Gems or precious stones have fascinated
mankind since ancient times. India is no
exception to this rule. The role played
by precious and semi-precious stones in
Indian mythology and society is vital.
Precious stones not only adorned the items
associated with royalty, but along with
gold they were considered valuable gifts.
Ancient rulers used to exchange gifts in
the form of gems and semi-precious stones.
Wars were often fought to seize gems and
stones, which formed an important part of
the booty extracted from the defeated ruler.
In India people for astrological reasons
have used gems as it is considered that
various planets influence them, which in
turn influence human life cycle and human
destiny. Gems are also used in preparation
of some Ayurvedic medicines.
Hindu mythology has classified gems into
three groups: gems belonging to heaven (Swarg
lok), gems belonging to earth (Mrityu lok)
and gems belonging to hell (Patal lok).
In India people for astrological reasons
have used gems as it is considered that
various planets influence them, which in
turn influence human life cycle and human
destiny. Gems are also used in preparation
of some Ayurvedic medicines.
Hindu mythology has classified gems into
three groups: gems belonging to heaven (Swarg
lok), gems belonging to earth (Mrityu lok)
and gems belonging to hell (Patal lok).
The gems belonging to heaven are worn by
gods. The four important gems belonging
to Swarg lok are:
Brahma (the creator) wears Chintamani a
white stone.
Vishnu (the preserver) is adorned with
Kaustubhamani a bright gem, which is lotus
coloured and which radiates rays like the
Sun.
Shiv (the destroyer) is associated with
Rudramani, a golden gem.
Indra (the ruler of Swarg lok) wears a
brilliant blue gem, Syamantakamani.
The patala lok and its inhabitant's serpants
and demons have their own precious stones
in black, blue, yellow, green, white, red,
pink and milky colors. All gems and semi-precious
stones known to man form the gems from mrityu
lok or earth.
Although traditional Indian gemologists
have identified 84 precious and semi-precious
stones, amongst them 9 stones namely: Ruby,
Emerald, Pearl, Diamond, Red coral, Zircon,
Blue sapphire, Yellow sapphire, Cat's Eye
form the Navratnas or nine gems.
Navratnas
Ruby: Pink red colored stone, known for
its brilliance and radiance. Usually made
up of crystals of six sided prisms. It is
highly valued as it is said to represent
the Sun god (Surya), who is the master of
the universe. This stone signifies power,
authority, good health, father etc and is
said to have a positive effect on the health
and destiny of a person wearing it. Jewelry
and ornaments studded with ruby are very
costly.
Emerald: Bright green colored stone. It
is the representative of plant Mercury (Budh)
and affects knowledge and learning. Like
ruby, flawless and radiant emeralds are
considered the best. Rajasthan is known
for emerald mining. Udaipur and Ajmer are
main centers of emerald mining. Emeralds
from Udaipur are dark and hard, while the
ones from Ajmer are pale. Emeralds are used
in Kundan jewelry and the green colored
Meenakari done on the reverse side of the
ornaments often matches their brilliance.
Pearl: A spherical organic material, obtained
from oysters. Pearls come in a variety of
shades ranging from white, off white, pink,
red, brown, creamy etc. In traditional Indian
astrology it holds an important place and
is referred to as the queen of the sea and
represents the moon god (Chandra). Pearl
is said to have a soothing affect on the
person wearing it and signifies purity and
dignity. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are
main pearl fishing centers. Traditional
necklaces, earrings etc made out of pearls
form the traditional jewelry traditions
of Maharashtra and Hyderabad.
Diamond: It is the hardest known material
found on earth and the most precious of
all stones. It is graded according to its
color, size, hardness and the degree of
refraction.
The diamond represents Venus or Sukra and
it brings beauty, wealth, and prosperity
to the person wearing it. The state of Gujarat
in general and Surat in particular is known
for diamond cutting and polishing worldwide.
8 out of every 10 diamonds used in jewelry
worldwide have been cut and polished in
India.
Red coral: Coral is obtained from coral
reefs and generally comes in red or vermilion
color. It is made up of organic material
from dead minute sea organisms. It represents
planet Mars or Mangal and controls activity,
energy, ambition and dynamism. Red coral
is often worn in necklaces, amulets and
rings. The coastal regions of India are
known for ornaments made from red coral.
Zircon: A smoked red or dark honey colored
stone. Chemically it is a silicate of zirconium
and crystal and occurs as a four-sided prism.
It is also known as Gomedha, which represents
Rahu, the ascending node of the moon. In
India it is found in Kashmir, Bihar, Kullu,
Shimla and Coimbatore. It is representative
of worldly desires and aspirations, laziness
etc. It is not considered auspicious and
is worn to ward the evil effects of Rahu,
which is also known as 'head of the celestial
dragon'.
Blue sapphire: A navy blue brilliant stone.
It is also referred to as Neelam and represents
planet Saturn or Sani. It influences on
one hand good things like long life, ambition,
prosperity, leadership, wealth etc and misery,
accident, failure, adversity on the other
hand. As the effect of this stone is highly
temperamental, it should be worn under proper
guidance of the astrologer. The best and
the brightest blue sapphires come from Kashmir
and are called 'mayur neelam' because of
their peacock blue colour.
Yellow sapphire: A yellow or pale white
stone. It is also known as Pushparaj and
represents planet Jupiter or Guru. It signifies
knowledge, philosophy, religion, virtue,
future, distant travel etc. It is said that
the person wearing yellow sapphire is bound
to have a increase in his mental and intellectual
abilities.
Cat's Eye: It is yellow or black colored
stone with a shining band, which is similar
to the eye of a cat. It also known as sutramani
and vaidurya. Cat's eye represents Ketu
or 'tail of the celestial dragon', the descending
node of the moon god (Chandra). Its influences
are similar to those of Mars or Mangal and
include ascetism, liberation, enlightenment,
non-attachment etc. In India this gem is
found in Tiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
Traditional Indian gemologists have identified
84 important gems, some of the important
ones being:
Aabri : a black-coloured stone.
Ahwa : rose colored.
Alaimani : brown in color, belongs
to the Suleimani family. The word translates
as'temple bell' in Tamil.
Amleeya: dark rose, used for making
mortars.
Banshi : a soft, green stone.
Bairooz : aquamarine, light green.
Chadrakantamani : or godanta or moon
stone, as the names suggest, has the color
of white cloud or the tooth of a
cow.
There is the glistening band which rolls
when the stone is turned.
Chitti : golden-colored, with a stripe.
Dana phirang : kidney stone, light
green in color.
Darchana : color of the yellow pulse.
Dhedi : black, used for making crockery.
Door : dark brown, also used for
mortar.
Dantla : yellow.
Durvenjphj : color of unripe paddy.
Ghunela : smoky quartz, also gold
in color.
Gouri : comes in various color, often
has white stripes, used for making measuring
weight for jewellers.
Halan : its pink color moves when
the stone is moved .
Haquiq-al-bahar: has it for making
eye medicines.
Haree: black-brownish, used for making
rosaries.
Hawas: green with a golden tinge.
Jabarjad: light green pari dot.
Jamuniya or kataila: amethyst, light
or dark purple in colour, also a birthstone.
Jajemani: also of the suleimani family,
brown in color with a white stripe.
Jhana: a very soft stone which even
water can destroy.
Kehruva: amber, dull wheatish.
Kasauti: lit. Tough stone use to
test the purity of gold.
Kamala: dull white with a green tinge.
Khara: greenish, used for making
mortar.
Kudrat: black with yellow and white
spots.
Lalri: the color of the rose, also
called gulabi.
Ludhia : red stone.
Lajvart: lapis lazuli; a soft blue
stone known in the west as the blue sapphire.
Laroo: a kind of marvar stone.
Liliar: black, used in mortar.
Mariyam: of shining white color.
Makanatees: lodestone, also called
chakmak, its color ranges from white to
black.
Margaj: jade, green inexpensive opaque
stone with astrological signifcance.
Marvar: in three colors, red white
and offwhite.
Makra: meaning spider, the black
stone has the impress of a spider's web.
Moosa: dusty white, used for making
bowls.
Naram: a dark yellow-red spinel ruby.
Neeli: a soft stone which resembles
the blue sapphire.
Opal : opal, a popular multi-hued
sparkling gem.
Phiroza: turquoise.
Pitania: blood stone, green with
blood red spots.
Panghan: black, used for making toys.
Para zahar: color of white bamboo,
has great medicinal properties, properties,
healsheals wounds quickly.
Parasmani: a legendry stone very
rarely seen, it is said to have an ability
to turn base metals in to gold. Alchemist's
stone of western legends.
Romni: soft black red-stone.
Rawaat: red and blue, both with medicinal
properties.
Sitara: gold stone; orange red with
specks of gold, very soft and brittle.
Sphatik: rock crystal, shining white.
Cut finely ,this resembles white topaz.
Sindooria: light pink.
Savore: green with white stripe.
Sangson: white with impress of a
tree.
Sang-basri: used for making surma.
Sangeeya: white stone.
Sifiri: a mixture of green and sky
blue.
Seengli: belongs to the ruby family
but is softer and less expensive, the color
tending towards black.
Seeya: black, often used for sculpture.
Seemark: red with yellowish tinge,
used for making mortar in which medicines
are triturated.
Seer khadi: gypsum, dusty appearance,
used for making toys.
Sohan makhkhi: looks like white clay,
considered effective in curing urinary troubles.
Surma: lit.khol, to line the eyes,
black.
Sunehal: topaz, also called citrine;
golden topaz is most attractive.
Surma: black with a white stripe.
Turmali: tourmaline, soft stone in
a range of color, has great astrological
significance.
Tamda : garnet, black, redor maroon,
almost popular semi-precious stone.
Tarawa : soft yellow-red.
