Gemstones in Vedic Astrology

Gemstones in Vedic tradition

In Vedic tradition each of the nine grahas has a gemstone, its ratna, which is said to carry that planet's light. A ruby holds the colour of the rising Sun, a pearl the softness of the Moon, a blue sapphire the deep, slow colour of Saturn. Classical writers on gems, and the astrologers who followed them, describe a well-chosen stone as a way of strengthening the good qualities a planet already shows in a chart.

The idea is one of support, not of force. A gem does not change a horoscope or rewrite what a person must work through. It is traditionally worn so that a planet which is already helpful to the chart can express that help a little more fully: the Sun's confidence, Jupiter's good judgement, Mercury's clear speech.

It is also worth saying at the start that tradition does not place gems first. Many traditional astrologers suggest the planet's mantra, charity on its day, fasting or simple conduct before any stone, because those cost nothing and suit everyone. A gem is one remedy among several, and for many people it is not needed at all.

How tradition chooses a gem

The first rule is that a gem is chosen for the chart, not for the Moon sign or the Sun sign alone. Two people with the same rashi can have different Lagnas (ascendants), and the same planet can rule very different houses for each of them. That is why a gem that suits one person can be wrong for another.

Tradition usually looks first at three planets: the lord of the Lagna, the lord of the 5th house and the lord of the 9th house. The Lagna lord stands for the self and the body, the 5th for intelligence, children and past merit, and the 9th for dharma, fortune and the teacher. These are the trikona (trine) lords and they are read as steadily helpful to the native, so their gems are the ones most often considered.

By default a gem is not suggested for the lord of the 6th, 8th or 12th house. The 6th shows disputes and effort against obstacles, the 8th longevity, sudden change and hidden matters, and the 12th expenses and withdrawal. Strengthening such a planet can strengthen its difficult side too. Where a planet rules one good house and one difficult house, as often happens, the astrologer weighs both before deciding.

• The planet's strength and placement: a planet that is weak and badly placed is often helped by mantra first
• The running dasha: a gem is sometimes considered for the lord of the current period
• Friendship between planets: gems of planets that are natural enemies are usually not worn together
• The person's own comfort: a stone that feels wrong is set aside

Sun: Ruby (Manikya)

The Sun's gem is the Ruby, called Manikya in Sanskrit, the stone of the king among the planets. Its traditional substitute (uparatna) is red garnet, which carries a similar colour more gently. The ruby is set in gold or copper and worn on the ring finger, and it is first put on on a Sunday, the Sun's day, in the morning, when the Sun is rising in the east.

The Sun signifies the self, the father, authority and a clear sense of purpose. A ruby is traditionally worn to support confidence, a sense of duty, leadership and good standing with people in authority.

Tradition considers the ruby when the Sun is a helpful planet for the Lagna. For Leo Lagna the Sun is the Lagna lord itself; for Aries Lagna it rules the 5th house; for Sagittarius Lagna it rules the 9th. For these three ascendants, a well-placed Sun is the most common reason to think of a ruby.

The Sun rules the 12th house for Virgo Lagna, the 6th for Pisces Lagna and the 8th for Capricorn Lagna, so for these ascendants a ruby is usually not suggested by default. Because the Sun and Saturn are natural enemies, tradition also does not usually pair a ruby with a blue sapphire, and the Sun's other enemy, Venus, makes many astrologers cautious about wearing a ruby with a diamond. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Ruby (Manikya); substitute: red garnet
• Metal: gold or copper; finger: ring finger
• Day: Sunday; colour: red and orange

Moon: Pearl (Mukta)

The Moon's gem is the Pearl, Mukta or Moti, the one ratna that comes from water rather than from the earth, which tradition finds fitting for the planet of the mind and of feeling. Its substitute is moonstone. A pearl is set in silver, worn on the little finger, and first put on on a Monday, the Moon's day.

The Moon signifies the mind, the mother, emotions, comfort and the public. A pearl is traditionally worn to support a calm and steady mind, emotional balance, rest, and an easy rapport with people.

For Cancer Lagna the Moon is the Lagna lord; for Pisces Lagna it rules the 5th house; for Scorpio Lagna it rules the 9th. These are the ascendants for which a pearl is most often thought of, especially when the Moon is bright (waxing) and well placed.

The Moon rules the 6th house for Aquarius Lagna, the 8th for Sagittarius Lagna and the 12th for Leo Lagna, so for these a pearl is not suggested by default. A waning, weak Moon is also often helped by mantra and routine before any stone. Venus and Saturn both read the Moon as an enemy, so many astrologers avoid pairing a pearl with a diamond or a blue sapphire. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Pearl (Mukta, Moti); substitute: moonstone
• Metal: silver; finger: little finger
• Day: Monday; colour: white

Mars: Red Coral (Pravala)

The gem of Mars is Red Coral, called Pravala or Moonga. Like the pearl it comes from the sea, and its warm red is Mars's colour. Its substitute is carnelian. Coral is set in copper or gold, worn on the ring finger, and first put on on a Tuesday, the day of Mars.

Mars signifies courage, energy, younger siblings, land and property and technical skill. Red coral is traditionally worn to support initiative, physical energy, the courage to take on challenges, and steady progress in matters of land, engineering, sport or any work that needs strength and precision.

Mars rules two signs, Aries and Scorpio, so it is the Lagna lord for both these ascendants. It rules the 5th house for Cancer and Sagittarius Lagnas, and the 9th for Leo and Pisces Lagnas. For Cancer and Leo Lagnas Mars is the yogakaraka, ruling both a kendra and a trikona, and coral is often discussed for them.

For Gemini Lagna Mars rules the 6th and 11th houses, and for Virgo Lagna the 3rd and 8th, so coral is usually not suggested by default for these ascendants. Taurus and Libra Lagnas, where Mars rules the 7th with the 12th or the 2nd, also need careful reading. Because Mercury is the enemy of Mars, coral is not usually paired with an emerald. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Red Coral (Pravala, Moonga); substitute: carnelian
• Metal: copper or gold; finger: ring finger
• Day: Tuesday; colour: red

Mercury: Emerald (Marakata)

Mercury's gem is the Emerald, Marakata or Panna, green like the planet's colour and like young leaves. Its substitute is peridot. An emerald is set in gold, worn on the little finger, and first put on on a Wednesday, Mercury's day.

Mercury signifies intellect, speech, writing, trade, accounts and learning. An emerald is traditionally worn to support a clear and quick mind, a way with words and numbers, steady study, and good judgement in business.

Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, so it is the Lagna lord for both. It rules the 5th house for Aquarius and Taurus Lagnas and the 9th for Libra and Capricorn Lagnas. For Taurus, Libra and Capricorn, Venus and Saturn are friends of Mercury, and the emerald is often discussed when Mercury is well placed.

For Aries Lagna Mercury rules the 3rd and 6th houses, for Scorpio Lagna the 8th and 11th, and for Cancer Lagna the 3rd and 12th, so an emerald is not suggested by default for these ascendants. Mercury reads the Moon as an enemy, which is why many astrologers do not pair an emerald with a pearl, and coral is also usually kept apart from it. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Emerald (Marakata, Panna); substitute: peridot
• Metal: gold; finger: little finger
• Day: Wednesday; colour: green

Jupiter: Yellow Sapphire (Pushparaga)

Jupiter's gem is the Yellow Sapphire, Pushparaga or Pukhraj, its colour the yellow of turmeric and of the guru's robe. Its substitute is yellow topaz. It is set in gold, worn on the index finger, and first put on on a Thursday, Jupiter's day.

Jupiter, the great benefic, signifies wisdom, teachers, children, wealth earned in the right way, dharma and good counsel. A yellow sapphire is traditionally worn to support good judgement, faith, generosity, learning and the blessings of the 5th and 9th houses. In many families it is also discussed in connection with marriage, since Jupiter is a significator of the husband in a woman's chart in classical reading.

Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, so it is the Lagna lord for both. It rules the 5th house for Leo and Scorpio Lagnas and the 9th for Aries and Cancer Lagnas. For these six ascendants a well-placed Jupiter is the most common reason the yellow sapphire is considered.

For Taurus Lagna Jupiter rules the 8th and 11th houses, for Libra Lagna the 3rd and 6th, and for Capricorn Lagna the 3rd and 12th, so the gem is not suggested by default for these. Mercury and Venus are Jupiter's enemies, so a yellow sapphire is not usually paired with an emerald or a diamond. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Yellow Sapphire (Pushparaga, Pukhraj); substitute: yellow topaz
• Metal: gold; finger: index finger
• Day: Thursday; colour: yellow

Venus: Diamond (Vajra)

The gem of Venus is the Diamond, called Vajra or Heera, the clearest and hardest of the ratnas. Its substitute is white sapphire, a softer and simpler choice of the same colour. A diamond is set in silver or platinum, worn on the middle finger, and first put on on a Friday, the day of Venus.

Venus signifies relationships and marriage, beauty, art, music, comforts and vehicles. A diamond is traditionally worn to support harmony in relationships, artistic talent, taste and ease in daily life.

Venus rules Taurus and Libra, so it is the Lagna lord for both. It rules the 5th house for Capricorn and Gemini Lagnas and the 9th for Virgo and Aquarius Lagnas. For Capricorn and Aquarius in particular, Venus is read as one of the most helpful planets, and its gem is often discussed for them.

For Sagittarius Lagna Venus rules the 6th and 11th houses, for Pisces Lagna the 3rd and 8th, and for Scorpio Lagna the 7th and 12th, so a diamond is not suggested by default for these ascendants. The Sun and the Moon are the enemies of Venus, and so tradition usually keeps a diamond apart from a ruby or a pearl. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Diamond (Vajra, Heera); substitute: white sapphire
• Metal: silver or platinum; finger: middle finger
• Day: Friday; colour: white and pastel shades

Saturn: Blue Sapphire (Indranila)

Saturn's gem is the Blue Sapphire, Indranila or Neelam, the colour of a deep evening sky. Its substitute is amethyst, the gentler and more common choice. It is set in iron or panchdhatu (an alloy of five metals), worn on the middle finger, and first put on on a Saturday, Saturn's day.

Saturn, the great teacher, signifies discipline, hard work, service, patience and endurance. A blue sapphire is traditionally worn to support steady effort, focus, a sense of justice and the ability to build something that lasts. It is not a remedy for Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani or Kantaka Shani as such; those periods are read as times for patience and honest work, and mantra and service are their usual remedies.

Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius, so it is the Lagna lord for both. It rules the 5th house for Virgo and Libra Lagnas and the 9th for Taurus and Gemini. For Taurus and Libra Lagnas Saturn is a yogakaraka, ruling both a kendra and a trikona, and the blue sapphire is most often discussed for them.

For Leo Lagna Saturn rules the 6th and 7th houses, for Cancer Lagna the 7th and 8th, and for Pisces Lagna the 11th and 12th, so the gem is not suggested by default. The Sun, the Moon and Mars are Saturn's enemies, so it is not usually worn with a ruby, a pearl or a coral.

Blue sapphire is one of the two gems that tradition asks to be tried first. The stone is worn, or in some families kept close to the person, for a few days, and taken off if things feel wrong or unsettled. Only after a calm trial is it kept. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Blue Sapphire (Indranila, Neelam), worn on trial first; substitute: amethyst
• Metal: iron or panchdhatu; finger: middle finger
• Day: Saturday; colour: black and dark blue

Rahu: Hessonite (Gomedaka)

Rahu's gem is Hessonite, Gomedaka or Gomed, a honey-brown garnet with a warm, smoky glow. Its substitute is smoky quartz. It is set in panchdhatu, worn on the middle finger, and first put on on a Saturday, the day tradition gives to Rahu.

Rahu is a shadow planet, the Moon's north node, and signifies ambition, foreign lands, technology, the unconventional and sudden rises. Hessonite is traditionally worn to support clear ambition, original thinking and steady success in technology, foreign work or unusual paths, and to keep Rahu's restlessness on a good track.

Rahu owns no sign in the classical scheme used here, so its gem is not chosen by house lordship in the same way as the seven visible planets. Tradition reads Rahu through the sign it occupies and that sign's lord, the house it sits in, and the planets it joins. A gomed is most often considered during Rahu's own dasha, when Rahu is well placed, for example in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th house, or in a sign whose lord is helpful for the Lagna.

When Rahu sits with the Lagna lord or with the Moon under strain, or when its dasha brings confusion rather than clarity, many astrologers suggest Rahu's mantra and worship of Durga first, and keep the stone for later, if at all. Rahu acts much like Saturn, so hessonite is usually not paired with a ruby or a pearl. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Hessonite (Gomedaka, Gomed); substitute: smoky quartz
• Metal: panchdhatu; finger: middle finger
• Day: Saturday; colour: smoky blue

Ketu: Cat's Eye (Vaidurya)

Ketu's gem is the Cat's Eye, Vaidurya or Lehsunia, a stone with a single bright line of light across it, like the eye of a cat. Its substitute is tiger's eye. It is set in panchdhatu, worn on the ring finger, and first put on on a Tuesday, the day tradition gives to Ketu.

Ketu is the Moon's south node and signifies detachment, intuition, spirituality, research and skills carried from the past. A cat's eye is traditionally worn to support focus, insight, the ability to let go, and progress in research or spiritual practice.

Like Rahu, Ketu owns no sign in the classical scheme used here, and its gem is chosen by reading the sign it occupies, that sign's lord, its house and its companions. It is most often considered during Ketu's dasha, when Ketu is well placed, for example in the 3rd, 6th, 9th or 11th house, or joined with a helpful planet. Ketu acts much like Mars, and many astrologers read its gem alongside the state of Mars.

Cat's eye is the second gem that tradition asks to be tried first. It is worn for a few days and removed if sleep, mood or the course of things feels wrong. When Ketu is under strain, mantra, simple service and worship of Ganesha are usually suggested before any stone. As with every gem, wear it only after an astrologer has checked your chart.

• Gem: Cat's Eye (Vaidurya, Lehsunia), worn on trial first; substitute: tiger's eye
• Metal: panchdhatu; finger: ring finger
• Day: Tuesday; colour: grey

How a gem is traditionally worn

Tradition sets a gem so that its underside touches the skin, in the planet's own metal, and wears it on the finger given to that planet. It is first put on on the planet's day, in the morning, after bathing, usually after reciting the planet's beej mantra 108 times. Some families wash the ring in raw milk and Ganga water before wearing it.

A substitute (uparatna) of the same colour is a traditional, gentler and less costly choice. Each substitute is read in the same way as its main gem, only softer in effect.

• Ring finger: Sun, Mars and Ketu
• Little finger: Moon and Mercury
• Index finger: Jupiter
• Middle finger: Venus, Saturn and Rahu
• Blue sapphire and cat's eye: a few days on trial first

A word of caution

Wear a gemstone only after an astrologer has checked your whole chart: the Lagna, the house lordships, the strength of the planet and the running dasha. A list of gems by sign, including this one, is a starting point for understanding, not a prescription.

Never acquire an expensive gem in a hurry or out of worry. A stone chosen in fear tends to bring more worry, and no one should feel pressed to spend beyond their means. Tradition itself offers mantras, charity and good conduct, which cost nothing. No gem is needed to live a good life.