By Dr. Theja Hettiaratchi, Ph.D, FGA, FGG, PG

Gems and precious minerals have been in use from time immemorial as a very valuable source which used by royal families, nobles, women and men to adorn themselves or to decorate and add value to the items that they use in their daily life. The world of colourful gems is endlessly fascinating. Since ancient times, coloured stones have been thought to possess certain magical powers or the ability to bestow the wearer with certain attributes.

All the living or non-living entities in this universe have a link to the white bright light that is composed of seven rays which we all have seen in the rainbow. In the scientific world this bundle of seven rays known as VIBGYOR comprises the colors violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. In one of the ancient Indian Spiritual scriptures known as "Kurma Purana", the seven planets are to be seen as a grouping of the seven cosmic rays. Other than in a rainbow we can not see these seven cosmic rays without the aid of a prism. A well facetted and polished gem can do the same to gather the energy of these cosmic rays.

In Vedic astrology or in most of the metaphysical subjects it indicates that gems affect the human body, giving either negative or positive effects. Astrologically they have the potential to increase the inherent capacity of a particular gem for a particular planet. They are generally worn with jewellery but mainly to enhance health, wealth, power and popularity. In the history there are numerous stories about how Kings and queens used to collect the best of gems to protect themselves from evil, omens, ill health, to stay in power and also for increasing longevity.

The rationale and purpose of gems would depend on the characteristics, color and vibrations of planets as most of the major important gems can be attributed to one of the Planets. The color and the size of the gems also play a major role and influence the person who wears and others who sees the brilliance of the gem studded ring, bracelet or the necklace.

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. Wearing gemstones according to one's birth chart is a fundamental theory of Vedic astrology and in India the majority of people wear at least one or two gems on their hand or around their neck or wrist. Astrologers differ somewhat in their methods of prescribing gemstones but there are certain clearly agreed upon principles.

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.

The general practice is to wear the gemstone that corresponds to the lord of the first house, the most important house of a horoscope. By doing this the person strengthens his or her image, confidence, well-being, self-esteem, and the ability to gain recognition. The birthstone is generally the most important stone to wear. However, if the lord of first house is pretty weak, the effect of the gem related to that lord could not be strong. The effects of gemstones are subtle, but they are profound enough for most individuals to notice a positive difference.

Therefore, it is very important to mention that it is always better to strengthen the strongest planet or planets in ones horoscope. This is also a decision taken at the recent voting session of the Planetary Gemologists Association – refer to the voting results and the list of international member list. To study more, please refer to the Web Page and browse: http://www.p-g-a.org/powers.html.

Planetary Gemology: (Ratna-vijnana or Ratna-para-vidya) Ancient Vedic science of the relationship between 9 types of Gems and 9 Planets recognized as most important in sidereal astrology and ayurveda. Based on the "Navaratna" philosophy of Vedic birthstones. Thus planetary gemology is an ancient healing and protective art that can be used to one's advantage with the help of a Vedic astrologer.

However, many practising astrologers, wish to strengthen the weak planet by advising the client to wear a gem that signifies the weak planet in the horoscope or represents the weak Dasha lord. Therefore, one good warning is that Gems should be recommended only after studying the Vedic Horoscope and the strength of the planets in that horoscope.

The effect of gems will depend on the nature of the Planet, its dignity or strength and placement in each individual horoscope. There are two types of planets in every horoscope, known as ANUKUL-GRAHA or favourable planets, and PRATIKUL-GRAHA or unfavourable planets. Gems will act accordingly. If (for example) Sun (Surya) 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 unfavourable.

Therefore, a Planetary Gem Adviser (PGA) or a Planetary Gemologist (PG, who is a Certified Gemologist as well a Planetary Gem Adviser) is qualified to recommend Gems based on Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). A PG or PGA will follow the Anukul-Graha system to recommend Gems that represent the favorable planets in the horoscope.

Since I am a full time practising Vedic Astrologer who is also qualified as a Certified Gemologist and a Planetary Gemologist, many of my clients have being asking me about the quality of Gems that they should buy and from where to buy. 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. It is much better if the dealer is an expert in Gems, but also knows about the Vedic literature pertaining to Jyotish gemstones. 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).

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. It is also advisable to select if possible a large stone closer to 2 carats or more. 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.

See below for a list of all natural gems and their associated planets:

Gems are prescribed according to which planets need strengthening and it can be either according to ANUKUL-GRAHA or favourable planets, and PRATIKUL-GRAHA or unfavourable planets. The following chart shows which gems relate to the seven planets and the two lunar nodes known as Rahu and Ketu.
The first Gem in the list is the primary stone and the 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 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.

It is true that Gems can enhance the strength of planets, provided we select the correct Gem according to the theory that has being discussed above. However, it is important to mention that the Gems alone can not give the necessary strength unless we are ready to make a change by adopting good moral values, ethical practise, loving kindness and to lead a spiritual lifestyle to give happiness to all living beings.

GEM CONFLICTS

As the Sun is incompatible with Saturn, Venus, Rahu and Ketu, Sun gems such as ruby should not be used with blue sapphire, diamond, hessonite or cat's eye.

As the Moon is incompatible with Rahu and Ketu, Moon gems such as pearl should not be used with hessonite or cat's-eye.

As Jupiter is incompatible with Mercury and Venus, Jupiter gems such as yellow sapphire should not be used with emerald or diamond.

As Rahu (Moonís north node) is incompatible with Sun and Moon, Rahu gems such as hessonite should not be used with ruby or pearl.

As Mercury is incompatible with the Moon, Mercury gems such as emerald should not be used with pearl or moonstone.

As Venus is incompatible with the Sun and Moon, diamonds and other colorless gems should not be used with rubies or pearls.

As Ketu (Moonís south node) is incompatible with Sun and Moon, cat's eye gems should not be used with rubies or pearls.

As Saturn is incompatible with Sun, Moon and Mars, Saturn gems such as blue sapphire should not be used with ruby, pearl or red coral.

As Mars is incompatible with Mercury and Saturn , Mars gems like red coral should not be used with emerald or blue sapphires.


Dr. Theja Hettiaratchi, Ph.D, FGA, FGG, PG
65 Gracechurch Crescent
LEEMING WA 6149 (Perth)
Western Australia, AUSTRALIA
Telephone: 61- 8- 9332 6119 / 61- 8- 9332 5336
Fax: 61-8- 9332 5336
E-mail: Theja@primusonline.com.au
Web Page: www.theja.com.au