Why Are Unheated Yellow Sapphires More Valuable?

Not all yellow sapphires are worth investing in. The majority of sapphire in the market is treated. Untreated and original yellow sapphire commands a higher price. These gems also occur in limited quantities. They are highly prized by collectors, investors, and individuals seeking gemstones for Vedic astrology.   

In this blog we will evaluate what are the qualities of these sapphires that make them valuable. This blog also discusses what you should look for while buying natural yellow sapphires. 

What Does "Unheated" Mean in Gemstones? 

“Unheated” means gemstones which are not given any heat treatment. Any gemstone that is unheated is pure and originates directly from the earth crust. Untreated yellow sapphires have an original color.    

Inclusions are common in these gems. Natural yellow sapphire with no inclusions and vivid color are rare and command premium prices. Unheated sapphires are only 5% available in the market. Hence, accounting for higher demand.

Read more in our blog: Heated vs Unheated Gemstones: The Truth Jewellers Don’t Want You to Know    

7 Reasons Unheated Yellow Sapphires Cost More 

Unheated yellow sapphires (Pukhraj) are valuable because of the following reasons:   

• Natural rarity

Most yellow sapphires do not feature vivid golden yellow color and hence they are treated. Heat treatment is one of the gemstone treatments that ensures good color and clarity. These treated sapphires look attractive and are available at a lower price. Unheated sapphires ( Pukhraj stone ) on the other hand are judged by their natural color. They might feature a very enhanced color or a dull color. The natural gemstones that feature vivid color are rarer and valuable.   

• No enhancement

Unheated yellow sapphires have their natural color and clarity. They do not undergo change under high temperature and pressure. The yellow color is due to the presence of iron impurities. The higher the concentration of these impurities, the more bright the color whereas lower amount impurities make them look pale.   

So you see there is a lot of difference between the color range in yellow sapphires. Vividly colored unheated sapphires are highly valuable. On the contrary pale colored unheated sapphires have lower quality.   

• Higher collector demand

With real diamonds getting more expensive and limited in supply the demand has shifted towards colored gemstones especially sapphires. These gems are widely used as engagement and wedding rings. The yellow sapphire engagement ring is a classy alternative to diamond engagement ring.   

Compared to diamond rings they are affordable and introduce a splash of color to your style. High carat weight yellow sapphires are perfect heirlooms as they rank 9 on hardness scale offering exceptional durability that allows them to last for generations.   

• Preferred for Vedic astrology

Unheated Pukhraj is only preferred in vedic astrology. If you want maximum Jupiter benefits then choose unheated sapphires. They carry vibrational energy which is believed to harness the power of Jupiter. Unheated Pukhraj stone in astrology attracts money, business profits and marital peace.   

• Better long-term investment

Unlike treated gemstones, an unheated Yellow Sapphire stone carries natural beauty and clarity. Thus they make a meaningful asset to pass down through generations. Its authenticity, durability, and timeless appeal ensure it remains a treasured possession, whether worn as jewelry or kept as part of a family gemstone collection.   

• Premium auction value

Unheated Pukhraj stones command high auction value if they have good color, origin, high clarity, carat weight and precise cut. These stones are extremely rare and stand out in the high-end gemstone market.

Read More: What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Buying Yellow Sapphire    

• Greater resale potential

Besides, quality certification is also a priority when reselling these stones. If you have an authentic certificate from a recognised laboratory like GIA or IGI then you can resale your sapphire. So, one can say that top notch quality certified untreated yellow sapphire stones are valuable and have greater resale potential.  

How Laboratories Confirm a Yellow Sapphire Is Unheated 

Any yellow sapphire stone cannot be considered valuable until it comes with an ensured essential documentation of it. These documents or reports are given by authentic gemstone laboratories and are an authentication proof that the stone is natural. After the technical analysis of the stone the laboratories document the entire verification in a laboratory certificate.   

A genuine unheated yellow sapphire gemstone certificate thus states “No indication of heating”. You can confirm whether the certificate is real or not by checking the online database.

Read our blog to know more: How To Verify Your Gemological Report? How To Verify My Gemstone Report?    

Is an Unheated Yellow Sapphire Worth the Higher Price? 

How to Buy an Authentic Unheated Yellow Sapphire 

Choose a reputed seller to buy an authentic yellow sapphire stone. This is because every sapphire is not untreated. It is believed that 1 out of 20 sapphires is untreated and this is what makes them rare. Thus, it is a wise decision to check out for a trusted seller like Navratan who provides you with a certified genuine pukhraj stone from recognised laboratories like GIA, Gubelin, GRS and more.