Gemstoneuniverse.com Blog of Fine, Natural, Unheated Planetary Gems and Jyotish Gems.

How Many Gems Should You Wear for Planetary Gem Therapy?

Natural Untreated Amethyst and white sapphire ring

There are nine planets, 12 zodiac signs, 27 nakshatras combined with many more parameters that decide the course of an individual’s life. If and when, an individual does decide to implement planetary gem therapy, the ideal way is to complete the therapy by wearing all suitable gems. A single gem may give benefits in quite a few areas of life, but a combination of favourable gems is able to render a more holistic experience as well as benefits from implementation of gem therapy.

For instance, planetary positions may sometimes restrict recommendation to a single gem. In certain exceptional cases a maximum of five different gems may suit an individual. In rare cases, gem therapy is not recommended at all. On the other hand a navratna may suit everyone but it requires tremendous good fortune to be able to own one.

One aspect to notice and pay attention to is that an individual’s life is a sum total of parts and one talisman may not be a single point solution. Most of the significant events have a karmic bearing and they precipitate to impart important lessons. Suitable gems and their energies are be able to smoothen the ride with a dash of good fortune thrown in.

Many a times individuals are averse to wearing more than one ring or one talisman on their person. But where there is a will there is a creative way to harness the energy. Gemstones favourable to an individual can be combined into the same ring or pendant and the energies of more than one planets can be harnessed at the same time.

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Peridot- Meaning, Mythology, Uses, Deposits, treatments, Gemology and Color

Natural Chinese Peridot

Peridot Meaning

The word peridot is most likely a derivative of the Arabic name Faridat meaning ‘gem’. Alternatively some experts also like to believe that it is derived from the French word peritot meaning unclear. Most of the peridots display a sleepy appearance. Jyotish Gem quality peridot must be clear. It also goes by the name chrysolith / chrysolite as well as olivine because of its typical color. The gem was found earliest in an island off the coast of Egypt called Zabargad and hence is referred to as zabarjad in local parlance. Forsterite-Fayalite mineral.

Peridot Mythology

Cleopatra

Peridot was a gem much loved by Cleopatra. It is speculated that Cleopatra’s splendid emeralds were actually peridots that are also known as ‘evening emerald’. In Hawaiian mythology, peridots are regarded to be goddess Pele’s tears. Pele was the goddess of fire, lightening and volcanoes. One can see peridots encrusted in many old church shrines. Peridot is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of “pitdah”. Peridot along with 11 other gems, representing the 12 Jewish tribes were used in the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priests.

Goddess Pele

Peridot Uses

Peridot is regarded as the birthstone for the month of August.

Gift a Peridot

It is considered a favourable gift for 16^th wedding anniversary. It has some great metaphysical properties, where it helps the wearer in healing from the burden of the past. It help to discard the emotional baggage and do away with the mental monsters. Peridot is believed to help in restoring good health to one who suffers from asthma, sinus trouble, ulcers or respiratory diseases. It is said to energise the body and give hope on a mental level.

Mercury also known as Hermes

Peridot is the gemstone of Mercury. It is the substitute gem for natural emerald. The name ‘evening emerald is just a euphemism that traders use. It is NOT an emerald. According to the ancient discipline of Vedic astrology, it is used for harnessing the powers of a favourable Mercury in the birth chart.

Peridot Deposits

Historically – the Zabargad island (now known as St. John’s Island) in the Red Sea,

Currently important deposits are in:

Pakistan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, Sri Lanka,

Tanzania, United States (Arizona and Hawaii)

Peridot crystals have also been collected from some Pallasite meteors. A famous Pallasite was offered for auction in April 2008 with a requested price of close to $2 million at Bonhams, but remained unsold. The Fukang specimen outshines all other known examples of the pallasite class, which makes up just one per cent of all meteorites.

The Fukang Pallasite Meteorite

Peridot treatments

Peridots are usually not subjected to any treatments.

Peridot – Color

Peridot is one of the loveliest green colored gems. It’s color ranges from pale to rich shades of luscious apple green to rich olivine green. It is an idiochromatic gem that gets its color from iron element in it. The gem has strong birefringence and therefore can exhibit a sleepy appearance.

Peridot – Gemology

Chemical composition: (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 magnesium iron silicate
Species: olivine
Color: Yellow-green, olive-green, apple green

Specific gravity: 3.28 – 3.48

Crystal system: Orthorhombic; short compact prisms, vertically striated
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale)
Refractive index: 1.650 -1.703
Birefringence: +0.036 to +0.038
Fluorescence: None

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What is Kashmir Blue Sapphire?

The star of Kashmir

http://youtu.be/w1x8yqwV33E

It was way back in the 1880’s that a landslide hit the obscure Padder region in Kashmir that exposed some blue stones. These were brought down by the wandering hill men who traded them for a few necessities they required. However, the word spread about something extraordinary being seen. Traders from Delhi and those as far as in Calcutta rushed to get what they could.

This was the legendary Kashmir blue sapphire.

Kashmir Blue sapphire is the most prized blue sapphire in the world. While the mining for it began with very primitive methods in the inhospitable region of Sumjam or Sungchang in the early 1880’s, the deposits reportedly now yield no more corundum. Now any piece of Kashmir blue sapphire that becomes available is from private resources. Kashmir blue sapphire is the richest, velvety toned cornflower blue. There is a lazy, saturated quality to the color blue in these gems.

However, what must be noted here is that Kashmir sapphires came in all ranges from the palest blues to the richest of Cornflower blues to almost blackish gems. It is the homogenous saturated cornflower blue color that fetches the best price. The sapphire Guru Richard Huges in his seminal book Ruby and Sapphire quotes Rajroop Tank’s description, “The sapphires of Kashmir form an exclusive class of their own…The color of these sapphires resembles the beautiful hue of the peacock’s neck. Even a small concentration of that fine color illuminates the entire structure of the gem.”

Most of these gems are cut very carefully as sugarloaf cabochons to bring out the best color. The Kashmir sapphire rough used to pose a huge challenge for the cutter. While the quality was excellent, the rough occurred as spindle shaped hexagonal bipyramid, with color mostly on the outside and the remaining crystal being practically colorless. The problem intensified if the crystal had corroded and was covered with unrelenting kaolin clay! One can appreciate the gift that the lapidarist brings to the table, when he can fashion a fascinating, richly hued gem out of a rough that occurs thus.

Since the unavailability of the Kashmir blue sapphire hit markets, the Ceylon Blue sapphires have dominated the blue sapphire trade, with their clear lustrous crystal and beautiful water.

The Star of Kashmir ring

Take a look at this splendid ring that was auctioned at the Christies Magnificent Jewels event held at Geneva recently. The Star of Kashmir– a 19.88 carat Kashmir Blue Sapphire fetched a record breaking per carat price for a sapphire and fetched a whopping $3,484,142, nearly 20 crore in Indian rupees. The platinum ring has a cushion-shaped sapphire, weighing approximately 19.88 carats, flanked on either side with cushion-shaped diamonds, weighing approximately 3.02 and 2.72 carats, to the graduated diamond line shoulders and engraved sides.  

According to Christie’s, “The Star of Kashmir is part of the exclusive family of the rarest Kashmir sapphires ever to be offered at auction. This superb gemstone combines an exceptional size with a richly saturated and homogenous cornflower blue color that is highly desired in Kashmir gems.”

Natural Ceylon Blue Sapphire

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Precious Coral – The Red Gold

Native American Zuni hear gear coral ring

The wisdom of the native American Indians or for any of the native tribes is well known and the inhabitant of the modern world turns time and time again to these individuals who determine their course of life through direct learning from nature and observing all that does not speak but thrives in the environment!

The precious red coral forms an integral part of the jewelry of the Navajo Indians in South-western America. The Hopis, the Zunis and the Navajo Indians have venerated this organic gemstone and have precious red coral incorporated into most of their jewelry, whether as personal talismans or otherwise.

What is Red Gold?

Precious red coral, introduced to the Native Americans by the European explorers who brought this wealth from the Mediterranean to their land was embraced with warmth. So much so, that it was referred to as ‘Red Gold’!

coral strands

Such was the value attributed to precious red coral that the prominence of social status and success was measured by the number of Coral strands acquired by the women and 10 strands “should have been owned” by the age of 30. The belief of the native Indians was also that the precious red coral had great value and was capable of protecting the wearer from any evil influence, curing ailments and giving longevity and virility to men.

Precious Red Coral

Precious Red Coral is a gem of organic marine origin. It is obtained from the coral reefs, which are the skeletal remains of the polyps, which grow in colonies. Best quality precious red coral comes from Italy and Japan. The intensely colored Mediterranean ox blood coral is highly prized.

Natural Organic Red Coral ring

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Fortune With Natural Yellow Sapphire on Akshaya Tritiya

Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya – The third (thritiya tithi) day of the waxing lunar phase in the Hindu month of Vaishakh that promises to keep fortunes or positive endeavours made this day on an eternal growth path. It is a very auspicious day for new beginnings.

While there is much hype created around the day for buying gold and other assets, the day is generally a good one to start new initiatives. It is a day when Dharmaraj Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava got the Akshaya Patra from Surya. Upon being exiled to the forest, Yudhishthira would face utter dejection sometimes as he would find himself unable to feed the people with him as well as the holy men, sages who would come by.

He performed some austerities that pleased Surya who blessed him and gave him the akshaya patra on akshaya tritiya – a vessel that would provide unlimited food in the day. This would enable him to look after his people. There are many more tales and beliefs that are well known about this day. In Vedic astrology, all gemstones can be instrumental in bringing good fortune.

Yudhishthir receiving the Akshaya Patra from Surya

However, Jupiter or Brihaspati is regarded as the harbinger of good fortune and thus his gem, the yellow sapphire is highly valued.

Natural Ceylon Yellow Sapphire

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Top Tips for Choosing a Blue Sapphire – How to Buy a Genuine Natural Blue Sapphire

http://youtu.be/qsg6JIFDpD4

Also goes by names: neelam, safir, yakut, zapphir

Mineral Composition: Corundum, Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 9.0

Sources of Origin: We wish it was so simple to put gems into exclusive brackets with the shove of a glance. However, we have tried best to list a characteristic picture of gems from the main sources.

This is also on of the reasons why we emphasize on why you should seek out unheated and untreated Blue sapphires. Treatments mask the natural flaws and characteristics of gems and can alter their appearance to unbelievable levels.

What you should look for in Your Blue sapphire

There is a lot of difference between a real gemstone and a stone. It could be the latter masquerading in the garb of the former. Please ascertain whether the gem you are about to purchase is –

-          Jyotish Quality

-          Natural

-          Unheated

-          Treatment-free

-          Certification from a gem Lab

-          Credentials of the seller

Blue Sapphire and the 4 C’s

1. Cut

Ovals and Cushions are the most popular cuts in Blue sapphires. As the complexity and fanciness quotient of the gem cut increases, so does the price but geometrically. A fancy cut requires sacrificing on the weight (quite a bit of caratage is lost to the shape and therefore the escalated cost)! Among the oval and cushions too, a cushion cut gem fetches a better price than an oval.

The cut impacts the brilliance of the gem in the biggest manner. Master cutting of gem ensures best play of light in a gem. If the cutter errs on cutting, especially vis-à-vis the critical angle the light will leak away and neither the brilliance, nor the color of the gem is optimally displayed.

2. Color

The above image serves as a rough parameter for gauging the vast range of color of blue sapphires. Among those too, the saturation/ intensity of color will vary and so will the hues. Dark blue midnight tones, to rich velvety silks, to soft medium tones, to clear waters like a pristine soul – such is the vast variation in the availability of the blue sapphires.

In trade terms, pricing of colored gemstone will be heavily influenced by hue, tone and saturation of color. The rich the color, higher the price.

 3.      Clarity

The crystalline features of the gem and presence/ absence of pits, feathers, needles, silk, twinning etc. determine the brilliance, transparency and appearance of the gem. Lesser the number of clarity characteristics in your natural gem, the higher priced it will be.

Planetary gem therapy works on the principle of Passage of light, barring in the case of organic gems like pearl and coral. If your gem is poor quality/ opaque placebo, it is practically useless for jyotish purposes.

4. Carat weight

You could well hang a kettlebell in your neck if you go by the prescribed weights doing rounds in market. It is always better to wear a jyotish quality gemstone rather than a STONE which will not be able to deliver any results at all.

The less said the better. The pictures speak a lot for themselves.

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Natural Blue Sapphire and Double Diamond halo ring

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Amethyst- Meaning, Mythology, Uses, Deposits, treatments, Gemology and Color

Natural Untreated Amethyst

Amethyst Meaning

The most precious member of the quartz family is the amethyst.  The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethystos that literally translates into “Not Drunk”. All over the world as well in India it has been believed through the ages that the Amethyst is a strong antidote against intoxication and alcohol addiction.

Amethyst Mythology

Dionysus-Greek God of Wine

Legend has it that Dionysius, The Greek God of wine was one insulted by a Human being. He swore that he would curse the next mortal who would cross his path. Tigers would be let lose on that human being. It so happened that a young lady by the name of Amethyst happened to be that human being on her way  of making a pilgrimage to Goddess Diana. Diana transformed Amethyst into a figurine made of pure crystal quartz so that she may be protected from the claws of the tiger.

Dionysius wept tears of wine at seeing this beautiful statute and his tears stained the quartz crustal creating this famous gem.

Amethyst

Amethyst Uses

Amethyst has a respect worldwide as a powerful healing crystal and as a gemstone to break negative life patterns. Generally considered as a February Birthstone its most famous use is to overcome alcohol addiction. It is a very good crystal for detoxifying the body and ancient Chinese medicine recommends using this crystal for stomach pains and back ailments. It helps in sharpening the memory and also increases love between two lovers. It is a spiritual gemstone that awakens the Chakras-Energy centres of the body.

Amethyst Deposits

Even though Amethysts Deposits are found in many regions principle deposits are found in

Brazil

Canada

Tanzania

Mexico

Burma/ Myanmar

USA-Arizons

Zambia

Sri Lanka

Uruguay

Amethyst  Treatments

To produce Amethysts of different color other than the purple/ violet and mauve shades Amethysts are heated at a temperature of 878-1382 degrees F (470-750 degrees C) resulting in colorless, light green, light yellow and reddish brown varieties of Amethysts.

Amethyst Gemology

Species: Quartz

Color: Purple, violet, pale red-violet

Chemical composition: SiO, silicon dioxide

Crystal system: (Trigonal), hexagonal prisms

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)

Specific gravity: 2.65

Refractive index: 1.544 – 1.553

Birefringence: +0.009

Optical character:

Color of streak: White

Absorption spectrum: 550 – 520

Fluorescence: Weak, bluish

Amethyst Color

The most attractive color is a distinct extravagant and deep purple/ mauve color- this color is also referred to as the Siberian Deep Purple that sometimes exhibits flashes of red and blue. It is also found in other shades of purple, mauve and violet

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Natural Ruby for a Balanced Muladhara or Root Chakra

Natural Ruby ring from Mozambique for Sun Powers

Ruby is a gemstone that represents the powers of the Sun. just as the Moon represents the mind; the sun is the natural significator of the soul. A strong Sun gives an individual a powerful and enabling sense of self – very healthy ego.

Ruby is the gemstone of the Sun and is the gem of the Mooladhara chakra or the root chakra. Issues related to emotional self, identity and material world can be addressed by balancing the mooladhara with natural ruby energies. Ruby has intense energy, heat and treats incisively.

Mooladhara Chakra

It is a gem that gives an individual the wherewithal to make a success of ones life – definitely be in the above average category. It can help neutralise inner demons and negative  thinking. If you are looking at discovering your core strengths and making material as well as soul level progress, then ruby is the gem for you.

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Lime Green Chinese Peridot – The Upratna of Emerald

Natural China Peridot

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A Beautiful Emerald for Celebrating 2013

Emerald is the Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone has named “emerald” as the “color of the year” for 2013. For the uninitiated, Pantone is an American company, an acknowledged, world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries.

Of course, why particularly emerald? “Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty  that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” This is how Pantone describes the color emerald. Because emerald is the luxurious green that can give an aura of richness to wherever it is used – whether in apparel, in jewelry, in home decor, adding color to office environs, it can liven up anything!

Coming back to jewelry, you can add that zing to your jewelry collection by adding a splendid emerald bijou like the one featured today. It will work its charm, regardless of the attention to design and detailing. It’s razzle dazzle is enough to capture imagination.

Natural Zambian Emerald

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