An Introduction to Planetary Gemology

According to ancient Vedic authority, natural gemstones transmit astral or piezoelectric powers (like radio crystals transform sound)! Fine, flawless gems promote good fortune, while poor quality gems have the opposite affect (Ref. Garuda Purana: Chapter 68, Verse 17). The power of gems emanates from the nine planets (nava-graha ) recognized by the ancient, “Sidereal” science of astrology. The nine planets and their associated gems are Ruby for the Sun, Pearl for the Moon, Yellow sapphire for Jupiter, Hessonite for Rahu (the ascending node of the Moon), Emerald for Mercury, Diamond for Venus, Cat’s eye for Ketu (the descending node of the Moon), Blue sapphire for Saturn and Coral for Mars (Ref. Mani Mala: page 575, verse 79). These “planets” influence different aspects of life and, as luminous bodies, also radiate specific cosmic colors. According to ancient belief the colors radiated by the nine planets are identical to the cosmic colors of the different gemstones. Sometimes the cosmic colors are obvious while in other cases this is not so. Thus red is the cosmic color of rubies, while orange is the cosmic color of pearls.

Gemstones strengthen planetary powers and will boost their specific influences in three ways. The first way is by adding “cosmic color” to one’s own aura. The second way is by “astrologically” enhancing their associated area of one’s life. For instance, Moon (pearl) influences mind and emotions while Venus (diamond) rules art and sex. The third way is by attracting the attention of their ruling planetary deities, the Sun-god, Moon-god, Mars, Jupiter, etc. The “cosmic colors” and gemstone powers will be explained further in Chapter III.

The single biggest obstacle to the world-wide, modern day practice of “Planetary gemology” is wide-spread acceptance of the so-called birth stone system from the West. The history of this practice is explained in Chapter II. It is no secret that this list of birth stones was created by the American National Retail Jewelers’ Association in 1912. The origin of this system is attributed to the early Hebrew civilization and has nothing what-so-ever to do with any system of astrology. Furthermore, birth stones cannot be based on a list of months because birth signs change on or about the 22nd of each month. Thus two different signs rule each month according to the date of one’s birth.

The color hue of each gem will almost always fit into one of the 4 social-economic-intellectual categories (varnas ). Everyone is advised to use the color that best suits their needs. Refer to Chapter III for this information.

Ancient Astrological Gemstones & Talismans combines the essential knowledge from the ancient Vedic texts with modern gemological data. We sincerely hope that readers find the resulting information both helpful and enlightening.

It is our hope and belief that this ancient knowledge of “Planetary Gemology” we are presenting will soon become an important part of World culture and will be remembered and practiced for at least 1,000 years into the future.

—Richard S. Brown 
(Bangkok: Jan. 2, 1993)