Sidebar: The Nine Primary Birthstones
Surya – Sun – Ruby – Sunday
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Ruby is the
gemstone for Surya/Sun.
Ruby stone represents planet Sun which is
key / king planet of the Zodiac in the natal chart. Ruby Stone should be
worn minimum of 3-5 carat embedded in Gold Ring / Pendant in the ring
finger of the right hand in elected auspicious time only, according to
geographical location of the native. Ruby stone is suitable only for
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and
Aquarius ascendants. |
Color:
Red, to slightly violet - red, to slightly pinkish - red.
Clarity:
Rubies are a type two gemstone. Some minor inclusions using a loupe at 10x
are acceptable, but gems should be eye flawless. Clarity should be VS1 or
better.
Size: Fine Jyotish quality Rubies (as well as diamonds) are more
powerful than other gems and most people do not require a minimum of two
carats. 1.00 carat to 1.50 carat is the minimum for Rubies.
Cut:
Look for good symmetry.
Shape:
Oval, Cushion, Round, Emerald cut.
Enhancements:
Regular heating is OK. Because the Sun is a hot planet, regular heating of
rubies does not spoil their effects. Unheated rubies are super rare and
desirable, although not required.
Beware:
Avoid Beryllium diffusion heated rubies of Madagascar and Tanzanian origin,
new lead-glass heated rubies (which are of poor quality, heavily treated and
unstable), and glass filled cavities on back of gem. Also avoid brownish and
overly dark tones.
Chandra – Moon – Pearl –
Monday
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Pearl is
the gemstone for Chandra/Moon.
Pearl stone represents planet Moon which is
Queen planet of the Zodiac in the natal chart. Pearl Stone should be
worn minimum of 3-5 carat embedded in Gold/Silver Ring/Pendant in the
little finger of the right hand in elected auspicious time only,
according to geographical location of the native. Pearl stone is
suitable only for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio,
Capricorn Aquarius and Pisces ascendants. |
Color:
White or cream-white.
Luster:
Very important, top luster is super shine, appears glowing from within.
Clarity:
Smooth skin, no pits or blemishes.
Size:
3.00 carats up to 10 carats +.
Shape:
Round or virtually round.
Enhancements:
Can be bleached; avoid these.
Beware:
Dull chalky luster, flat bottom, dimples or surface blemishes. Avoid
Japanese Akoya pearls; very thin nacre renders them near useless.
Mangala – Mars - Red Coral -
Tuesday
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Red Coral
is the gemstone for Mangala/Mars.
Red Coral stone represents planet Mars in
the natal chart. It rules energy, vigour & vitality. Red Coral Stone
should be worn minimum of 3-5 carat embedded in Gold Ring/Pendant in the
ring finger of the right hand in elected auspicious time only, according
to geographical location of the native. Red Coral stone is suitable only
for Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius
and Pisces ascendants.
Red Coral is very benefic in physical & mental growth, vigour &
vitality, health, monetary gains, status in life, success in sports,
marital matters, new ventures and can provide relief from obstructions
in acquiring primary/secondary education, lack of efforts & confidence,
difficulties in forming properties, loss of assets, lack of domestic
peace along with problem to mother/younger brother etc. Medically this
stone is helpful in blood infections, erratic blood circulation,
obstructions in physical growth, fatigue, muscle cramps, back pain,
chest congestion, fever etc |
Color:
Deep, even red with orange secondary; called ‘oxblood’ in the trade.
Clarity:
Avoid pits, blemishes and cracks. Coral has natural growth rings.
Shape:
Usually cut in cabochon cuts: oval, round and cushion. Avoid unsymmetrical
shapes.
Size:
3.00 carats and larger.
Beware:
Dyed coral is common in India and elsewhere. Plastic-filled is also common
in India. Avoid splotchy color and areas of lighter color.
Budha – Mercury – Emerald -
Wednesday
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Emerald is
the gemstone for Budha/Mercury.
Emerald stone represents planet Mercury in
the natal chart. Emerald Stone should be worn minimum of 3-5 carat
embedded in Gold/Silver Ring/Pendant in the little finger of the right
hand in elected auspicious time only, according to geographical location
of the native. Emerald stone is suitable only for Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Pisces
ascendants.
Emerald is very benefic for enhancement in concentration, memory,
learning & analytical capabilities, further studies, children, new
initiatives, resources, gains, marital matters and can provide relief
from neurological disorders, intestinal, skin or respiratory problems,
constipation, short memory/retarded mental & physical growth, Parkinson
disease etc. |
Color:
Slightly bluish or yellowish green. Deeper green is more powerful but do not
sacrifice clarity for color.
Clarity:
Emeralds are the most heavily flawed Jyotish gemstone. Emeralds are
designated type three in clarity, the only Jyotish gemstone in this class.
Chromium, the mineral that makes emeralds green also makes them flawed.
Therefore, it is very, very
difficult to find nearly eye flawless emeralds, but these are the best for
Jyotish. The rule is clarity first, then as much color as your budget will
allow. Emeralds with top clarity and light color are far better than those
with more inclusions and darker color. Clarity first and foremost! Buy the
clearest emeralds possible. Called ‘crystal’ in the trade, super clean
emeralds from Colombia and Brazil are acceptable, as are some Zambian
emeralds, if not too dark in the crystal.
Size:
2.00 carats and larger. If exceptional in color and clarity, then smaller is
OK: Minimum 1.00 carat.
Shape:
Emerald cut, oval, cushion, round.
Enhancements:
All emeralds are “oiled” with oil or synthetic resins. Look for the clearest
clarity and buy from someone you can trust.
Beware:
Avoid heavily treated emeralds. Some experts can determine the level of the
treatment as minor, moderate or heavy. Minor treatment is OK. Be very
careful of hidden cracks that can affect the durability of the emerald
during setting, and after while wearing, especially in the corners. Do not
buy Emeralds with black inclusions.
Guru – Jupiter – Yellow
Sapphire - Thursday
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Yellow
Sapphire is the gemstone for Guru/Jupiter.
Yellow Sapphire stone represents planet
Jupiter which is a divine planet of the Zodiac in the natal chart.
Yellow Sapphire Stone should be worn minimum of 3-5 carat embedded in
Gold Ring/Pendant in the index finger of the right hand in elected
auspicious time only, according to geographical location of the native.
Yellow Sapphire stone is suitable only for Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo,
Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces ascendants.
Yellow Sapphire is very benefic in monetary gains, status in life,
helpful in health matters, marital matters, career/profession, research,
spiritualism/concentration and can provide relief from losses, problem
to father/elder brother, difficulty in settling down in overseas, etc.
Medically this stone is helpful in problems related to diabetes,
jaundice, liver disorder and swollen feet.
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Color:
Fine strong yellow is most powerful. Light colors are less powerful and very
light is not desirable for the best results.
Clarity:
Eye Flawless, VS1, very slight inclusions with no black inclusions, cracks
or milkiness.
Size:
2.00 carats or larger.
Shape:
Oval, cushion, emerald cut, round.
Enhancements: Yellow Sapphires should be unheated. Avoid regular heat
treatment which frequently makes these gems a more golden to orange color.
Beware: Avoid Beryllium Diffusion heat treatment, eye visible
inclusions and very light or pale yellow color.
Shukra – Venus – Diamond -
Friday
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Diamond is
the gemstone for Shukra/Venus.
Diamonds are more powerful, when of high
quality, than the other Jyotish gemstones. Diamonds of one carat or more
are desirable. |
Color:
Choose a colorless or near colorless Diamond. Color grades D-E-F are
colorless; G-H are near colorless. These are the most desirable colors.
Clarity:
Choose clarity grades of VS1 or better: this means very minor inclusions
that are difficult to locate by a trained diamond observer with a 10X power
loupe.
Size:
1.00 carat or larger. Most people do not need two carats or larger.
Shape:
Round, Emerald cut, Princess cut, Radiant cut, or Oval.
Certification:
Gemological Institute of America, GIA, certified diamonds are preferred.
Beware:
Avoid black inclusions, even minute ones at 10X. Also avoid: extremely thin
or very thin or thick girdles; medium to strong blue fluorescence; fair to
poor symmetry; overly deep diamonds, which are dark in the center; and any
laser-drilled or filled diamonds.
Note:
Any of the square or rectangular shapes are a good value. Emerald, Princess,
or Radiant cut, sell for a discount of up to 20% compared to Round cut.
Shani – Saturn - Blue
Sapphire - Saturday
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Blue
Sapphire is the gemstone for Shani/Saturn.
Blue Sapphire stone represents planet Saturn
mostly known for constant gains through mass labour industry, Contract
work, Development of land. Blue Sapphire Stone should be worn minimum of
3-5 carat embedded in Gold/Silver Ring/Pendant in the middle finger of
the right hand in elected auspicious time only, according to
geographical location of the native. Blue Sapphire stone is suitable
only for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and
Aquarius ascendants.
Blue Sapphire stone can be benefic in learning/studies, gains in heavy
industries, marital problems, longevity and can provide relief from ups
and downs in professional career, losses through servants, labour
problems, status in life etc. In addition to this the person might find
relief from diseases related to joints, glandular problems, flatulence
etc.
Blue Sapphire stone can
be benefic in learning/studies, gains in heavy industries, marital
problems, longevity and can provide relief
diseases related to joints, glandular problems, flatulence etc. |
Color:
There is a large range of color from pale grayish blue to deep pure blue,
with slight violet secondary. The best range is a light to medium, fine
‘cornflower’ blue which is not too dark. Look for ‘sweet’, pleasing colors.
Clarity:
Blue Sapphires should be eye flawless, the more flawless the better. Minor
rutile silk inclusions are acceptable and prove no heat. Avoid any but the
most minute crystal inclusions, no cracks or cloudy quality. Avoid moderate
to significant color zoning. Cleaner is better for Saturn gems.
Shape:
Oval, cushion, emerald cut, round.
Size:
2.00 carats minimum
Enhancements:
Avoid heated, Blue Sapphires of all types. The Garuda Purana states that
heated Blue Sapphires are very bad for the wearer.
Avoid: Blue Sapphires that are very dark blue to nearly blackish blue
in color.
Rahu - Hessonite/Gomed -
Saturday
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Hessonite/Gomed
is the gemstone for Rahu.
Hessonite means
imperfection and this gem is moderately included. Look for clearest,
nearly eye-clean material that is bright. |
Color:
Hessonite is a grossular garnet which is found in two main types today:
light peach color and a more dark reddish brown color. The latter is also
called cinnamon stone. Both types are also known as Gomed or Gomeda. Both
are effective for Jyotish.
Clarity:
Hessonite is a type two gemstone that borders on type three. This means more
inclusions or flaws are normal. However, Hessonites that are eye flawless or
only have very minute inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are
desirable.
Shape: Emerald cut, oval, cushion, round.
Size:
2.00 carats and larger.
Enhancements:
None. This gem is never treated if it is eye clean.
Note: Some people prefer the
lighter type Hessonites and others the darker type. The wearer should decide
based on their personal preference.
Ketu - Cat’s-Eye Chrysoberyl
- Tuesday
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Cat’s Eye
Chrysoberyl is the gemstone for Ketu.
The best quality comes from Sri Lanka
(Ceylon) and should have a clear transparent body, and a good sharp eye,
with no visible inclusions. |
Color:
A greenish yellow or yellowish green.
Clarity:
Should be eye flawless, no cracks.
Shape:
Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl always comes cabochon cut in round or oval shapes. The
bottom is almost always lumpy which is OK. But look for overall good
symmetry.
Size:
2.00 carats and larger.
Phenomenon:
The eye is a line of reflected light which appears to float on the surface
of the gem. It should be very straight, sharp and bright.
Enhancements:
Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl is generally not enhanced, except for the rarely
irradiated type.
Avoid: Weak or pale eyes (the line of light). Stay away from crooked
bending eyes, cracks or significant visible flaws.
Beware: There is a type of Cat’s Eye that is irradiated in a nuclear
reactor and is dangerously radioactive. Beware dark chocolate body colors;
these are nearly always irradiated and should not be worn. Natural,
untreated Cat’s Eye is yellowish green or greenish yellow, never chocolate
brown color.
Summary
Generally, Jyotish gemstones
should be as flawless as is possible for their species. This will vary by
degree, depending on the species. Not all Jyotish gems can be equally
flawless.
Always avoid any of these
clarity problems: Cloudy or milky appearance; grainy or sandy appearance on
the surface or inside the gem; cracks or large significant flaws; and black
inclusions. The enhancements listed above give a guideline on treatments.
Buy gems from someone you
know to be knowledgeable and trustworthy. If the price seems too good to be
true, there probably is something wrong that you are missing. Shop and
compare quality. Get expert advice if needed.
All gemstones are not equal.
The type and quality of the gemstones listed above have been found to be the
safest and most effective for best results. The better the quality, the
better and purer the effect the gemstone will have on the person who wears
it.
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