Colourful, elegant, and versatile—navaratna jewellery is all this and more. Jewellery set with navratnas has been popular for centuries in South and SE Asian countries, particularly India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
What are the navratnas or nine gems?
Nava in Sanskrit means “nine”, and ratna means “gem”. So, navaratna is the Sanskrit composite term for nine precious gems that, according to Hindu astrology, are considered auspicious and believed to offer cosmic protection to the person wearing them. These nine gems are recognised in Buddhism and Jainism, besides Hinduism, which accounts for their usage in the jewellery of other Asian countries besides India.
These nine gems are diamond, ruby, emerald, blue sapphire, pearl, coral, gomed, cat’s eye, and yellow sapphire.
The earliest mention of the navaratna gems goes as far back as the 10th century. In its earliest use, the amulets set with navaratnas were worn by royalty, especially kings and emperors.
Navaratnas in Indian astrology
The navaratnas represent the Navagrahas or the nine planets according to Hindu astrology. Each of these nine stones represents a celestial deity who rules a particular planet and whose favour or disfavour is believed to astrologically impact a person’s destiny. When worn together in a specific formation, the nine planets are believed to be in cosmic harmony and, therefore, help balance the chakras and ensure positive energy and protection.
Planetary associations
Let’s take a look at what these nine gems represent.
| Gemstone | Planet association | Planet in Indian cosmology | Also known as |
| Ruby | Sun | Surya | Tamil: Kempu, Sanskrit: Padmaraga/MadikyaManikya Hindi: Manik |
| Pearl | Moon | Chandra | Tamil: Muthu, Sanskrit: Mauktika Hindi: Moti |
| Coral | Mars | Mangala | Tamil: Pavalam, Telugu: Pagadam, Sanskrit: Pravalam, Hindi: Moonga |
| Emerald | Mercury | Buddha | Tamil: Pachchai Telugu: Pachcha, Sanskrit: Smartikam/Martikam Hindi: Panna |
| Yellow Sapphire | Jupiter | Brihaspati | Tamil: Pushparagam Telugu: Pusparagam Sanskrit: Kanaka Pushparagam, Hindi: Pushraj/Pukhraj |
| Diamond | Venus | Shukra | Tamil: Vairam Telugu: Vajram Sanskrit: Vajram Hindi: Heera |
| Blue Sapphire | Saturn | Shani | Tamil: Neelamani, Telugu: Neelam, Sanskrit: Padmarangam Hindi: Neelam |
| Hessonite | Ascending Lunar Node | Rahu | Tamil: Gomedakam, Telugu: Gomedakam Sanskrit: Gomedakam Hindi: Gomed |
| Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye | Descending Lunar Node | Ketu | Tamil: Vaiduryam Telugu: Vaiduryam Sanskrit: Vaiduryam Hindi: Lehsunya |
Setting
In its prescribed setting, you will see the ruby, which represents the Sun, in the centre, with the other gems surrounding it. Clockwise from right above the central ruby, the gems are set in the following order: diamond, pearl, coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, yellow sapphire, and emerald.
Only natural gemstones are chosen for a typical navaratna setting. So, it must be a natural pearl, a red coral, etc. Some jewellery may be set with look-alike semi-precious gems or multicoloured synthetic zirconia. These are created more for their visual appearance and budget-friendliness than their astrological value.
How do you wear navaratnas?
Navarathna jewellery is made mainly in gold, although, where the price is a factor to be considered, navaratna rings, pendants, and bracelets are also made in silver. Provided natural gems are used in the prescribed setting, the choice of metal does not, in any way, lessen the purported power of the navaratnas.
Rings are the most popular item of jewellery set with navaratnas. Men invariably opt for square rings, while women lean towards round, oval, and even rhomboid (diamond-shaped) designs. Astrologers recommend wearing the navaratna ring on the ring finger. Men are advised to wear it on the ring finger of the right hand, while the ring finger of the left hand is prescribed for women.
Benefits of wearing navaratna jewellery
- Wearing a navaratna ring, earrings, or pendant is believed to balance the chakras and harmonise the energies in your body.
- Navaratna jewellery is often suggested as an aid to combat or at least lessen the effects of stress and illness.
- From an astrological point of view, many people choose to wear navaratna rings as they believe that the beneficial effects of auspicious planets cancel the effects of malefic planets.
- The combination of the navaratnas and the prescribed order in which the gems are set are said to aid good health, financial stability, peace and tranquillity and prosperity in general.
We hope you found this post interesting to read. If you are interested in navaratna jewellery, please feel free to drop in for a chat or contact us.
Watch this space for forthcoming articles on each of the gorgeous navaratnas.
