Navaratnas and their Astrological Significance

Navaratna is a Sanskrit word which means "nine gems". Jewelry created in this style has important cultural significance in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, and among other religions. Yet such importance is given to this combination of nine gems that they are recognized as sacred and royal in almost all the countries. In Thailand, the Navaratna is officially recognized as a national and royal symbol of the king.

The traditional setting and arrangement of these nine gems is shown in the illustration. A ruby (representing the Sun) is always in the center, surrounded (clockwise from the top) by a diamond, a natural pearl, red coral, hessonite, a blue sapphire, cat's eye, a yellow sapphire, and an emerald. This is the same placement as the Nava-graha Yantra.
                                       

The placement of the navagrahas in one’s horoscope supposedly has an influence throughout an individual's life. Wearing the nine gems is said to provide an astrological balance and benefit to the wearer. Hindu astrology also says that these gems potentially may have both positive and negative influences on human life, and that astrological gems should be worn only after consulting a Vedic astrologer.
                             
Every sign of the zodiac is ruled by a planet and every planet has an associated gemstone, which in turn has the powers to harness the power of the cosmic rays associated with that particular planet and elevate a individual’s emotional, mental and materials status.

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Article by
Keerthana nayak k
Jewellery instructor

This Article Will Boost Your Knowledge About Fire Opals: Read Or Miss Out!

Fire Opal" is a term used for colorful, transparent to translucent opal with a background color of fire-like hue. Fire opals are unique in the lush world of the opals. They were already admired as symbol of love in ancient times, in India. Fire opals possess either flaming-orange or cherry-red body color that is uniform and solid as opposed to the iridescent streaks, patches or flecks of color.  That’s why the term “fire” is used.

The most significant fire opal deposits in the world lie in Mexico. Rock strata containing opals run through the Mexican highlands, with their many extinct volcanoes. With a few exceptions, the gemstone, which lies hidden in cavities and crevices, is extracted in open-cast mines.  Their warm, expressive orange comes in all varieties from yellow to light red, sometimes with a brownish undertone.

                     
Fire opals are either faceted - as far as their transparency allows - or cut as a cabochon, since this is the shape which best brings out the rich glow of this orange jewel. It is the oval which is regarded as the classical shape for valuable fire opals.
                                                 
Play of colour, body colour and transparency are the three criteria which determine the price of a fire opal. The more transparency and 'fire' it has, and the more intense the deep red of its body color, the more valuable it will be. Their warm, fiery color gives us vigor, fills us with the joys of life and opens our senses to the beauty of Nature.

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Article by
Keerthana Nayak K
Jewellery Instructor