The nine gemstones, and which one is actually yours
The Navaratna are the nine stones of the nine grahas. Each page below says what the stone is for, how it is traditionally worn, and — the part usually left out — who should be careful with it. For several of these, the honest answer for most people is no.
We do not sell gemstones. Astro Ratan reads your chart and tells you whether a stone is indicated — including, often, that none is. There is nothing here to buy and nobody to be referred to.
Yellow Sapphire · Pukhraj
Jupiter's stone — the most commonly recommended in India, and the one most often recommended without looking at a chart.
Blue Sapphire · Neelam
Saturn's stone — the fastest-acting and the most cautioned of the nine. The honest answer for most people is no.
Ruby · Manik
The Sun's stone — associated with authority, vitality and being seen. Rarely subtle.
Pearl · Moti
The Moon's stone — the gentlest of the nine, associated with emotional steadiness and sleep.
Red Coral · Moonga
Mars's stone — courage and drive, and the one most often sold on the back of manglik fear.
Emerald · Panna
Mercury's stone — intellect, speech and commerce. Popular with students and traders, for good classical reason.
Diamond · Heera
Venus's stone — comfort, harmony and refinement. The most expensive of the nine, and the one with the best substitute.
Hessonite · Gomed
Rahu's stone — prescribed for confusion, obstruction and kaal sarp fear. Rarely a first resort.
Cat's Eye · Lehsunia
Ketu's stone — the least worn of the nine, and the one most tied to a specific period rather than a person.
A stone is chosen from a chart, never from a sign
A gemstone strengthens a planet — so the question is whether strengthening that planet helps you. That depends on which houses it rules from your ascendant, its dignity, and the period you are running. The same graha is a benefic for some ascendants and a malefic for others, which is why a stone chosen from a sun sign or a birth month is chosen without the information that decides it.
