जेम्स्टोन (रत्न)

Choose Your Gemstone

A ratna is worn in Jyotish to strengthen the planet it belongs to. Pandit.com lists the navaratna and their upratna, or substitute stones, as single pieces with their carat weight, so you choose the exact stone you will wear: Blue Sapphire (Neelam), Pitambari, Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj), Ruby (Manik), Emerald (Panna), Hessonite (Gomed), Cat's Eye (Lehsunia), pearls and red coral, along with iolite, amethyst and other upratna. Every stone is chosen under Pt. Rahul Kaushl.

The nine planets and their gemstones

Each of the nine grahas has one principal ratna, and most have gentler, more affordable substitutes. This is the arrangement followed across Vedic astrology.

Planet	Ratna	Common upratna
Surya (Sun)	Ruby (Manik)	Red spinel, red garnet
Chandra (Moon)	Pearl (Moti)	Moonstone
Mangal (Mars)	Red Coral (Moonga)	Carnelian
Budh (Mercury)	Emerald (Panna)	Peridot, green onyx
Guru (Jupiter)	Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj)	Citrine (Sunela)
Shukra (Venus)	Diamond (Heera)	White sapphire, white zircon, opal
Shani (Saturn)	Blue Sapphire (Neelam)	Amethyst, iolite (Neeli)
Rahu	Hessonite (Gomed)	Chosen case by case
Ketu	Cat's Eye (Lehsunia)	Chosen case by case

How to choose the right gemstone

A gemstone strengthens whatever its planet stands for in your chart, the helpful and the difficult alike. That is why the stone is chosen from the birth chart and not from the rashi alone. An astrologer looks at which houses the planet rules, where it sits, its strength and the running dasha.

Start with the lagna. Stones of the planets that rule good houses for your ascendant are the usual first choice.
Do not combine enemies. Stones of planets that are natural enemies, such as Manik and Neelam, are not worn together.
Test the strong stones. Neelam, Gomed and Lehsunia act quickly, so many astrologers advise a short trial before the stone is set.
Use an upratna when the budget is tight. A clean substitute is better than a heavily included ratna.

To get a stone matched to your chart, consult Pt. Rahul Kaushl.

How to wear a gemstone

Set the stone so its base touches the skin. Gold is traditional for Manik, Pukhraj and Moonga, and silver for Moti; Neelam, Gomed and Lehsunia are often set in silver or panchdhatu.
Wear it on the day of its planet, in Shukla Paksha, in the morning after bathing.
Wash the ring in raw milk and Ganga jal, then chant the planet's beej mantra 108 times.
Wear it on the finger of the planet: the ring finger for Surya and Mangal, the index finger for Guru, the middle finger for Shani, and the little finger for Budh and Chandra.

Frequently asked questions

Which gemstone should I wear?

It depends on your birth chart, not only your rashi. The stone of a planet that rules good houses for your ascendant is usually the first choice. A consultation is the safest way to decide.

What is the difference between a ratna and an upratna?

A ratna is the principal gemstone of a planet, such as Neelam for Shani. An upratna is a substitute stone for the same planet, such as amethyst or iolite for Shani. Upratna are gentler and more affordable.

How many carats should my gemstone be?

Weight is decided with the astrologer, by the planet, your chart and the quality of the stone. A clean stone of a moderate weight is preferred over a large stone with heavy inclusions.

Which metal should a gemstone be set in?

Gold is traditional for Manik, Pukhraj and Moonga, and silver for Moti. Neelam, Gomed and Lehsunia are often set in silver or panchdhatu. Your astrologer may adjust this for your chart.

Can I wear Neelam without a trial?

Neelam is known as a fast-acting stone, so many astrologers advise wearing it for a few days on trial, or keeping it close, before it is set permanently.

What is Pitambari?

Pitambari is a natural sapphire that shows both blue and yellow in one stone. It is associated with Shani and Guru together, and it is chosen only when both planets support the chart.