Navaratna: The nine gems

Navaratna is a Sanskrit word that means "nine gems." It refers to a group of nine specific gemstones that are believed to have healing and astrological powers. The Navaratna are considered to be auspicious in many cultures and are often used in jewelry and other decorative items.

The use of Navaratna gemstones is a common practice in Indian astrology, where they are often used to create astrological charts and predict future events. It is believed that the Navaratna gemstones can help to balance the energies of the planets, and wearing them can promote good health, prosperity, and happiness.

The nine gems, the Navaratna are

1. Ruby (Manikya)
2. Pearl (Moti)
3. Red Coral (Moonga)
4. Emerald (Panna)
5. Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj)
6. Diamond (Heera)
7. Blue Sapphire (Neelam)
8. Hessonite (Gomedh)
9. Cat's Eye (Lehsunia)

Each of the Navaratna gemstones is associated with a specific planet, and it is believed that wearing the gemstone can have a positive impact on the corresponding planet's energy. For example, wearing a Ruby is believed to strengthen the power of the Sun, while wearing a Blue Sapphire is believed to strengthen the power of Saturn. In addition to their astrological and healing properties, the Navaratna gemstones are also highly valued for their beauty and rarity. They are often used in jewelry, where they are set in gold or silver and worn as pendants, rings, bracelets, or earrings. The combination of the nine gemstones is believed to be especially powerful, and jewelry that features all nine gemstones is highly sought after. The concept of Navaratna has been around for centuries, and it has played an important role in many cultures. In Hinduism, the Navaratna is associated with the Navagrahas, or the nine celestial bodies that influence human life. In Buddhism, the Navaratna is associated with the Nine Jewels of Buddhism, which are the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, Bodhisattva, Pratimoksha, Prajna, Upaya, Samadhi, and Karuna. The Navaratna gemstones are also used in traditional medicine, where they are believed to have healing properties. The gemstones are often ground into a fine powder and mixed with other herbs and spices to create medicinal remedies. For example, the Navaratna gemstones are often used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a range of ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

Modern Era

During the modern era, gemstones continued to be highly valued, and many new techniques for cutting and polishing gems were developed. In the 19th century, diamonds were discovered in South Africa, which led to a huge increase in the availability of diamonds and a corresponding decrease in their value. Despite this, gemstones continued to be highly prized, and many new gemstones were discovered and became popular. Some of the most famous gemstones from the modern era include the Hope Diamond, which is a deep blue diamond that is believed to have been discovered in India in the 17th century. The diamond passed through many hands and is now part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection.