Real vs Fake Neelam Stone: How to Identify an Original Blue Sapphire

Real vs. Fake Neelam Stone: How to Identify an Original Blue Sapphire

Buying an original blue sapphire is one of the most confusing things as neelam stones happen to be one of the most copied gemstones in the market. These glass, lab-made stones, and treated stones can all wear the same rich blue color, which creates confusion in identifying a real vs. fake blue sapphire.

People usually test their gemstones at home to know their originality by dropping the stone in water or breathing on it, which does not lead to a certified conclusion. At MyRatna we provide you free guidance to identify real Neelam stones properly to know the real difference between natural and synthetic gemstones, which makes proper certification essential to check at the time of purchase.

If you are looking for a natural and certified Neelam Stone, you can explore MyRatna's collection to compare gemstones based on their quality, weight, origin and certification.

Real vs. Fake Neelam. What's the Difference?

A fake neelam stone can mean one of the three things: either it is a lab-made stone, a treated natural stone, or a plain glass-shaped gemstone made to look luxurious. This makes it essential to identify neelam stone authenticity.

• Natural blue sapphires: These are formed inside the earth for over millions of years. They carry their own marks of color and patterns.
• Heated/Treated sapphires: They look like a natural gemstone but are improved with heat to show good clarity and better color. These are often accepted to be traded until asked about certification.
• Synthetic/Lab-grown Sapphire: These stones have the same chemical properties as a natural one but are created in labs and not inside the earth.
• Imitation or glass: They are made up of completely different material, due to their softness and cheap copy of the original blue sapphires.

Browse MyRatna’s certified and handfuly sourced Blue Sapphire Collection to shop authentic gemstones that deliver vedic astrological benefits along with luxury.

How to Identify a Real Neelam Stone

There are many procedures available to identify a fake blue sapphire instead of a single one, but you can simply follow these steps to identify an original Neelam stone by yourself.

• Color and appearance: A natural neelam sapphire has an uneven deep blue color that is normally richer from one angle and lighter from another. While a treated blue sapphire is more even throughout. Along with this, glass copies often look flat or overly glassy.
• Inclusions: Natural sapphires hold tiny internal marks called inclusions that are related to silk or small colored spots. When being looked at under a magnification glass, if the stone looks flawless, it might be treated and unnatural.
• Magnification: Under magnification, the blue sapphires appear more messy and have unsystematic patterns or inclusions. Treated stones show curved colors and tiny gas bubbles.
• Weight & Density: Part of the corundum mineral family, blue sapphires carry a specific density. A copied glass stone of the same size is lighter in visuals.
• Treatment: Most of the blue sapphires being sold today online are treated with heat to improve their clarity of color.

Can You Test Neelam at Home?

Buyers try quick home methods, which can be used to test the authenticity of blue sapphires at home.

• Water test: A real blue sapphire will sink fast due to density.
• Breathe test: Fog is believed to clear faster off a real sapphire than off glass.
• Torch or light test: A trained eye can catch color zoning when shining light crosses.
• Scratch test: Avoid scratching the gemstone, as it damages the overall surface and its quality.
• Loupe test: Checking for patterns using magnifying tools can be a trusted method to use.

Performing these tests at home cannot confirm the identification of a natural neelam stone. It is believed to consult a trusted gemologist to know the accurate originality of the stone.

Natural vs. Synthetic vs. Treated Blue Sapphire

A natural blue sapphire is extracted originally from the earth without any involvement of laboratory testing. While synthetic blue sapphires are made up in a lab, they have the same chemical properties as corundum mineral family ones, which makes them more affordable to buy. A heated or treated neelam stone is being heated to show the same clarity and color as an original gemstone. Imitated stones are not believed to be real sapphires at all, as they do not hold actual astrological significance.

A natural stone cannot be automatically claimed as untreated. A treated natural sapphire is still a real gemstone when its properties are disclosed. They are just not in their rarest form.

How to Check a Neelam Certificate

An authentic gemstone certification from a trusted lab should include the following properties. Reading the Neelam certificate carefully before paying online is one of the most important habits to maintain trust.

• Stone identification: It helps in confirming that the stone comes from the corundum/sapphire family.

• Natural or synthetic status: One of the most important lines on any certificate.

• Treatment disclosure: It is to identify if the stone has been heated or treated. If it is heated, then it helps to maintain the rate of heat used.

• Carat weight: It maintains the actual weight of the stone that matches with the sold one.

• Measurements: Precise dimensions of blue sapphire benefit the authenticity of the gemstone.

• Report number: A unique ID for the issued gemstone certificate.

• Certificate verification: Most reputed labs let you verify a report online using this number, which is issued directly on the lab's website.

A Blue Sapphire certificate is your strongest evidence of your purchase. It is advised to always match the certificate details with the physical stone before finalizing any online purchase.

Does Ceylon Blue Sapphire Mean It Is Genuine?

Any gemstone labelled as Ceylon neelam stone is observed as originally authentic in nature. But, in reality, blue sapphire origin and authenticity differ from each other in many ways.

Ceylon, Burma, and Thailand sources are known for producing high-quality Blue Sapphires, which is why the origin holds major power in the gemstone market. While a rare stone with another origin could also be believed as original or treated. This is why the credibility of a Blue Sapphire should always be confirmed through a proper lab certificate and not solely by the selling claims.

How Much Does a Real Neelam Cost?

There is no single fixed rate for a real Neelam, as the Neelam stone price depends on various factors related to the gemstones.

• Color: It is found with a rich, deep blue color. Even saturation is generally priced higher than a pale or overly dark stone.

• Clarity: Fewer visible mark patterns that are also called inclusions lead to an increase in the overall Blue sapphire price structure.

• Carat: Bigger stones are rarer and cost more per carat compared to smaller blue sapphire stones.

• Origin: Stones from Ceylon hold a premium value and cost in the market.

• Treatment: Untreated blue sapphire is priced the highest, while treated natural stones and synthetic stones are the most affordable options.

• Quality: Overall cut, finish, and shine also play a role in deciding the actual price of the stone.

• Certification: A certified stone from a trusted lab is easier to trust, as it adds to the original value.

After deciding on the price and the quality of the blue sapphires, explore MyRatna’s genuine Blue Sapphire Rings and Pendants from our online collection.

How to Buy a Genuine Neelam Stone Online

• Check certification: It is advised to buy an original blue sapphire with an authentic online certificate from a recognized gemological lab before confirming any purchase.

• Check treatment disclosure: Make sure that the listing of the online stones states whether the gemstone is natural, treated, or synthetic.

• Verify weight/details: Always match the carat weight and measurements with the content written on the certificate of the gemstone.

• Check seller transparency: A genuine online seller will share complete stone details openly, without hesitation.

• Check return policy: A fair return policy will give you a chance to get the stone verified independently after purchase.

• Don't depend on home tests alone: Use visual checks only as a starting point, not as a final proof to test the credibility.

Even a genuine and certified Neelam stone should suit your birth chart (Kundli) before you wear it. MyRatna suggests checking who should wear blue sapphire as per your rashi and Saturn placement before you buy the gemstone online.

Frequently Asked Questions

1: How can I tell if my Neelam is real?

You can easily check for color and natural patterns that can be looked at under a magnification glass. It can be verified using a proper gemologist certificate, which no single home test can confirm.

2: Can a real Neelam have inclusions?

Yes, it is normal, as most of the original natural sapphires have internal inclusions. It is also observed that a flawless blue sapphire can be synthetic and treated in nature.

3: Does the water test work?

No, it is not reliable to test the gemstone’s authenticity, as it cannot confirm whether the stone is natural, synthetic, or untreated. This happens because several stones behave the same in water.

4: Is synthetic Blue Sapphire fake?

No, not exactly, as these blue sapphires are still a part of the corundum mineral family. But they are generally lab-grown and not fully natural.

5: Is heated Neelam natural?

Yes, heated blue sapphires are still considered natural, as it improves the overall clarity and color of the stone. It does not change the fact that the stone is natural; it only improves its color and clarity.

6: How do I verify a Neelam certificate?

It is advised to match the report number on the issuing lab's official website and check that the stone details, treatment status, weight, and measurement align with the physical stone.

Final Verdict

While checking the originality between real vs. fake Blue Sapphire, visual properties such as color, weight, and patterns are considered important. The safest way to confirm the authenticity of a genuine blue sapphire is through a lab certification and not any random home test. After you verify your stone, take a closer look at MyRatna's luxurious neelam stone collection with free gem recommendations from our trusted gemologists.