When purchasing a fine gemstone, for example, a Yellow Sapphire, one of the many questions you may ask is whether to purchase a treated or untreated Yellow Sapphire. Gemstones have long been valued for their powerful planetary remedies, and the Yellow Sapphire (or Pukhraj stone) is especially sought after for its connection to Jupiter (Brihaspati), the planet of wisdom and growth. However, as we all know, high-quality, unheated/untreated gemstones (especially the Navratnas) usually come with a heavy price tag, often leaving behind doubts: Is it really worth spending that kind of money?
When shopping for a Yellow Sapphire, you will find two main types in the market: treated and untreated. The untreated Yellow Sapphire is more expensive, while treated options come at a much lower price. This is where the debate between treated vs untreated sapphires comes into play. In this blog, we are going to take a closer look at what these terms mean and how to choose between a treated sapphire and an untreated sapphire. Let’s dive into the details and find out what’s best for you.
Understanding Sapphire Treatments
Before diving into the treated vs untreated debate, let's first understand what “treatment” means when it comes to sapphires. The word “treatment” might sound a bit negative, but think of it more as a “makeover” for the gemstone. So, why do sapphires need a makeover in the first place?
Sapphires naturally have internal features like rutile needles (also known as "silk"), cavities, feather-like inclusions, fingerprint marks, mineral deposits, liquid-filled spaces, and other imperfections like internal voids and cracks. While these natural traits show that the sapphire is real, they do affect the clarity of the stone.
Another important aspect of a gemstone’s beauty is its colour. We all love gemstones with vibrant, rich tones because they instantly catch the eye and look spectacular in jewellery. After all, who doesn’t want beauty with benefits, right?
The goal of sapphire treatments is simple: to enhance the stone’s overall beauty by reducing the visibility of these inclusions and deepening the colour. Here are the main treatments used to do that:
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Heat Treatment:
By far the most common and widely accepted practice in the gemstone industry. Around 95% of the sapphires on the market have been heat-treated. So, how does heat treatment work? This process melts away inclusions like rutile needles and fingerprint marks by changing their internal structure. This makes them less noticeable and improves both the clarity and colour of the sapphire.
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Beryllium Diffusion:
This treatment alters a sapphire's colour by diffusing beryllium into its lattice structure. Due to their small atomic size, beryllium ions easily penetrate the sapphire when it is heated near its melting point. This process intensifies or creates vibrant colours, particularly in the yellow, orange or pinkish-orange colour range.
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Glass-Filling:
Glass-filling is done to improve the clarity of sapphires that have internal cracks or fractures. As the name suggests, this process involves filling the voids with lead glass, which helps make the cracks less noticeable and improves the clarity of the stone in general. It is significant to note that none of these processes will transform a natural sapphire into something artificial. The stone is still natural and simply has its beauty "healed" using processes that are carefully applied. This is the reason that treated sapphires are often referred to as "healed sapphires".
Lab-Grown vs. Treated Sapphires: Which to Choose?
It’s important to understand that treated gemstones and lab-grown gemstones are not the same thing. A lab-grown gemstone is made in a lab with artificial materials, whereas a treated gemstone is one that was formed inside the earth, but was subjected to treatment afterwards, simply because it wasn’t attractive enough in its raw state.
If you are buying a gemstone for aesthetic purposes, i.e., for jewellery, lab-grown sapphires might be a good choice due to their lower price point. However, if you are looking for a gemstone for planetary remedies, it's essential to stick to natural stones, which may or may not be treated.
Treated vs Untreated Sapphire: How Origin Matters
One region where you’ll often find treated sapphires is Thailand, or what are sometimes called Bangkok Yellow Sapphires. These stones are typically heat-treated to improve their appearance. This is in contrast to Ceylon (Sri Lankan) Sapphires, which are generally left untreated. Sri Lankan Pukhraj stone is known for its natural clarity, silky light hue, and captivating luster, without the need for any external enhancement. This is one of the key reasons why a Sri Lankan Pukhraj often comes with a higher price tag, and is also cited as the best untreated yellow sapphire for astrology.
Are Heat-Treated Yellow Sapphires Completely Useless?
Now, you might be asking: Are treated Yellow Sapphires completely useless? If they are heat-treated and the process reduces their natural power, does that mean they are not worth buying at all?
The focus word here is “reduced,” not “eliminated.” While it’s true that heat-treated Yellow Sapphires may not have the same full astrological strength as their untreated counterparts, they still offer Pukhraj stone benefits, though to some extent. The results won’t show up in the same manner as in the case of an untreated sapphire, but they can still promote wisdom, prosperity, and growth.
So, if budget is an issue and you can't get a totally unheated, natural Yellow Sapphire stone, a heat-treated Yellow Sapphire will still be an excellent option for gaining some of the same benefits. It will just take longer to experience them, but it's still a highly effective gemstone. However, if you can afford the Sri Lankan or untreated Yellow Sapphire, it’s definitely the better option for those who seek the stone’s full astrological power.
Should You Buy Treated Yellow Sapphire: Yes or No?
So, should you buy a treated Yellow Sapphire or an untreated Yellow Sapphire? Here’s the simple breakdown:
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If you can afford it, and you want the full, authentic astrological benefits, untreated Pukhraj stone (Ceylon yellow sapphire) is the best choice. Untreated sapphires maintain the natural power of Jupiter and are especially beneficial for those who are serious about using gemstones for planetary remedies.
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If you are on a budget, don’t worry! Treated Pukhraj stone (Bangkok yellow sapphire) is still a great option. While it won’t give you the same immediate results as an untreated sapphire, it’s still a wonderful alternative that can provide benefits over time.
In short, treated Yellow Sapphire is a reasonable and effective option for many people, but if you are looking for pure energy from Jupiter, go for the untreated Yellow Sapphire.
Conclusion
When you decide between treated vs untreated sapphire, it really comes down to what you are looking for. Untreated Yellow Sapphires are the ideal choice for those who want pure, unaltered energy and can afford the price. They offer the best of what Jupiter’s energy has to offer and are often the go-to choice for serious astrological purposes.
Otherwise, if you prefer a more affordable option and still desire the effects of the Pukhraj stone, heat-treated Yellow Sapphires are a good compromise. They retain much of Jupiter's energy, although they might take a bit longer to show results.
Ultimately, the choice between treated vs untreated sapphire is personal; your decision will depend upon your priorities, including price, astrological benefits, or aesthetic appeal.
FAQs
What is the difference between treated and natural sapphires?
Treated sapphires are naturally occurring sapphires that have been enhanced through methods like heat treatment to improve their colour, clarity, and overall appearance. On the other hand, a completely natural sapphire is a stone that has not undergone any artificial treatment and retains its original qualities. While treated sapphires are more affordable, natural sapphires (or untreated sapphires) are prized for their authenticity and are believed to have stronger astrological and healing powers.
How to tell if a sapphire has been treated?
To determine if a sapphire has been treated, check for certification by a competent gemologist or gemstone laboratory. A certified sapphire typically accompanies an in-depth report that indicates whether it has been treated or not. Additionally, the appearance of the stone can also give subtle hints. Treated sapphires tend to have a darker colour that is uniformly spread, while natural sapphires often show natural imperfections, and their colour is also mostly on the lighter side.
What is a treated sapphire?
A treated sapphire refers to a sapphire of natural origin that has been subjected to processes such as heat treatment, which makes it more colourful, clearer, or generally more attractive. The process doesn't change the composition of the stone but makes it more aesthetically pleasing. Heat treatment is the most popular treatment for Yellow Sapphire, which deepens the colour and eliminates inclusions, resulting in the gem appearing more radiant and saleable.
Do heat-treated sapphires fade?
Sapphires treated with heat are typically stable and won’t change their colour with time. The heat treatment process improves the gem’s colour and luster in a permanent manner. Extreme heat and/or some chemicals may damage the surface; therefore, the stone should be treated with proper care.
Should I buy a heat-treated sapphire?
The decision to purchase a heat-treated sapphire is based on your budget and the purpose of use. Heat-treated sapphires often come at lower costs and carry the astrological benefits, although those benefits may not be as immediate or as impactful as with untreated stones. If you are looking for a less expensive option that still gives you some beauty and benefits from Jupiter, heat-treated yellow sapphire is a fine option; however, for full and authentic astrological benefits and stronger effects, unheated Yellow Sapphire is a better option.
What are the benefits of an untreated yellow sapphire?
An untreated Yellow Sapphire is said to be full of strong astrological powers. It is said to capture Jupiter's natural energies to bring wisdom, prosperity, and expansion. Wearing an unheated Yellow Sapphire is believed to increase knowledge, provide confidence, and draw in wealth. Astrologers suggest this gemstone for people who are looking to boost the energies of planet Jupiter in their birth chart.
