Have you ever held a Neelam stone in your palm and asked yourself - is this real?
That very question, apparently small, carries massive significance. Because when you are dealing with gemstones, particularly one as powerful and mysterious as Neelam stone (Blue Sapphire), the question of authenticity isn't actually a matter of value; it's about energy, faith, transformation, and peace of mind.
In India, we don't merely wear gemstones; we believe in them. They are our companions in our ups and downs, and the right one could potentially be life-changing. But for the Neelam stone to work its magic, it has to be real. So, the question arises: how do you distinguish between an original Blue Sapphire and a copy one?
Let's find out, step by step.
Why Identifying Original Neelam stone is Important
Blue Sapphire is not your regular gemstone. It is associated with Saturn (Shani) in Vedic astrology; a planet famous for putting one's patience to the test, checking karma, and bestowing good fortune on those who walk the path of truth and self-discipline. If the stone is authentic and suitable for you, it can bring unimaginable success, stability, and protection into your life. But if it's counterfeit, not only is it ineffective, it may even draw negative energy your way.
That is why finding the authentic Neelam stone is not just about preventing fraud. It's about having respect for the spiritual value of what you adorn yourself with, and making sure that you only bring in what's good and pure into your life.
Must Read: Blue Sapphire Benefits: Why Neelam is Saturn’s Most Powerful Gift
Key Differences - Original vs Duplicate Blue Sapphire
Let's move on to the indications and procedures that enable you to identify the authentic from the counterfeit.
1. Colour and Transparency Test
Natural Blue Sapphires tend to exhibit colour zoning; soft gradations of blue through the stone, not a flat single colour. You can see lighter and darker patches when you hold it in front of light. This is a positive sign and usually indicates that the stone is natural.
Fake Neelam stones are commonly made from glass or synthetic materials. They will usually appear unnaturally clean. Their colour may be flat, overly bright and colour saturation through the stone is usually very even. Sometimes, the blue colour could seem artificial, or slightly neon!
If the colour appears too uniform and lacks any natural variation or depth, it may be a sign that the stone is not genuine. Remember, nature adds character through imperfections, not perfection.
2. Surface and Inclusions
In gemstones, flaws are a guarantee of authenticity.
Natural Neelams tend to contain natural inclusions such as thin lines, needle-like inclusions, or minute specks of minerals. They are created deep within the earth and are referred to as silk, rutile needles, or crystals. If your gem is flawless even under a microscope, then it could be man-made.
Imitations, particularly glass-filled, tend to contain bubbles or appear artificially smooth. They are hollow inside, similar to feeling a blue marble, not a holy gem.
3. Hardness and Scratch Test (Mohs Scale 9)
Sapphires are very hard, only slightly less than diamonds. On the Mohs scale of hardness, Blue Sapphire is an unshakeable 9 out of 10. That means, a genuine Neelam won't scratch easily.
You can attempt to scratch it (carefully) with a coin, knife, or even another mineral that is lower on the scale of hardness. If scratches show up easily, it's probably fake.
Clearly, don't do this too much at home, particularly on a polished gem. But knowing that it shouldn't scratch so easily is a pretty good indicator.
4. Reflection of Light and Luster
Here's a quick home trick: shine a torch or mobile phone flashlight on the Neelam stone.
A genuine sapphire will only reflect blue light, without having a rainbow effect. The light must be concentrated and sharp. If you notice several colours, it could be glass or chemically treated synthetic sapphire.
A counterfeit stone tends to have a mirror-like shine, but won't have the depth you sense in a natural gemstone.
5. Weight and Density
This is an unfamiliar but useful test.
Place the stone in your hand. An authentic Neelam stone is heavier than a replica of the same weight. Real sapphires are heavy and have a weight that is earthy. Counterfeits, particularly ones made of plastic or cheap glass, weigh much less and feel hollow.
This test is best if you have held both a real and a replica stone to compare. Or else, get your jeweller to let you experience the difference.
Common Tricks Used in Fake Neelam Stone
Now let’s lift the curtain on what the market sometimes does to mislead buyers.
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Glass-Filled Sapphires
One of the most common tricks involves low-grade sapphires that are treated with glass to fill cracks and enhance clarity. They look impressive at first glance - clean, shiny, and deep blue, but under magnification, you will see:
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Bubbles
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Web-like patterns
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Flow marks
These are chemically treated, and although they might have some worth as a piece of jewellery, they lack the astrological or spiritual energy of an untreated, natural Neelam.
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Synthetic Sapphires
They are manufactured in laboratories through processes such as flame fusion or the Verneuil method. They appear almost flawless and tend to go unnoticed as fakes to the average person.
But they do not have:
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Natural inclusions
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Earth-formed crystal structures
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Energetic resonance
For astrological use, synthetic sapphires are utterly useless.
How to Test Neelam in the Home
In case you are not sure what your stone is, try these simple, non-scientific tests at home:
1. Water Test
Put the stone in a glass of water and watch:
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A genuine Neelam stone will hold its clarity and colour while inside the water.
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The surface tension will be greater, which means the water droplets may stay on a bit longer before running off, once you take the stone out.
Underwater, a fake stone may appear less lusturous, and the water may seep through tiny pores in fakes made of glass.
Note: This test isn’t foolproof but offers basic insight.
2. Test of Magnification
Use a 10x jeweller's loupe or a magnifying glass.
Inspect for:
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Natural inclusions such as rutile needles or mineral crystals in a natural Blue Sapphire.
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Bubbles or milky patches in glass or synthetic sapphires.
Remember, perfection under magnification is not a good sign, it’s often a red flag.
3. Scratch Test
As stated above, a genuine Blue Sapphire is not easy to scratch. Gently test with a copper coin or steel nail. No mark should show.
However, be careful; don't scratch polished surfaces, especially if it's mounted in a ring or pendant.
4. Lab Certificate Importance
This is the most trustworthy method.
Request a gemological laboratory certificate from a well-established authority such as:
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IDT (Indian Diamond Testing) Gemological Laboratories Worldwide
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GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
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IGI (International Gemological Institute)
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G.I.I (Gemological Institute of India)
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IGL (International Gemological Laboratories)
A true certificate will include if the stone is natural, untreated, and contain information on stone’s measurement, weight, clarity, and colour.
It’s not paperwork, it's your gemstone's birth certificate.
Real vs Fake Blue Sapphire Price Comparison
There’s a reason genuine Neelams don't come cheap.
A natural, untreated Blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka (Ceylon Neelam) , Kashmir, or Burma can run anywhere from ₹10,000 to ₹5,00,000 per carat, depending on clarity and origin.
A fake, glass-filled or highly treated sapphire may cost ₹500 to ₹5,000 per carat, usually sold with exaggerated claims. If someone is selling a "top quality Neelam" at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Also, keep in mind: synthetic sapphires might appear perfect, but there is no astrological power in them. If your goal is spiritual elevation, opt for certified, untreated, and natural Neelam stone only.
Final Thoughts
A Blue Sapphire is not just a beautiful gem, one that grabs attention in a jiffy. It is a bearer of profound cosmic energy, a spiritual connection to the planet Saturn, to balance, wisdom, and clarity of life. But that power only works when the stone is genuine, natural, and intended for you.
That is why it gets so important to buy from trusted sources like Pramogh, where you not only get complete transparency during the buying process, but also genuine support even after your purchase.
FAQs
How to verify a Neelam stone is original?
You can verify the authenticity of a Neelam stone by analyzing its clarity, color uniformity, weight, and scratch resistance. A genuine Neelam will have natural inclusions (not air inclusions), be heavy and cold to the hand, and not scratch easily. You can also perform simple tests at home such as the breath test or loupe examination, but the safest method is to request a lab certification from a renowned gemological lab.
Where to purchase the original Neelam stone?
Purchase Blue Sapphire (Neelam) from a certified and verified gemstone seller that provides you with a genuine lab report from a reputed institute (IDT, GIA, IGI, etc.). Genuine sellers like Pramogh offer you purely natural and untreated stones with full transparency and after-sales service and help you find a stone that is astrologically favourable.
How to choose the best Neelam stone?
The ideal Neelam stone should be natural, unaltered, and compatible with your birth chart. Quality wise, please choose one that has good blue colour, good transparency, no visible inclusions, and good lustre. Ceylon (Sri Lankan) Neelam is highly sought after due to its clarity and astrological potency. Above all, always approach a professional astrologer before taking your final decision.
Can I check Neelam stone at home?
Yes, you can perform some simple tests at home. Try the water drop test, hold it up to light with a magnifying glass to see if there are any natural inclusions, do a gentle scratch test (real Neelam won't scratch easily), and closely examine its weight and luster. They will give you some basic indications, but for absolute surety you would need a lab test.
What is the difference between real and fake Neelam stone?
Real Neelam (Blue Sapphire) is a naturally occurring gemstone with even blue colour, natural inclusions (not air bubbles), heavier weight, and high hardness. It won't be easily scratched and will only reflect blue light, not rainbow colours. Fake Blue Sapphires are generally glass-filled, synthetic, or chemically altered, and appear perfect but have no natural energy and properties of the original stone.
