Pukhraj (Yellow Sapphire) Buying Guide

Colour

Look for an even, bright canary or golden yellow without brown or green tints. Paler lemon stones cost less; strong, saturated yellow costs more. Colour should look the same across the stone, without patches.

Clarity and cut

Good yellow sapphires are often eye-clean, meaning no inclusions are visible without magnification. Oval and cushion cuts are the most common because they keep the most weight from the rough. A well-cut stone sparkles evenly and has no dark 'window' in the middle.

Heated or unheated

Many sapphires are gently heated to improve colour; this is permanent and widely accepted. Unheated stones with fine colour are rarer and priced higher. Beware of yellow topaz or citrine sold as Pukhraj; they look similar but are different minerals. Ask for a report from an independent gem laboratory. It confirms the stone is natural, states its weight in carats and lists any treatment. We can arrange testing for any stone you choose from us.

In India stones are often weighed in ratti: one ratti is roughly 0.9 carat, so a 5-ratti stone is about 4.5 carats.

How Pukhraj is traditionally worn

Pukhraj is linked with Guru (Jupiter) and is traditionally set in gold and worn on the index finger, often first worn on a Thursday. These are traditional beliefs, not proven effects. Many families consult their own astrologer for the stone, weight, finger and day to wear it; we are happy to work to their advice.

Care

Sapphire is very durable. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and store it apart from diamonds, which can scratch it.

Pukhraj (Yellow Sapphire) at Arihant Jewellers

• Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) — Oval
• Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) — Cushion

Questions