Vedic Remedies
Vedic Gemstones (Navratna)
The nine Navratna gemstones, one for each planet, are the most popular remedy in Vedic astrology. The right stone strengthens its planet in your chart; the wrong one can backfire. Find which gemstone belongs to which planet, who should wear it, and how to wear it correctly.
Gemstone for Each Planet
Manik · for Sun (Surya)
The stone of the Sun, for vitality, confidence, and authority.
Moti · for Moon (Chandra)
The stone of the Moon, for a calm mind and emotional balance.
Moonga · for Mars (Mangal)
The stone of Mars, for courage, energy, and protection.
Panna · for Mercury (Budh)
The stone of Mercury, for intellect, speech, and business.
Pukhraj · for Jupiter (Guru)
The stone of Jupiter, for wisdom, wealth, and marriage.
Heera · for Venus (Shukra)
The stone of Venus, for love, luxury, and the arts.
Neelam · for Saturn (Shani)
The fastest-acting Navratna, the stone of Saturn. Test before wearing.
Gomed · for Rahu (Rahu)
The stone of Rahu, for clarity and protection. Test before wearing.
Lehsunia · for Ketu (Ketu)
The stone of Ketu, for protection and spiritual insight. Test before wearing.
How to choose the right gemstone
A gemstone is chosen from the whole birth chart, not the sun sign. The key factors are your ascendant (Lagna), which planets are benefic or malefic for that ascendant, the strength and house of the planet, and the Dasha running now. A stone for a planet that harms your ascendant can make things worse, which is why the strong stones are tested before permanent wear.
Whatever the stone, it should be natural, untreated, reasonably flawless, of the right weight (in ratti or carat), and set in the correct metal so it touches the skin. It is then energised on the planet\'s weekday after washing in raw milk and water and chanting the planet\'s beej mantra.
The gentlest, most universally helpful stones are Yellow Sapphire and Pearl. The most powerful, which must always be trialled first, are Blue Sapphire, Hessonite, and Cat\'s Eye. For the planet\'s mantra you can begin straight away with the Navagraha beej mantras, and you can review your planetary placements on the Navagraha positions page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Navratna in Vedic astrology?
Navratna means the nine gems, one for each of the nine planets (Navagraha): Ruby for the Sun, Pearl for the Moon, Red Coral for Mars, Emerald for Mercury, Yellow Sapphire for Jupiter, Diamond for Venus, Blue Sapphire for Saturn, Hessonite for Rahu, and Cat's Eye for Ketu. Each gem is believed to strengthen the energy of its planet in the birth chart.
Can I choose a gemstone by my zodiac or sun sign?
No. A gemstone should be chosen from the full birth chart, mainly the ascendant (Lagna), the strength and ownership of the planet, and the running Dasha, not by sun sign alone. Wearing the wrong stone can do more harm than good, so a qualified astrologer should confirm it.
Which gemstone is the safest to wear?
Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) and Pearl (Moti) are considered the gentlest and most universally beneficial. Blue Sapphire (Neelam), Hessonite (Gomed), and Cat's Eye (Lehsunia) are the most powerful and should always be worn on a short trial first before committing to permanent wear.
Do gemstones have to be natural and untreated?
Yes. For astrological purposes a gemstone should be natural, untreated, free of major flaws, of sufficient weight (measured in ratti or carat), and set in the correct metal so the stone touches the skin. Heated, treated, or synthetic stones are not considered astrologically effective.
Gemstone or mantra, which is better for a planet?
They work together. A planet's beej mantra is free, safe for everyone, and can be chanted by anyone, while a gemstone amplifies a planet strongly and must fit the chart. Many people begin with the mantra and add the gemstone only after a chart consultation.