Gemstones are the integral part of Vedic astrology from the ancient times. Gemstones are generally prescribed by the Vedic astrologers as a remedial measure for removal of the ill impact of a malefic planet or to enhance the beneficial impacts of a benefic planet.
After thorough analysis of your Vedic horoscope, our celebrity astrologers will prescribe you the suitable gemstone as well as the other important factors like suitable weight, appropriate finger in which one has to wear the gemstone, appropriate day for wearing it and other important details
To cater you in the best way, we have following reports prepared by the team of our celebrity astrologers after the comprehensive analysis of your Vedic horoscope which is prepared on the basis of the birth data provided by you.
Natural Ruby
Ruby is the costliest Gemstone worn for Sun, emitting red cosmic ryes and infa-red radiation, makes and gives the subject active, smart, bestows high honour and social esteem, freedom from sight problems and eye defects/ailments. This Gemstone rules over bones, headaches, indigestion, fevers and colic. In short, the wearer will be generally favoured with good health, position and prestige, particularly making him/he free from any serious abnormalities or disease. Gem therapists, sculptors, artists, engineers, architects, legal experts, high court judges can wear Ruby Gemstone with a great advantage.
Natural Pearl
Pearls are organic gemstones that are formed by shelled molluscs; mainly bivalved oysters and mussels. Pearls are made up of nacre (mother-of-pearl) which is mostly aragonite (calcium carbonate) and conchiolin (complex proteins that form mollusc shells). The aragonite microcrystals build up around an irritant. The name “pearl” is said to have originated from the Middle English word “perle”, which in turn came from the Latin word “perna”, meaning “leg”, thought to be due to the ham-leg shape of the bivalve mollusc.
Natural pearls are extremely rare, incredibly expensive and typically small. Therefore people have developed ways to culture pearls, so that these beautiful gemstones can be enjoyed by many. In cultured pearls, some tissue or a mother-of-pearl bead is introduced into the mollusc shell. If successful, this process induces the animal to form a “pearl sac” whose cells secrete a layer of brownish protein called conchiolin over the irritant. This is followed by the secretion of numerous mineral layers of nacre composed of calcium carbonate in thin overlapping plates. Pearls can come from fresh or seawater molluscs. The beauty of pearls is that they can be plucked from the shell naturally beautiful, fully-formed and displaying perfect luster with no need to be cut or polished.
The oldest recorded reference to pearls in history is the 7,500 year-old “Umm Al Quwain Pearl”, which was found in a grave in a place that is now known as the UAE. Before pearls were cultured by man, they were harvested from the Persian Gulf, Sri Lankan waters, fresh water sources in China and the rivers of Europe. Later, Christopher Columbus discovered pearls in South America. When these natural pearls were almost depleted in the early twentieth century, the Chinese and Japanese began to culture pearls and the rest is history. Nowadays, pearls remain a treasured adornment and are cultured all around the world.
Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors. The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue. The main color, or bodycolor, is often modified by additional colors called overtones, which are typically pink (sometimes called rosé), green, purple, or blue. Some pearls also show the iridescent phenomenon known as orient.
This newly opened akoya pearl oyster reveals the cultured pearl that grew inside its gonad. This oyster’s scientific name is pinctada fucata (martensii).
Cultured pearls are popular for bead necklaces and bracelets, or mounted in solitaires, pairs, or clusters for use in earrings, rings, and pendants. Larger pearls with unusual shapes are popular with creative jewelry designers.
This multicolored necklace combines the beauty of Tahitian and South Sea cultured pearls. The scientific names of the oysters that produced them are, respectively, Pinctada margaritifera and Pinctada maxima. – Courtesy Frank Mastoloni & Sons, Inc.
Pearl—natural or cultured—is a US birthstone for June, together with alexandrite and moonstone.
Natural pearls form in the bodies, or mantle tissue, of certain mollusks, usually around a microscopic irritant, and always without human help of any kind.
The growth of cultured pearls requires human intervention and care. Today, most of the mollusks used in the culturing process are raised specifically for that purpose, although some wild mollusks are still collected and used.
This group of cultured pearls displays some of the exotic colors pearls can exhibit. – Blaire Beavers, courtesy Takayas Mizuno
To begin the process, a skilled technician takes mantle tissue from a sacrificed mollusk of the same species and inserts a shell bead along with a small piece of mantle tissue into a host mollusk’s gonad, or several pieces of mantle tissue without beads into a host mollusk’s mantle. If a bead is used, the mantle tissue grows and forms a sac around it and secretes nacre inward and onto the bead to eventually form a cultured pearl. If no bead is used, nacre forms around the individual implanted mantle tissue pieces. Workers tend the mollusks until the cultured pearls are harvested.
There are four major types of cultured whole pearls:
- Akoya—This type is most familiar to many jewelry customers. Japan and China both produce saltwater akoya cultured pearls.
- South Sea—Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are leading sources of these saltwater cultured pearls.
- Tahitian—Cultivated primarily around the islands of French Polynesia (the most familiar of these is Tahiti), these saltwater cultured pearls usually range from white to black.
- Freshwater—These are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds. They’re produced in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. China and the US are the leading sources.
Cultured pearls from Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, are grown in the Pinctada Maxima mollusk. This shell one is called gold-lipped because of the color of the outer rim of its mother-of-pearl layer.
Natural Red Coral
Red Coral is a precious, bright red organic gemstone formed in the deep sea by marine creatures called coral polyps (Corallium rubrum).
It is a popular astrological gemstone worn to treat Mangal dosha and ensure success in leadership roles, sports, business and health.
There is a small but important class of gemstones that are not really stones at all. Rather than being minerals with a crystalline structure, their origin is organic – they formed from biological processes, whether animal or vegetable. The class of organic gems is small but includes a number of unusual varieties that are important in the gem trade; amber, coral, jet, ivory and pearl.
Natural Red Coral
Coral is a branching skeleton-like structure built by small marine animals known as coral polyps. Gem-quality coral is related to reef-forming coral, but the most valuable coral variety is found in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and in coastal Japan. Colors vary and can be bright-red to dark-red, orange-red, orange-pink, pink, white, blue or black. Unworked coral is dull, but when polished, coral exhibits an attractive vitreous luster.
Precious coral is a species of coral that grows on rocky sea beds, typically in dark environments, either in the depths of the ocean or in dark caverns. The coral skeleton is composed of hard calcium carbonate colored by carotenoid pigments. Coral typically exhibits a range of warm reddish-pink colors ranging from salmon-pink to deep-red. The word ‘coral’ is also used to refer to such colors. However, gem-quality coral is also found in white, black and blue.
Due to its intense coloration and luster, precious coral has been harvested since antiquity for decorative use. Coral jewelry has been found in ancient Egyptian and prehistoric European burials. Most precious coral is harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, especially in Sardinia. Deposits are also found in the Pacific, in Japan, Taiwan and Australia.
Since coral is an organic material, it is not especially durable. Coral is reasonably hard, but not nearly as hard as many gemstones; it has a rating of only 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Coral is sensitive to heat, acid and high temperatures, and the color can fade slightly with wear. White and red coral has a specific gravity or density of 2.60 to 2.70 and a refractive index of 1.486 to 1.658. Coral is translucent to opaque.
Coral is polished with fine-grained sandstone and emery, and then finely polished with felt-wheels. It is used for beads, cabochons, ornamental objects and sculptures. You will sometimes see branch-like pieces that are drilled and strung on spiky necklaces.
Natural Emerald
Introduction to the Meaning and Uses of Emerald
St. Hildegard of Bingen, the noted lithologist, declared, “All the green of nature is concentrated within the Emerald.”[Megemont, 80-81] Representing youth in the age of man, the power of this lush crystal stirs the soul like the heart of spring, symbolizing hope and the future, renewal and growth. It is a Seeker of Love and a Revealer of Truth, inspiring an ongoing search for meaning, justice, compassion and harmony.
Called the “Stone of Successful Love,” Emerald opens and nurtures the heart and the Heart Chakra. Its soothing energy provides healing to all levels of the being, bringing freshness and vitality to the spirit. A stone of inspiration and infinite patience, it embodies unity, compassion and unconditional love. Emerald promotes friendship, balance between partners, and is particularly known for providing domestic bliss, contentment and loyalty. It was dedicated in the ancient world to the goddess Venus for its ability to insure security in love.
Emerald is also a stone of great vision and intuition, associated with the eyes and sight, long believed to foretell future events and reveal one’s truths. It is a stone of wisdom, enhancing memory and increasing mental clarity. It combines intelligence with discernment, and brings to the conscious mind what is unconsciously known. Emerald also increases focus and intent, activating psychic abilities and opening clairvoyance. Traditionally it was used as a protection against enchantment and spells.
Emerald has been a source of fascination and reverence in many cultures for over six thousand years, sold in the markets of Babylon as early as 4,000 B.C. It was a stone worshipped by the Incas, believed by the Chaldeans to contain a goddess, and was highly honored in all major religions for its spiritual power and beauty. Emerald was considered a symbol of eternal life in ancient Egypt, a gift of Thoth, the god of wisdom, and was a favorite jewel of Queen Cleopatra. The Emerald mines in Upper Egypt, rediscovered a hundred years ago, are some of the oldest in the world and were called Cleopatra’s mines for her love of the stone. Emeralds were also talismans of Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, and the moguls of India. They’ve adorned the crowns and royal jewels of many countries for centuries, and fabulous collections and stunning gems continue to be treasured and displayed by the rich and famous today.
The pure exuberance of Emerald’s green color has inspired the Pantone Company, the industry standard for print, fashion, beauty and décor to declare “Emerald” the 2013 Color of the Year, describing it as “Lively. Radiant. Lush…a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony
Natural, transparent Emerald is one of four “precious” gemstones (including Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire), and is the green variety of Beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate mineral colored by trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium. Emerald occurs in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green, with the finest being a pure verdant green hue, medium to dark in tone. Light colored gems are usually known by the species name, Green Beryl. Most Emeralds are highly included with surface breaking fissures, so their toughness, or resistance to breakage, is usually classified as generally poor.
According to Indian lore, the name Emerald was first translated from Sanskrit as Marakata, meaning “the green of growing things.” The term we use today is believed to derive from an ancient Persian word that translated to the Greek as Smaragdus, meaning “green stone,” the term used in antiquity and referred to a number of other green stones. Over time the Old French or Vulgar Latin versions, Esmeraulde, Esmaralda or Esmaraldus became the current name, Emerald.
While Emerald, the green variety of Beryl, may perhaps be the most famous of the family, Beryl also forms in other colors used as gems, such as blue Aquamarine, yellow Heliodor and Golden Beryl, pink Morganite, Red Beryl or Bixbite, and the colorless variety, Goshenite.
Emerald Uses and Purposes
Emerald is an excellent stone for reviving passion, whether for an interest, a person, or a job. To attract romantic love, wear or carry an Emerald out of sight near the heart. To call back an estranged love, speak the words you wish to say holding the stone close to your lips and seal it in an envelope. If appropriate, send it to the person with a message.
In tumblestone form, Emerald promotes good self-esteem, especially in restoring the confidence of young girls or teens that have been teased about their weight, or any young person made to feel inferior due to the inability to afford the latest designer goods.
While Emerald has a calming effect on the emotions, it has an invigorating effect on thought, reflection, and philosophy. It is a marvelous crystal for activating artistic creativity, and for bringing focus and intensity to one’s lifework.
Emerald is a remarkable support stone for the workplace. It increases mental acuity, strengthens memory and inspires eloquence in speech. Natural Emerald or tumblestone held for five minutes a day brings rapid recall of facts, and is ideal for occupations where visionary insight is a significant benefit. It enkindles success in business, especially for older women, and is particularly known for assistance in areas of legal affairs, trials and litigation.
Emerald brings a soothing mental and emotional equilibrium, making it extremely beneficial in stimulating cooperation and understanding within a group of people. It is also helpful in relieving claustrophobia.
Emerald Healing Therapies – Overview
(Please note: Information on this web site is no substitute for consulting a health care professional. All information contained on this web site, including information relating to medical and health conditions, products and treatments, is for informational purposes only. Please see your doctor or health care professional before starting any alternative treatments, diets, supplements or exercise programs.)
Emerald Physical Healing Energy
Emerald imparts a wonderful rejuvenating quality, thought to combat aging and when placed appropriately, to re-vitalize tired organs. It is a strong healer of the physical heart, and may be useful in treating the lungs, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and kidneys, as well as the spine and muscle system. It aids recovery after infectious illness, and its powerful green ray can assist healing of malignant conditions.
Emerald is considered to be the best gem for treating the eyes and for restoring eyesight. An eye bath of Emerald water is soothing to the eyes and may alleviate eye infections. Drinking an Emerald elixir is also reputed to soothe gas and cardiac weaknesses, and is an excellent stimulant in treating gout and strengthening memory. (We recommend the indirect method of preparation. This stone is believed to ward off epilepsy, and may be used to avert fever, headaches, allergies and sinusitis. It also relieves eczema, rashes and skin irritations. Emerald may be used to increase fertility and for support during childbirth.
Emerald Emotional Healing Energy
Emerald is a crystal of the heart, alleviating heaviness in the emotional field and nourishing the aura with an energy of hope, encouragement, gentleness and abundance. It heals heartbreak and gives the strength needed to overcome the misfortunes of life, clearing away negative patterns of victimization and loss of personal power by strengthening the physical and emotional heart centers. It is a stone of regeneration and recovery, bringing in freshness and vitality, love and compassion – for the self as well as for others.
Emerald Chakra Healing and Balancing Energy
Emerald is the stone which most represents the energy patterns of the activated Heart Chakra, the wellspring of the emotions. The Heart Chakra is located near the center of the breastbone. It regulates our interaction with the external world and controls what we embrace and what we resist, giving us the balancing ability to be ourselves within the environment. When the Heart Chakra is out of balance we may feel either controlling or controlled in a relationship, and become critical of the little foibles of others. We may find ourselves having inappropriately strong emotional responses to everyday external stimuli. Green crystal energy is used to resolve blockages and to re-balance the Heart Chakra, helping us understand our own needs and emotions clearly. We can deal with the ebbs and flows of emotional relationships, understand their cyclic nature, and accept the changes.
Emerald also stimulates the “high heart,” or transpersonal Love center just above and to the left of the Heart Chakra. It assists one in practicing compassion and respectful understanding of others.
Emerald Spiritual Energy
A stone of aspiration and inspiration, Emerald opens the heart, clearing and strengthening one’s connection to Divine Love, and sustaining one in their spiritual journey. It encourages one to live and act from the heart, offering unconditional love and compassion in daily life and relationships, and to be open to receive love from others.
A strong and open heart also allows universal blessings to flow into one’s life. Emerald stimulates not only the hope of wealth in material possessions and financial standing, but allows one to experience true abundance beyond mere wealth. Abundance is the ability to receive the gifts of Spirit within all of life’s experiences and embrace its manifestations with gratitude. It encourages trust that the Universe will provide for all of one’s needs and that there can be no lack in reality.
Emerald Color Energy
Emerald is the purest crystal of the Green Ray. It is a “growth crystal” – a powerful conduit of the earth’s Life Force of birth, development and creation, and of the power of nature’s constant renewal. It is a potent aid in nurturing, whether of fledgling family relationships or a new business venture. Emerald is perfect for keeping a venture on course, a project on schedule, and life on track. Lighter Green crystals promote spiritual growth and renewed commitment to a higher purpose. Those of a darker hue are talismans of physical growth and strength, and safety in travel.
Meditation with Emerald
Emerald helps one to embrace and maintain the rhythmic breathing conducive to entering and attaining depth in the meditative state. Once achieved, it assists in maintaining the cool brilliance of deliberate reflection and emitting the radiance of light.
Natural Yellow Sapphire
Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) is gemstone for Jupiter. Jupiter is the largest and heaviest planet among all planets in the solar system, and it is considered most important as per astrology. Pukhraj helps in fields such as teaching, politics, business and others. The gemstone is best for people of Sagittarius zodiac sign (Dhanu Rashi) and Pieces (Meena Rashi). Apart from that, if you need success in any business, wearing Pukhraj can help. The main source of Yellow Sapphire is Ceylon mines in Sri Lanka.
Pukhraj is the Hindi name for yellow sapphire, though it is also used (or misused) in India to refer to the more common yellow topaz or citrine. The exact meaning of pukhraj is important because yellow sapphire has a special place in Vedic astrology. According to the Vedic tradition, there are nine gemstones that are thought to have special significance; ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, and hessonite garnet. These nine gemstones are thought to correspond to astrological entities and activity, with yellow sapphire being the gem associated with Guru or Jupiter, the largest graha or planet in the solar system.
Jupiter is believed to be an auspicious planet and is connected to wisdom, knowledge, good fortune, wealth, power and status. If Jupiter is well-placed in your horoscope, it is thought that you will enjoy all the good things in life. However, if Jupiter is in a bad position, it is considered to have the opposite effect. So it is often recommended that people wear yellow sapphire to increase the beneficial effects of Jupiter or negate the tribulations caused by a poorly-placed Jupiter. In particular, it is recommended that people born under the signs of Sagittarius or Pisces always wear yellow sapphire.
Yellow sapphire is thought to attract wealth and bring prosperity to the family. In general, pukhraj is believed to bring fulfillment of ambition. For example, it is believed that a girl who wears yellow sapphire will marry early on in life (which is considered an advantage in many Asian societies). People aspiring to administrative and political positions should wear it to give them the benefit of luck on their side. It is also thought to act as a protective charm. Those who find obstruction in the progress of their education, or those who suffer from loss of property should wear yellow sapphire to help remove their difficulties. It is also said to aid in elimination of impurities from the body and stimulation of the lymphatic system. Astrologists recommend yellow sapphire to treat liver and gallbladder problems as well as disorders of the spleen and stomach.
There are several recommendations for wearing yellow sapphire. It is suggested that the sapphire be set in gold, and be worn starting on a Thursday, within an hour of sunrise. If set in a gemstone ring, the ring should be worn on the index finger of the right hand (for right-handed people). It is very important that the sapphire is of high quality. The theory is that the larger and cleaner the stone, the better the results. An inferior gem is thought to cause more problems than it solves. For example, it is believed that a stone with cracks invites threats, and one with poor luster and transparency creates enemies and causes disharmony in the family.
Natural Diamond
Diamond forms under high temperature and pressure conditions that exist only about 100 miles beneath the earth’s surface. Diamond’s carbon atoms are bonded in essentially the same way in all directions. Another mineral, graphite, also contains only carbon, but its formation process and crystal structure are very different. Graphite is so soft that you can write with it, while diamond is so hard that you can only scratch it with another diamond.
Diamond Description
Diamond History & Lore
Diamond Journey
Diamond Description
Diamond’s characteristic chemical composition and crystal structure make it a unique member of the mineral kingdom.
Diamond is the only gem made of a single element: It is typically about 99.95 percent carbon. The other 0.05 percent can include one or more trace elements, which are atoms that aren’t part of the diamond’s essential chemistry. Some trace elements can influence its color or crystal shape.
The way a mineral forms helps determine its identity. Diamond forms under high temperature and pressure conditions that exist only within a specific depth range (about 100 miles) beneath the earth’s surface. Diamond’s crystal structure is isometric, which means the carbon atoms are bonded in essentially the same way in all directions. Another mineral, graphite, also contains only carbon, but its formation process and crystal structure are very different. The result is that graphite is so soft that you can write with it, while diamond is so hard that you can only scratch it with another diamond.
Diamonds have a long history as beautiful objects of desire. In the first century AD, the Roman naturalist Pliny stated: “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”
Diamond Histroy & Lore
A diamond has to go through a lot before it reaches the jeweler’s display case. It forms deep in the earth under extreme heat and pressure. It’s ejected violently upward until it arrives at or near the earth’s surface. It’s forced from its hiding place by nature or by man. Then it’s cleaved and cut and polished until its natural beauty shines through.
The world’s love of diamonds had its start in India, where diamonds were gathered from the country’s rivers and streams. Some historians estimate that India was trading in diamonds as early as the fourth century BC. The country’s resources yielded limited quantities for an equally limited market: India’s very wealthy classes. Gradually, though, this changed. Indian diamonds found their way, along with other exotic merchandise, to Western Europe in the caravans that traveled to Venice’s medieval markets. By the 1400s, diamonds were becoming fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite.
In the early 1700s, as India’s diamond supplies began to decline, Brazil emerged as an important source. Diamonds were discovered in the pans of gold miners as they sifted through the gravels of local rivers. Once it reached its full potential, Brazil dominated the diamond market for more than 150 years.
While sources changed, the diamond market experienced its own evolution. The old ruling classes—diamonds’ biggest consumers—were in decline by the late 1700s. Political upheavals like the French Revolution led to changes in the distribution of wealth.
The 1800s brought increasing affluence to western Europe and the United States. Explorers unearthed the first great South African diamond deposits in the late 1800s just as diamond demand broadened.
The story of the modern diamond market really begins on the African continent, with the 1866 discovery of diamonds in Kimberley, South Africa. Entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes established De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited 22 years later, in 1888. By 1900, De Beers, through its mines in South Africa, controlled an estimated 90 percent of the world’s production of rough diamonds.
The South African sources affected many segments of the diamond industry. This was especially true as diamond mining moved from the surface to farther underground. Because of the huge costs and comparatively low yields involved, the new sources forced the development of more efficient mining techniques. They created the need for better marketing. They also led to advances in cutting and polishing—advances that increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced the appearance of finished stones.
In the 1870s, annual production of rough diamond was well under a million carats. By the 1920s, the figure was around three million carats. Fifty years later, annual production approached 50 million carats, and in the 1990s it surpassed 100 million carats per year.
At the end of the 1970s, the world’s most important rough diamond producers were South Africa, Zaire (now renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo), and the former Soviet Union. In the 1980s, output of higher-quality diamonds from Russia and South Africa remained relatively constant, but Zaire’s production of lower-quality diamonds more than doubled.
In 1982, a highly productive new mine in Botswana added to world production. A prolific source of high-quality diamonds, the Jwaneng mine boosted Botswana’s production so much that the country rose to third in the world in total diamond recovery, and second in diamond value. De Beers contracted with Botswana’s government to buy the mine’s production and Botswana set out to build its own diamond-cutting industry.
World diamond mining expanded dramatically with the discovery of sources in Australia in 1985 and important new deposits in northern Canada in 2000.
The market probably changed as much after 1990 as it did in the years after the 1866 discovery of diamonds in South Africa and the establishment of De Beers. The 1990s brought exciting new sources and encouraged the dramatic growth of some cutting centers. All this was happening as the world economy fluctuated wildly.
As one of the trade’s major participants, De Beers had to change, too. The De Beers of today bears little resemblance to the De Beers of 1989. The company greatly reduced its role as the custodian of diamond supply. Instead of flowing into the market in a single-channel path from De Beers, diamonds now flow into the market through multiple channels.
Not everything changed, though. Regardless of the path they take, diamonds still flow from mines through cutting centers, and ultimately to retail customers.
Diamond’s splendor has been appreciated for centuries, but there was not much scientific knowledge about it before the twentieth century. Since then, diamond knowledge has grown steadily, with research by chemists, physicists, geologists, mineralogists, and oceanographers. In the past 50 years alone, scientists have learned a lot about how diamonds form and how they’re transported to the earth’s surface. That knowledge has made it easier to predict locations for new diamond discoveries.
Diamond Journey
Few people outside the gem industry realize the true nature of a gemstone’s journey from the mine to the counter of a store. Whether the gem is being offered to consumer’s at a traditional jewelry store’s counter, an internet shopping site, or a television broadcast the journey always involves a great deal of effort. Tons of earth and countless hours of labor are needed to being a gem from mine to market.
Natural Cat’s Eye
Cat’s Eye describes a gemstone polished into a cabochon that displays a narrow band of concentrated light going accross the width of the stone. This effect, known as chatoyancy, or cat’s eye effect, is caused by inclusions of fine, slender parallel mineral fibers in the gemstone that reflect light in a single band. Of all the gemstones that exhibit cat’s eye, Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye is the best known. Chrysoberyl has the strongest and most distinct cat’s eye effect of all gemstones. Though several different gemstones types exhibit a cat’s eye effect, only Chrysoberyl’s cat’s eye enjoys the privilege of having the name “Cat’s Eye” without any prefix. Whenever the term “Cat’s Eye” is used, it refers to Chrysoberyl cat’s eye by default, unless otherwise specified.
Natural Blue Sapphire
About Sapphire – History and Introduction
Sapphire is a gem quality variety of the mineral corundum. It is the second hardest substance on earth after diamond, rating 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Corundum itself is not a very rare mineral, but gem quality corundum is extremely rare. Most corundum is opaque to translucent and heavily included, suitable only for industrial use, including the production of abrasives used for sandpaper and machining of metal, plastics and wood. The name corundum comes from the Sanskrit word kuruvindam, meaning “ruby sapphire”, while the name sapphire comes from the Persian word safir, derived from the Greek word for blue. In times of antiquity and the Middle Ages, the term sapphire actually referred to lapis lazuli, but in the early 19th century, the description and definition of sapphire was changed to the corundum variety we know today.
While blue is the most traditional and classic color for sapphire, sapphire is actually found in a variety of different colors. Most natural sapphire is quite pale and light in color. Only a small percentage of natural sapphire exhibits vivid and intense colors without some type of treatment or enhancement, the most common being heat-treatment. For many years, only blue sapphire was recognized as ‘true’ sapphire. Today, all colors of gem quality corundum are known as sapphire, with exception to red corundum, which is classified as ruby. There is no definitive demarcation between red ruby and sapphire; in most cases, near-red sapphire would be classed as inferior colored ruby. Thus, it is common practice to trade near-red sapphire as a quality fancy color sapphire, rather than as a lower grade ruby.
Colored sapphire (other than blue) is often referred to as fancy sapphire, and fancy sapphire is typically traded using color-specific names, such as yellow sapphire, green sapphire or purple sapphire. In the past, there were several misleading names used for fancy sapphire varieties, most of which are no longer used, such as ‘Oriental peridot’, a term which was used to refer to green sapphire.
Identifying Sapphire
Sapphire is any form of gem-quality corundum, other than red (ruby). It is the second hardest mineral on earth next to diamond. Sapphire lacks cleavage, but can exhibit a conchoidal, uneven fracture. Chemically, sapphire is an aluminum oxide with a specific gravity or density ranging from 3.95 to 4.03 depending on the specific sapphire variety. Its refractive index ranges from 1.762 to 1.788 and its crystals can exhibit a weak level of double refraction or birefringence (0.008). Sapphire belongs to the trigonal crystal system, structured with three planes of symmetry and four axes. The exact crystal form depends on the specific variety and origin. Owing to sapphire’s superior hardness and durability, it’s nearly unmistakable, despite the fact that there are several other gem types that occur with similar colors and luster. Some of the most easily confused gem types include spinel, zircon, beryl, tourmaline and chrysoberyl.
Sapphire; Origin and Sources
Sapphire is found in only a few locations in the world. The three most famous regions for blue sapphire are Kashmir, Burma and Sri Lanka. Sapphire has also been mined in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and India. As of 2007, Madagascar has been leading the world in sapphire production, though Sri Lanka continues to be the only steady producer of fine quality blue sapphire. Sri Lanka and Madagascar produce sapphires in a wide range of colors and whilst Sri Lanka has been a known sapphire source for centuries, sapphire deposits in Madagascar were only recently discovered in 1998. The enormous deposits found in the village of Ilakaka came as a big surprise and led to a gemstone fever reminiscent of the 19th century Californian gold rush. Today, Madagascar and Tanzania are considered to be two of the most important sapphire sources. Australia is also known for significant sapphire deposits, though most Australian sapphire is known to form rather dark in color. In the USA, there are small sapphire deposits found throughout Montana and North Carolina.
The finest quality blue sapphire, based on past auction prices, comes from Kashmir and Mogok, Burma. The finest Kashmir and Burmese sapphires display superb color and clarity without any thermal (heat) treatment. In recent times, limited resources in Burma have led miners to focus on more plentiful Burmese ruby. Some Sri Lankan (Ceylonese) sapphires are also unheated, but nowadays, the majority of sapphires have been heated, diffused or fracture-filled to improve color and clarity, regardless of their origin. The Kashmir mines, high up in the Himalayas, have produced spectacular world-renowned gems, but since the 1920s, virtually no new material has been found. The rare, fine blue sapphires of Pailin, Cambodia were also very highly regarded by gem traders throughout the world. Pailin sapphires ranged in color from light to deep blue, but they possessed a distinctive purity and intensity of color that was unlike any other sapphire sources. Many gem traders graded them as close in quality to Kashmir and Burmese sapphires; and certainly superior to Sri Lankan (Ceylonese), Thai, American, Vietnamese, Indian, African and Australian sapphires.
Almost all the sapphires from around the world are cut and processed in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Along with Kanchanaburi and Trat, Chanthaburi was once one of main sources for Thai sapphire. Sapphire mining in Chanthaburi is mostly finished now, though there are a few small private mining locations scattered throughout the province. There is also a large market for Thai star sapphires that exhibit distinctive golden six-rayed stars. The golden black star sapphire is found nowhere else in the world. Nowadays, Chanthaburi, Thailand has become the main processing and trading center for almost all of the world’s sapphires, rubies and other colored gemstones.
Buying Sapphire and Determining Sapphire Value
Sapphire Color
Blue is indeed the best-known and the most valuable of sapphire colors. The prized Kashmir and Burmese sapphires have a deep blue that is described as both intense and velvety. These sapphires are not often seen on the market today. Sri Lankan and Madagascar sapphires are the most common today, with a wide range of colors from light blue to dark blue. With blue sapphire, the intensity of blue is the most important factor. For example, a huge sapphire with a washed-out, weak blue color is much less valuable than a much smaller stone of excellent color. An intense, rich pure cornflower blue that is not too dark or too ‘inky’ is the most desirable color. Overall, sapphires that are too dark or too light in color are less valuable, but light-blue sapphires often have greater brilliance that is rarely found in darker blue stones. Colorless sapphires are actually quite rare, since most stones will exhibit some faint hints of color. In the gem trade, when referring to sapphire, blue sapphire is the official designation; all other colors, including pink, green, orange, purple and white sapphire, are referred to as ‘fancy sapphire’.
Sapphire colors are best viewed under natural daylight. In artificial or incandescent light, sapphire colors can appear darker and inky black-blue. Many may even appear redder and less attractive than they really are. Sapphire colors are a result of trace impurities. The coloring agents found in blue sapphire are typically iron and titanium. Violet stones are colored by vanadium. Pink sapphire and purple sapphire are often colored by iron and titanium impurities. Most yellow sapphire is naturally on the lighter side. It is through heat treatment that a more intense yellow golden color is produced. Beryllium-treated sapphire may result in brilliant bright yellow. Small traces of iron can cause yellowish and greenish hues in stones. Chromium is known to produce fine pinks (and red in ruby), whilst iron and vanadium together can produce lovely orange stones. Padparadscha sapphire is a very rare sapphire with a pinkish-orange hue. A true padparadscha will always have a hint of pink. Many ‘green’ sapphires consist of fine alternating bands of blue and yellow sapphire, which are visible under a microscope.
Sapphire Clarity and Luster
Sapphire can occur transparent to opaque. Transparent materials are the most valuable. Some translucent materials are cut into beads or cabochons. Opaque materials have very little gemstone value, although they may sometimes be used for ornamental carvings. Sapphires are generally cleaner than ruby, so it is best to look for stones that are eye-clean. Eye-clean stones in larger sizes are quite rare, especially in ideal colors. In some cases, extremely fine silk throughout the stone can enhance the value of some sapphires. The famous sapphires from Kashmir have a velvety blue color which is caused by this fine silk. This same silk causes the asterism seen in star sapphires. However, too much silk weakens the color, rendering it an undesirable grayish color. The rutile needles that are responsible for the silky shine reflect the light in sixty-degree angles. If the rutile needles are perfectly aligned in the same direction, the inclusions can result in six-rayed asterism when cut en cabochon and viewed under strong light. Sapphire exhibits an attractive vitreous luster.
Sapphire Cut and Shape
Various shapes and cutting styles are common with sapphires. Ovals, cushions, and rounds are commonly seen, as are other shapes, such as fancy hearts, pears and emerald cuts. Round stones can command very high premiums, especially in diamond-cut calibrated stones weighing 1 carat or more. Cabochons are common for translucent stones or for stones with visible inclusions. Briolettes, beads and tumbled sapphire can also be found, but is usually lower grade material.
Natural Hessonite(Gomedh)
Hessonite, also known as the ‘cinnamon stone’, is a golden orange variety of grossular garnet.
The shadow planet Rahu is supposed to be responsible for all sorts of delays or very late fulfillment of ambitions. Hessonite stone or Gomedh can help in achieving speedy success in less time than expected. Hessonite or Gomedh also improves dealing with people and protects its wearer from sudden misfortunes. This is normally reddish-chocolate in color. Hessonite gemstone or 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.
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 OF HEASSONITE
This Gem contains inclusions which look like scattered islands or flat bubbles. The color 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.
WEARING METHOD OF HESSONITE / GOMEDH
It’s very important before wearing any gemstone we should know it’s methods and importance for every stone. Wash it with water, Fresh Milk and chanting Mantra “Om Raam Rahve Namaha. Wednesday & Saturday are most preferable day to wear this gemstone. The best time to wear a hessonite or Gomed ring is two hours after the sunset.
Natural White Sapphire
White sapphires are completely colorless sapphires. A sapphire receives its color from the trace elements present within the earth when the crystal is forming. White sapphires are quite rare; they are completely untouched by trace elements. White sapphires are excellent alternatives to diamonds for engagement rings as they are less expensive and very durable.
White Sapphire (Safed Pukhraj) is gemstone for Venus. Venus is known as the planet of love, beauty, relationship, and it is considered as the most beautiful planet among all planets in solar system. The gemstone is suitable for people who want to excel in the field of media and jewellery. People of Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi) zodiac sign and Libra (Tula Rashi) can purchase White Sapphire to get maximum success. Also, if you require help during ‘Venus period,’ you can wear this gemstone. The main source of White Sapphire is Sri Lanka Ceylon mines.
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