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In Indian tradition, the sacred gems
relating to the nine planets are called
The Nine Gems, or "navratna".
Each of these gems has a traditional role
to play in either strengthening or counteracting
the power of its ruling planet. This article
by Uma Shankar Shukla concludes by examining
the Nine Gems.
YELLOW SAPPHIRE
or Topaz/Pushkaraj (for Jupiter)
 This
is one of the most widely used gems to
help achieve better financial status.
The wearer may expect wealth, good health,
name, honour and fame if the Gem suits
him or her.
It is also believed that if there are
obstructions in finding a suitable match
for a girl, she gets married early by
wearing a Yellow Sapphire. This is normally
light yellow in colour.
Topaz or Pushkaraj is a cold gem. It improves
vision, gives life security, protects
ones from poverty, removes adversity,
misfortune and melancholy.
In diseases, Topaz cures diarrhea, gastritis,
ulcer, rheumatism, jaundice, insomnia,
heart troubles, impotency, gout, arthritis,
pain in knee joints, etc. Topaz should
be worn in gold, on 1st finger of right
hand on Thursday. The weight should be
of 7 or 13 grams.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Sapphires, are simply crystallized alumina
(Al2O3) and in their pure form are devoid
of colour.
Sapphires are found in various colours
which include pink, blue, green, yellow,
orange and white. In India, Yellow Sapphire
is known as Pukhraj and Blue Sapphire
is known as Neelam. It has a specific
gravity of 3.99, mean refractive index
(RI) 1.765 and Hardness of 9 on the Moh's
scale.
OCCURRENCE
Sapphires are found in India, Brazil,
Sri Lanka, Russia, Thailand, Australia,
U.S.A, U.K., Nepal, Mexico, Zambia and
Nigeria. In India, Sapphires are found
in Jammu. These are considered to be the
best in the world. Few sapphires are also
found in Orissa but they are not of very
high quality.
IDENTIFICATION
Natural Sapphires carry within them clear
signs of slow crystallization. Some of
the external elements sometimes remains
preserved in the Gem which helps its identification.
Like all other precious gems it should
have inclusions which should be visible
to the naked eye or under magnification.
Otherwise, it is a piece of glass or a
synthetic substance.
The inclusions are generally like 'feathers'
or are like finger print impressions.
Liquid inclusions looking like lace are
also sometimes visible. Synthetic Sapphires
are very common in the market and many
traders in order to earn fast money sell
them as originals. These are very clear
and under magnification show bubble like
inclusions. Sometimes feather like inclusions
have also seen but they shine abnormally
under light.
BLUE SAPPHIRE
or Neelam (for Saturn)
 Neelam
removes evil effects of Saturn. It is
said that this stone has the magical power
to elevate its user to a higher status
from all sides. Some astrologers believe
that Blue Sapphire or Neelam is so powerful
if used properly that it can alleviate
even long-term misfortune. However there
is a caution. Sometimes this stone may
react adversely. It is advisable to first
test it for a week before final wearing.
It could give you everything you could
desire - health, wealth, longevity, happiness.
It also restores lost wealth and property.
This is normally faint or dark blue in
colour. Sapphire or Neelam is a very cold
gem. They may be yellow also. It brings
wealth, name and fame. Also gives good
stamina, longevity and security in life.
Can improve fertility in a barren woman.
Best suited for joy, love and happiness.
It cures fainting, fits, virility, mental
disorder, deafness and baldness.
It should be used on 2nd finger of right
hand in gold or panch dhatu on Saturday
and the weight is 5 or 7 grams.
RUBY Manik (for Sun)
 Ruby
is said to give name, fame, vigor, virtue,
warmth and the capacity to command to
its user. It can also raise the individual
far above the status in which he was born.
Historically, it has been symbolic of
love and passion. This is normally red
in colour. Ruby is a hot stone.
On diseases front: Ruby helps cure peptic
ulcer, fever, rheumatism, gout etc. However
prolonged use may cause boils, itch and
insomnia as well. Do consult an astrologer
or a gemologist before wearing this or
any other stone. Ladies should avoid the
use of Ruby as it can destroy the body
lustre.
Ruby should be used in gold in third or
ring finger of right hand on Sunday. Ideally
should be of about 3 or 5 grams in weight.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The name Ruby comes from Latin 'Rubrum',
which means 'Red'. Ruby, which is corundum,
is simply crystallized alumina (Al2O3)
and in pure form it is devoid of colour.
The rich colour in Ruby is mainly due
to small amounts of chronic oxide, which
is able to replace part of alumina without
disturbing the trigonal crystal structure.
It has a specific gravity of 3.99. Mean
Refractive Index is 1.765 and the hardness
is 9 on the Moh's scale.
OCCURRENCE
Ruby is found in Burma, Thailand, Sri
Lanka, East Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Afghanistan,
India and Pakistan. The best Rubies are
from the Magok district of Burma. Thai
Rubies are comparatively less attractive
and the Rubies found in Sri Lanka are
pink.
IDENTIFICATION
Natural Rubies are never 'clean' i.e.,
without inclusions. They contain inclusions
which look like 'silk'. Natural Ruby encloses
small crystals of other minerals, in the
form of pale angular grains, cavities
of irregular shapes, patches of fine needle-like
criss-crossing canals which give a silky
effect by reflected light. If these inclusions
are not visible to the naked eye, then
the eyeglass should be used to detect
them. If even under high magnification
no such inclusions are visible, then the
Gem you are checking is most probably
a piece of glass. A synthetic Ruby will
either not contain any inclusions or else
it will have bubble-like inclusions, or
cracks, as seen in a glass, will be visible.
The cracks will give a milky hue and will
be of an even nature.
EMERALD Panna (for
Mercury)
 Emerald
improves faculties related to the brain
such as memory, communication, intuition,
the intellect, and the ability to learn.
It is normally petal green or dark green
in colour.
Emerald is a hot gem. It increases intelligence
and brainpower, removes and cures fickle-mindedness,
loss of memory, stammering, fear from
souls and spirits, cools the harsh speech.
One of the interesting observations about
Emerald is that it is not prescribed for
newly wed couples. It is said that newly
married couples should not use it, as
it impairs conjugal happiness due to reduction
in sexual desires.
It is also useful for curing diarrhea,
dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcer, asthma,
insomnia, heart troubles, etc. Emerald
should be used in gold of 3, 5, 7 or 10
grams on 4th finger of right hand on Wednesday.
An Emerald wearer is likely to find sufficient
wealth.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Emerald, which is a Gem of Beryl family,
is a silicate of beryllium and aluminium
3BeO.Al2O3.6SiO2. The colour of Emerald
is mainly due to traces of chromium replacing
aluminium ions in the hexagonal beryl
crystal. It has a specific Gravity of
2.71, mean refractive index is 1.58 and
hardness is 7.5 on the moh's scale.
OCCURRENCE
Emerald is found in Colombia, Brazil,
Russia, Tanzania, South Africa, India,
Australia, Austria, Pakistan, Kenya and
Zambia. In India, Emeralds are found in
Rajasthan, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.
IDENTIFICATION
Emeralds from various mines have different
kinds of inclusions. These inclusions
can be seen with the naked eye, or else
under magnification. If no inclusions
are seen even under magnification, the
chances are that the Gem under examination
is either a piece of glass or a fake.
The inclusions in Emeralds include flakes
of mica, inclusions like fibre, milky
white spots, straw and bamboos and small
cubes of rock salt are also seen sometimes.
Black spots are also seen in Emeralds.
Emeralds were formed when lava coming
out from the volcanoes solidified on the
surface of the earth. At this stage its
fast solidification led to certain flaws
in its crystal formation and certain foreign
elements also got into it. The synthetic
Emeralds contain nail-like inclusions,
brush-marks or chains of bubbles.
RED CORAL Praval
or Moonga (for Mars)
 It
is said that Red Coral instills courage
in its wearer. It also helps in curing
blood -related diseases. It is normally
red in color. Coral ensures material happiness,
recovery from diseases indicated by Mars
such as fever, cough, bilious complaints,
smallpox, chickenpox, headache, loss of
vitality, piles, boils, measles etc. It
should be worn in silver or copper, and
should be of 9, 11, 12 grams, on Tuesday
on 1st or 4th finger of right hand. It
is a hot stone.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Coral is a product of sea. It is formed
from the calcareous skeletons of myriads
of tiny polyps (which means insect with
many feet) which live in vast colonies
in warm waters at a moderate depth. It
is composed chiefly of calcium carbonate.
This is arranged as fibres radiating from
the central axis of the curving coral
branches. Its specific Gravity is 2.68
and hardness is less than 4 on the Moh's
scale. It is an opaque stone. Many forms
of coral exist but only high quality Red,
Pink, Blue, Black and white corals are
used in jewellery.
OCCURRENCE
Corals are found in India, Italy, Australia,
Sri Lanka, Japan, Malasia, South, Africa,
Algeria and U.S.A.
IDENTIFICATION
Coral, being an opaque gem, is very difficult
to identify. A lot of eye practice is
required to differentiate between a natural
and a manmade coral. Natural corals, if
seen under magnification, always tell
the story of their origin. They have black
marks which are actually holes.
A very careful examination is required
to identify a natural coral. As real corals
are not very clear and if clear they are
very costly. Manmade corals are very commonly
found in the market places being sold
as real corals.
DIAMOND Heera
(for Venus).
 It
is said that the one who wears a Diamond
has a luxurious life . Diamond is also
supposed to enhance the name, fame and
artistic quality of the person. Diamond
is a hot gem. It creates goodness and
removes evil and fearful thoughts in the
native. It improves financial conditions
and blesses the native with comforts and
peace of mind. It also enhances sexual
power. Also helpful in diabetes, diseases
of urine, of private parts, syphilis,
skin and uterine diseases. Diamond should
he worn on 1st finger of right hand on
Friday in gold or platinum. The weight
should be 1/4 or 1/2 gram.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The name diamond comes from the Greek
'adamas', meaning 'invincible' in recognition
of its exceptional hardness which makes
it resist any form of abrasion by other
minerals. Diamond is carbon in its pure
form. Chemically there is no difference
between diamond, coal and graphite. But
the unique atomic bonding makes the difference.
It has a specific gravity of 3.52, mean
Refractive Index is 2.418 and has a hardness
of 10 on the Moh's scale.
OCCURRENCE
Diamonds are found in South Africa, Australia,
Russia, Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania,
Brazil and India. In India Diamonds are
found in Madhya Pradesh, Orrisa and Andhra
Pradesh.
IDENTIFICATION
For a Diamond to be real, it must possess
some inclusions. These inclusions are
visible by naked eye or under magnification.
If no inclusions, black spots or milk
patches, are visible in a Diamond then
either it is a zirconia or piece of glass.
Diamonds which do not have any inclusions
under 50x magnification are very rare
and can be found with collectors only.
The small black spots visible in Diamonds
are crystals of Graphite or other forms
of Carbon. These black spots shine under
light. Diamonds have an affinity for grease,
the surface of a cut Diamond will generally
have a film of grease if it had been handled.
The most important test of a diamond is
that, all light entering the front of
the stone is totally reflected from the
back facets which form a series of mirrors.
A well cut diamond if viewed from the
back and held up to the light, will show
only a pinpoint of light from the culet.
In addition, looking down on a brilliant-cut
diamond one cannot see the wearer's finger
below the stone, as can be seen in other
stones. White light entering a diamond
is dispersed into a spectrum of colours,
giving flasks of different colours from
the smaller crown facets.
ZIRCON Gomedh
or Hessonite (for Rahu)
 The
shadow planet Rahu is supposed to be responsible
for all sorts of delays or very late fulfillment
of ambitions. Gomedh can help in achieving
speedy success in less time than expected.
Gomedh also improves dealing with people
and protects its wearer from sudden misfortunes.
This is normally reddish-chocolate in
colour. Gomedh is cold in nature. It cures
diseases caused by affliction of Rahu
and Saturn. It also increases appetite,
vitality, confers good health, wealth
and happiness and all round prosperity.
It is said to be the best gem to avert
stomach ailments, disaster, insanity,
and evil spirits.
It should be used in silver on Saturday
on 2nd finger of right hand. The weight
should be 6, 11, 13 grams.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Its name comes from Greek 'esson' meaning
'inferior', since these gems are supposed
to be less valuable. Gomedh is a Gem of
the Garnet family. Magnets can pull these
Gems, which is a very special phenomenon,
as magnets otherwise pull only certain
metals. Chemically it is known as Grossular
(3CaO.Al2O3.3SiO2). It is found in number
of colours like green and pink but generally
it is orange brown. It has a hardness
of 7.25 on the Moh's Scale, specific gravity
is 3.65 and Refractive Index is 1.74.
OCCURRENCE
It is available in abundance. It is found
in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Australia,
Tanzania, South Africa, Burma, Mexico,
Russia, Italy, Kenya, Canada, U.S.A, and
Malaysia. In India it is found in Andhra
Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Bihar.
Gaya mines in Bihar are the biggest source
of this gem. Recently, very good quality
of this Gem has been found in Orissa.
IDENTIFICATION
This Gem contains inclusions which look
like scattered islands or flat bubbles.
The colour is like honey shining under
a ray of light. The inside, when viewed
under magnification looks like a thick
sticky liquid and certain areas look out
of shape with lesser transparency.
CAT'S EYE Lehsuniya
(for Ketu)
 This
protects its wearer from hidden enemies,
mysterious dangers and diseases. It is
normally milky in colour. The gem is very
hot in nature. In the event that it does
not suit the wearer, the gem sometimes
gives immediate signals like uneasiness,
restlessness etc.
Cat's Eye is supposed to counter the evil
effects of Ketu and diseases caused by
Mars. It may prevent unexpected mishaps
of life, curing mania, paralysis etc.
It protects the wearer from accidents
and secret enemies. For businessmen, it
is a miraculous result-giving stone, bestowing
wealth by secret means like horse racing,
gambling, stock exchange market and speculations.
It also protects from drowning, intoxication,
and Government punishment. It is said
to bring fortunes to those who gamble
(horse racing, casinos) and should be
worn in gold on 2nd finger or 3rd finger
of right hand. The weight should be 3,
5 or 7 grams.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Cat's Eye is a gem which displays a band
of light at the top which moves when the
gem is tilted. The Mineral is chemically
known as Chrysoberyl (BeO.Al2O3). The
chemical bonding is rhombic. It is generally
found in greenish, brownish, yellowish
and colourless shades. It has a specific
gravity of 3.71 and hardness of 8.5 on
the Moh's scale. It is a fairly hard material
which wears well as a ring stone, although
it is brittle.
OCCURRENCE
Cat's Eye is found in Sri Lanka, Brazil
and India on a very big scale. It is also
found in South Africa, Russia, Burma and
U.S.A. In India, it has been found in
a very big way in Orissa. It is also found
in Kerela, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu and Bihar.
IDENTIFICATION
Being an opaque gem poses certain difficulties
in differentiating the natural gem from
artificial material. One striking difference
which one can tell after some experience
of seeing natural Cat's Eye Gems is that
the artificial Cat's Eye will be too clear
and the Cat's Eye effect will be too marked.
But a closer examination under magnification
will show signs of a natural gem - like
small marks, grains of stone and the small
irregularies below the polished surface.
The lower part of a Cat's Eye is not polished
but only ground, so one can see the roughness
of the stone there.
PEARL Mukta
(for Moon)
 One
who possesses or wears a good pearl enjoys
the blessings of Laksmi, the goddess of
prosperity. This blessed one will live
long and become free of evil, developing
vitality and intelligence. He or she will
achieve much renown and come to a high
position due to the wisdom endowed by
the pearl.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The best pearls are moonlike, shining
white in colour, with a perfectly round,
globular shape. They should be compact,
with a high specific gravity, spotless
and free from blemishes. The appearance
should be lustrous and smooth. Pearls
may be white, giving spiritual gifts,
rosy, giving intelligence and power, yellow,
bringing material prosperity. Black pearls
are rare, but are not ideal for development.
Coppery or non-lustrous, dirty, cracked,
misshapen or otherwise defective pearls
should be avioided as they are inauspicious.
OCCURRENCE
Pearls are found in Sri Lanka, India,
Persian Gulf, Venezuela, Mexico and Australia.
Australian pearls are generally considered
less desirable. Sri Lankan perals are
considered the best, though pearls from
Bahrain are highly prized. In India the
best pearls come from Bay of Bengal and
fom Tuticorin in South India.
IDENTIFICATION
Pearls grow inside oysters and rarely
elsewhere (bamboo, cobra, conch etc).
Today cultured pearls are available which
may be distinguished from genuine pearls
by the bore, which is unifom in the genuine,
but thin at the start and wide in the
middle in the cultured pearl. Another
difference is the structure, which is
concentric in the genuine pearl, but parallel
in the cultured. Natural pearls are also
available. These are created like cultured
pearls by the intentional insertion of
foreign matter into the oyster, but mother-of-pearl
is used rather than glass bead. natural
pearls are better than cultured pearls,
but both are acceptable if a genuine pearl
is unavailable.
Imitation pearls made from fish scales
are also sold, but these are not suitable
for our purposes. Misshapen or otherwise
defective pearls are not suitable either,
although very small genuine pearls (too
small fo jewellery) may be powdered and
used for medicinal purposes.
One very important factor, which anyone
trying to identify a Gem should note,
is that some "faults" are always
present in a genuine Gem - their absence
and not their presence should be a cause
for concern. However, as a rule, any Gem
should be shaped in a pleasing manner,
lustrous, of pure colour and fine texture.
Pearls in particular should not be misshapen.
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