Vedic Astrology and Gems
In Vedic astrology it indicates that gems affect the human body, giving either negative or positive effects. Every gem has the power to absorb the radiation emitted by a particular planet. Therefore, in order to receive its benefits, the gem pertaining to the particular planet should be worn. The native should avoid the use of gems related to malefic planets in the horoscope. It is always advisable to use the gem which is related to the strongest planet of your horoscope. This holds true even during the Mahadasa and Antardasa of the malefic planet. According to the above principles, the selection and timing of the gem is decided. Astrologically, they have the potentiality to increase the strength of a particular planet. They are generally worn for health, wealth, power and popularity.
From times immemorial, gems have been used by royalties, nobles and women to adorn themselves. Normally, depending on the birth chart, a gem is suggested to be worn for increasing wealth, power and popularity apart from averting diseases. In ancient times, Kings used to collect the best of gems (Kohinoor etc.) to protect themselves from bad evils to stay in power and also for increasing longevity.
The rationale and purpose of gems would depend on the characteristics, colour and vibrations of planets as most of the major important gems stand attributed to one of the Planets/Nakshatra. Colour of the gems also play a major role and influence the native and others who see the gemmed ring on the finger of the native.
PLANETARY GEMOLOGY: (Ratna-vijnana or Ratna-para-vidya) Ancient Vedic science of the relationship between 9 (categories of) GEMS and 9 (categories of ) PLANETS recognized as most important in sidereal astrology and ayurveda. Based on the “Navaratna” philosophy of Vedic birthstones.
Thus planetary gemmology is an ancient healing and protective art that can be used to one’s advantage with the help of a Vedic astrologer.
The effects of gems will have depends on the nature of their Planet lord’s attitude or placement in each individual horoscope. There are two types of planets in every horoscope, viz., ANUKUL-GRAHA or favorable planets, and PRATIKUL-GRAHA or unfavorable planets. Gems will act accordingly. If (for example) Surya (Sun) is well-placed in your horoscope then Sun’s gem, ruby, will also act well; but if Sun is ill-placed in your chart then the Sun’s gem will also be unfavorable.
See below for a list of all natural gems and their associated planets:
Gems are prescribed according to which planets need strengthening. The following chart shows which gems relate to the various planets. (Rahu and Ketu are the moon’s north and south nodes.)
For each planet, the primary stone is listed first. Secondary stones can also be used, but the primary stones are preferred.
1) RUBY, Red spinel, red garnet and red tourmaline (rubellite) are ruled by the Sun;
2) NATURAL PEARL, Moonstone, white coral and natural (death) ivory are ruled by the Moon;
3) RED CORAL, Carnelian and all-red bloodstone are ruled by Mars
4) EMERALD, Tsavorite, green tourmaline, diopside, peridot and jade are ruled by Mercury;
5) YELLOW SAPPHIRE, Yellow topaz, yellow beryl (heliodor), and yellow tourmaline are ruled by Jupiter;
6) DIAMOND, White (colorless) sapphire, white topaz, zircon and colorless quartz are ruled by Venus;
7) BLUE SAPPHIRE, blue spinel, indicolite (blue tourmaline), iolite and amethyst are ruled by Saturn;
8) HESSONITE, Orange zircon, spessartite, malaya, and other orange garnets are ruled by Rahu;
9) CHRYSOBERYL CAT’S EYE, Beryl, apatite, fibrolite, and tourmaline cat’s eyes are ruled by Ketu;
How can I find a good Gem ?
When we talk about the quality of Gems that we use for astrological purpose, the first criteria is that the Gem has to be 100% natural. This means that the Gem should not be heat treated or not exposed to any form of radiation, dyed, pasted or glued and chemically altered. Also try to select a clean Gem if possible a flawless Gem without cracks, much impurities and imperfections. This can be hard and a costly issue. Therefore, one should consider buying a slightly smaller Gem or a Secondary Gem (Uparatna) which is similar in colour to the initially recommended astrological Gem. However, since secondary Gems could be weaker in their astrological effect, one may have to increase the size of the secondary Gem. One may think that wearing a ring having several tiny chips of the same type of Gem which will give the total weight of over two or three carats could be effective. A combination as such is totally ineffective. Generally it is unimportant where the Gems are worn, as long as they feel comfortable and the Gem touches the skin. The important is the quality, colour, size and the purity. If it is a cut and polished Gem the angle of the facets and the polish can also be an issue that one may have to look at as such Gems can act like a prism and reflect the cosmic rays well.
Knowing the vast selection of Gems available in the market it will be very hard for an ordinary person to find a good natural Gem unless they get a referral to someone who has virtues and talents in multiple areas. Such a gem dealer must first be totally honest and reliable. Honesty and reliability is very important as it is hard to identify a good quality Gem because today the market is flooded with imitations and man-made Gems (synthetics).