What is Navaratna jewellery

Indian culture attaches a lot of importance to the number nine or Nava. Navagraha – nine planets, Navaratri – nine nights of worship and celebration, Navadanya – nine pulses and cereals and Navaratna – nine gemstones are few such noteworthy examples. The word ‘Nava’ means nine and ‘ratna’ refers to gemstones in the gems and jewellery context. However, the word ‘Ratna’ was also used to describe emperors, intellectuals and artistic individuals in history. This indicates how gemstones were tied to concepts of supreme value and preciousness. Let us look at idea of Navaratna jewellery in this post.

What is Navaratna jewellery

Navaratna – as one word refers to a talisman, piece of jewellery or ornament composed of nine perfect gemstones. Jewellery created using all the nine stones is called as Navaratna jewellery. Each of the stones depict a particular planetary body and tap into their energies. All these nine gems are considered equally sacred, and they only differ according to the astral influence of their ruling planets. Navaratna are associated with moon signs not sun signs and the concept is different than that of a birthstone. In Navaratna jewellery, a Ruby, representing the sun, is in the center encircled by the other eight gemstones. This is the placement as specified by Navaratnashastra according to Dr. Usha R Balakrishnan in her book, The Dance of the Peacock.

List of Navaratna – Gemstones

Here is the list of gemstones and the planets that they stand for.

Legend: H means Hindi; T means Tamil and P means planetary body. See image above for the Sanskrit names of the planetary bodies.

1. Ruby – H: Maanik | T: Maanikkam | P: Sun
2. Diamond – H: Heera | T:Vairam | P:Venus
3. Emerald – H:Panna | T:Marakadham | P:Mercury
4. Yellow sapphire – H:Pukharaj | T:Kanagapushparagam | P:Jupiter
5. Cat’s-eye – H: Lehsuniya| T: Vaiduryam | P:Ketu (the moon’s descending node).
6. Blue sapphire – H & T: Neelam | P: Saturn
7. Hessonite – H: Gomedh| T: Gomedhakkam | P:Rahu (the moon’s ascending node)
8. Coral- H:Moonga | T: pavazham | P:Mars
9. Pearl – H:moti | T:Muthu | P:Moon

Please do read the series Gemstones in colour if you want to know more about different varieties of gemstones in each colour.

The power of coloured stones

According to ManiMala, a treatise on gemstones, “mani” or gemstones have amuletic powers. They are believed to protect the wearer from demons, snakes, poisons, diseases, wrath, envy, jealousy and other dangers. Modern writing enquires how gemstones can hold the attention of the viewer, mesmerise us. Gemstones can stimulate creative thinking and forge connections that last. No wonder, gemstones and even colored glass beads for that matter enthrall us. Coloured stones, due to the nature of their colours operate at a particular frequency. The vibrations resulting from such frequencies can be tapped into for our benefit. This is one of the reasons why coloures stones are worn, apart from their inherent beauty.

Gemstones and astrology

In a navaratna ring, each ratna corresponds to a particular planetary body as mentioned above. The stone placement is similar to the the placement of nine planetary bodies in a navagraha chart.  Since each of these bodies are associated with wealth, knowledge, control over the human mind, or challenges and misfortunes, wearing the gemstone meant for them is considered propitiation. Astrologers also link gemstones with individual zodiac charts. Therefore, a gemstone that is suitable for one person may not be suitable for another. Sapphire and Diamond are two such stones that are said to have ill effects. Modern media has done several spins on this concept while discussing tragedies that befall an owner of a prized gemstone.

As is the case with several ancient medicinal practises, Ayurveda too uses “Bhasmas” of powdered and purified metals and gemstones as medicine. According to Vedic astrology, Coloured stones can be used during prayer to attract planetary energies. Gems help create positive thoughts and vibrations that will result in healing effects on the body. But they do not provide miraculous cures as touted by a few fraudulent astrologers. Those who believe that often find themselves disappointed.

The flawed idea of flawlessness

Similarly, inclusions in gemstones are deemed ill as they make a stone inauspicious. Therefore Ratna Pariksha (ancient method of testing gemstones) is recommended by the scriptures. However, at present, almost all commercially available stones (excluding rare auction pieces) have inclusions. They are routinely treated, filled and presented in a way that makes them appealing.  Internally Flawless stones are incredibly rare and expensive. Even lab grown stones have their share of clarity characteristics. Therefore, I recommend buying stones with a gemologist’s certification.

Why wear Navaratna  gemstomes

The reason why many people prefer to wear Navaratna instead of one ratna is because it is considered neutral. When worn together, gemstones are also said to cancel out each other maleficent energies if any. But then there are those who find navaratna unlucky as well. Since gemstones help one to manifest their thoughts as action, scriptures say that only an honest and morally sound person must wear navaratna jewellery.

Navaratna Jewellery

The Navaratna are typically worn together as a ring in a grid pattern with ruby in the center. When worn for astrological reasons, the ring is first purified by dipping in milk, honey and then water. It  is done charged by reciting Navagraha mantras. The correct way of wearing a navaratna ring is by wearing the blue sapphire gem representing Saturn pointing towards the body on the ring finger. To derive the full benefit of Navaratna it must be set in gold (the purer the better) as it helps ground the energies of all the stones.

As a fashion item, navaratna are also set in pendants and earrings in various styles. Because it has all nine colours on it, navaratna jewellery compliments clothes of all colours. Also, most navaratna jewellery is chunky and statement making. If you are confused about matching gemstones with Indian traditional attire which typically has multiple colours, then a navaratna necklace or earrings are a safe bet for you. Navaratna malas sold for meditation are looped necklaces with opaque gemstone beads. They often do not contain navaratnas – especially diamond and sapphire. Rudraksha, sun stone, quartz crystals and jade beads are at times used along with pearls, synthetic corals and dyed agate in these chains.

Caring for your Navaratna jewellery

If you wear your gemstones daily, clean atleast twice a month by soaking them in water and cleaning with a soft brush. Once a year get it cleaned by a professional jeweller.

Navaratna are sacred because of their preciousness and precious because they are sacred. Whether you wear them for guidance or fashion please bear this in mind. Do you or your family own navaratna jewellery? Please do share, tales of talismanic gemstone jewellery in the comments.

I hope you found it interesting
Cheers