Ratna
Gemstone Recommendation
Which stone to wear is decided by your Lagna, not by the Sun sign: only the Lagna lord, Yogakaraka and functional benefics should be strengthened.
Your personal gemstone advice
Navaratna reference
Ruby
- Weight
- 3-6 carats (not less than 3 ratti); a common rule of thumb is about 1 carat per 10-12 kg of body weight
- Metal
- Gold or copper
- Finger
- Ring finger of the right (working) hand
- Day & time
- Sunday, preferably in Shukla paksha (waxing Moon), Within about an hour after sunrise, during the Sun's hora
- Substitutes
- Red Garnet (Tamda), Red Spinel (Lalri), Sunstone
On Saturday night keep the ring in raw cow's milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Sunday morning, after bathing, rinse it in clean water, place it on a red cloth before an image of Surya, offer red flowers, kumkum, akshat and a ghee lamp, chant 'Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah' 108 times, offer arghya to the rising Sun and then wear it.
Wear Ruby only after a proper chart analysis — the Sun must be a functional benefic for your ascendant (commonly suited to Aries, Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius lagnas; usually avoided for Taurus, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius). Do not combine it with Diamond, Blue Sapphire or Hessonite. Use a natural, untreated stone. If you notice restlessness, anger, headaches or excessive body heat, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Pearl
- Weight
- 4-7 carats (commonly 5-6 ratti or more)
- Metal
- Silver
- Finger
- Little finger of the right hand (some traditions prefer the ring finger)
- Day & time
- Monday in Shukla paksha, ideally when the Moon is in Rohini, Hasta or Shravana nakshatra, Monday morning after sunrise, during the Moon's hora
- Substitutes
- Moonstone (Chandrakant Mani), White Coral, A good-quality freshwater (cultured) pearl as an affordable option
On Sunday night place the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Monday morning rinse it, place it on a white cloth before Lord Shiva, offer white flowers, akshat (rice) and sandal paste, chant 'Om Shraam Shreem Shraum Sah Chandramase Namah' 108 times, touch the ring to the Shivling (or offer it mentally) and wear it.
Pearl is gentle but not for everyone — it suits charts where the Moon is a functional benefic (commonly Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces and Aries lagnas) and is usually avoided when the Moon rules the 6th, 8th or 12th house. Choose a natural, round, lustrous pearl without cracks. Do not combine it with Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite or Cat's Eye. If you notice heightened emotional sensitivity, frequent colds or lethargy, remove it and seek advice.
Red Coral
- Weight
- 6-9 carats (not less than 6 ratti)
- Metal
- Gold or copper (a gold-copper alloy is also used)
- Finger
- Ring finger of the right hand
- Day & time
- Tuesday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Mrigashira, Chitra or Dhanishta nakshatra, Within about an hour after sunrise, during the hora of Mars
- Substitutes
- Carnelian (red Akik / Hakik), Red Jasper, Bloodstone
On Monday night keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Tuesday morning rinse it, place it on a red cloth before Lord Hanuman, offer red flowers, sindoor and a jaggery sweet, light a lamp, chant 'Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
Red Coral suits charts where Mars is a functional benefic — commonly Aries, Scorpio, Cancer and Leo lagnas (Mars is yogakaraka for Cancer and Leo), and often Sagittarius and Pisces. It is generally avoided for Gemini and Virgo ascendants. Do not combine it with Emerald, Diamond, Blue Sapphire or Hessonite. Choose natural, untreated, crack-free coral. If you notice increased anger, restlessness or blood-pressure changes, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Emerald
- Weight
- 3-6 carats (not less than 3 ratti)
- Metal
- Gold (bronze or panchdhatu are also used)
- Finger
- Little finger of the right hand
- Day & time
- Wednesday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Ashlesha, Jyeshtha or Revati nakshatra, Within about two hours after sunrise, during the hora of Mercury
- Substitutes
- Peridot, Green Tourmaline, Green Onyx
On Tuesday night keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Wednesday morning rinse it, place it on a green cloth before Lord Ganesha or Lord Vishnu, offer durva grass, green cardamom and flowers, chant 'Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
Emerald suits charts where Mercury is a functional benefic — commonly Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius lagnas. It is generally avoided for Aries, Cancer and Scorpio ascendants unless a specific analysis supports it. Do not combine it with Pearl or Red Coral. Choose a natural stone with good colour and few inclusions. If you notice nervousness, skin irritation or confusion, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Yellow Sapphire
- Weight
- 3-7 carats (not less than 3 ratti; 5 ratti or more is commonly advised)
- Metal
- Gold
- Finger
- Index finger of the right hand
- Day & time
- Thursday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Punarvasu, Vishakha or Pushya nakshatra, Between sunrise and about 10 am, during the hora of Jupiter
- Substitutes
- Yellow Topaz, Citrine (Sunehla), Yellow Beryl
On Wednesday night keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal and a little honey. On Thursday morning rinse it, place it on a yellow cloth before Lord Vishnu or Brihaspati Dev, offer yellow flowers, turmeric, chana dal and a ghee lamp, chant 'Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah' 108 times, take the blessings of a teacher or elder and wear it.
Yellow Sapphire suits charts where Jupiter is a functional benefic — commonly Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces lagnas. It is generally avoided for Taurus and Libra ascendants, where Jupiter rules difficult houses. Do not combine it with Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire or Hessonite. Choose a natural, preferably unheated stone without cracks. If you notice weight gain, digestive heaviness or overconfidence in decisions, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Diamond (or Opal / White Sapphire)
- Weight
- Diamond: 0.5-1.5 carats (50 cents or more); Opal or White Sapphire: 3-6 carats
- Metal
- Platinum, silver or white gold
- Finger
- Middle finger of the right hand (many traditions also allow the ring finger)
- Day & time
- Friday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Bharani, Purva Phalguni or Purva Ashadha nakshatra, Friday morning after sunrise, during the hora of Venus
- Substitutes
- Opal, White Sapphire, White Zircon (Jarkan), White Topaz
On Thursday night keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Friday morning rinse it, place it on a white or pink cloth before Goddess Lakshmi, offer white flowers, rice, perfume and a white sweet, light a ghee lamp, chant 'Om Draam Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
Diamond suits charts where Venus is a functional benefic — commonly Taurus, Libra, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius lagnas (Venus is yogakaraka for Capricorn and Aquarius). It is often avoided for Aries, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces ascendants unless the chart clearly supports it. Do not combine it with Ruby, Pearl or Yellow Sapphire. Traditionally a flawed, cracked or dull diamond is considered inauspicious; choose a clean natural stone. If you notice over-indulgence, relationship friction or kidney discomfort, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Blue Sapphire
- Weight
- 3-6 carats (not less than 4 ratti is commonly advised)
- Metal
- Panchdhatu, silver or gold (some traditions use an iron-bearing alloy)
- Finger
- Middle finger of the right hand
- Day & time
- Saturday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Pushya, Anuradha or Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra, During the hora of Saturn — traditionally around sunset on Saturday (the morning Saturn hora is also used)
- Substitutes
- Amethyst (Jamunia / Katela), Iolite (Neeli), Lapis Lazuli (Lajward), Blue Spinel
First complete the trial described in the caution. Then, on Friday night, keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Saturday rinse it, place it on a blue or black cloth before Shani Dev or Hanuman ji, offer blue flowers (such as aparajita), black sesame and a sesame-oil lamp, chant 'Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaishcharaya Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
IMPORTANT: Blue Sapphire is the fastest-acting and most powerful of all gems, and its effects — good or unfavourable — can appear within days. Wear it only after careful chart analysis by a qualified astrologer; it is mainly suitable where Saturn is a functional benefic (commonly Taurus, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius lagnas, sometimes Gemini and Virgo). ALWAYS do a trial first: keep the stone under your pillow, or wear it taped to the middle finger, for 3 days (72 hours) and observe your dreams, sleep, health, mood, finances and safety while travelling. If you notice disturbing dreams, sudden conflicts, losses, illness or minor mishaps, stop at once and do not wear it. Never combine it with Ruby, Pearl or Red Coral, and use only a natural, unheated, crack-free stone. When in doubt, choose a milder substitute such as Amethyst.
Hessonite (Gomed)
- Weight
- 5-8 carats (not less than 6 ratti)
- Metal
- Silver or ashtadhatu / panchdhatu
- Finger
- Middle finger of the right hand
- Day & time
- Saturday in Shukla paksha, ideally in Ardra, Swati or Shatabhisha nakshatra, Saturday evening after sunset (some traditions prefer the early morning)
- Substitutes
- Orange Zircon, Spessartite (orange) Garnet
On Friday night keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. On Saturday rinse it, place it on a blue or smoky-grey cloth before Goddess Durga, offer blue flowers, durva and a lamp, chant 'Om Bhraam Bhreem Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
Hessonite should be worn only when Rahu is favourably placed — for example in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th house, or with a strong, benefic dispositor — and is more often suitable for Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn and Aquarius lagnas. Do a 3-day trial first and watch your sleep, mood and events. Do not combine it with Ruby, Pearl, Red Coral or Yellow Sapphire. Choose a natural, honey-coloured, clean stone. If you notice confusion, anxiety, bad dreams or conflicts, remove it and consult an astrologer.
Cat's Eye
- Weight
- 3-7 carats (not less than 5 ratti is commonly advised)
- Metal
- Silver or panchdhatu
- Finger
- Middle finger of the right hand (some traditions prefer the little finger)
- Day & time
- Tuesday (some traditions prefer Thursday) in Shukla paksha, ideally in Ashwini, Magha or Moola nakshatra, Early morning, within about two hours after sunrise
- Substitutes
- Tiger's Eye, Quartz Cat's Eye
First complete a 3-day trial. Then, on the previous night, keep the ring in raw milk mixed with Ganga jal. In the morning rinse it, place it on a grey or multicoloured cloth before Lord Ganesha, offer durva grass, a laddoo and a lamp, chant 'Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah' 108 times and then wear it.
Cat's Eye acts quickly, like Blue Sapphire, and is not for everyone. Wear it only when Ketu is favourably placed — for example in the 3rd, 6th, 9th or 11th house, or with a strong benefic dispositor — after chart analysis by a qualified astrologer. Always do a 3-day trial first (under the pillow or taped to the finger) and stop immediately if you notice disturbing dreams, sudden losses, minor injuries or confusion. Do not combine it with Ruby or Pearl. Tiger's Eye is a milder option.