jupiter

In Vedic astrology Pukhraj is the stone of Jupiter (Brihaspati, or Guru), traditionally worn for wisdom, prosperity, good counsel and harmony in marriage. Custom usually favours a gold setting on the index finger, often put on first on a Thursday, though practices vary. These are beliefs, not guaranteed outcomes; please consult an astrologer you trust about weight and setting.

Care

Pukhraj is very durable. Warm soapy water and a soft brush keep it bright; store it away from diamonds.

Ordering Pukhraj from Authentic Gems

We check every stone before listing it, and what you see is what you receive. Delivery is a flat Rs. 500 by insured, tracked courier: Karachi usually 1 to 2 working days, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other major cities 2 to 4, smaller towns up to about 7. Open the parcel and check the stone before you pay on Cash on Delivery, and return it unused within 7 days if it is not right. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp or use our contact page.