SIGNIFICANCE OF GEMOLOGY IN ANCIENT INDIA
From Indian ancient scripts it is clear that we were the major source of providing information on gems and their uses. Gems are known to associate with the flow of different energies. In Vedic text, it is written that how various gems are the storehouse for different energies that other planets emanate toward Earth.
Varahamihira has written one of the foundational works of ancient Indian astronomy in an excerpt of the Brihat Samhita in the sixth century A.D., Chapter 104 that numerous aspects of human life are impacted by the positions of the planets and how they move through the Zodiac signs. Each planet has a different impact on certain signs.
The Puranas are a collection of Hindu writings that cover a wide range of subjects, including myths, stories, and genealogies. They are dated between the third and tenth centuries of the common era. In Garuda Purana Achar Kanda, chapter 68 ("Agastya Samhita"), ancient jewels are referenced several times, along with methods for determining their authenticity and guidelines for their use.
Gems are said to be misdeeds and are known to shield their wearers from poison and snakebites. Women are warned against wearing diamonds because this holy book claims that women who wear diamonds have a risk of becoming infertile and miserable.
ABOUT NAVARATNA
Indian gemology is based on planetary influence and is thought to bring changes for better living conditions and more fruitful outcomes. According to popular belief, the Navaratna (nine gems) are so pure that they are ideal and effective for everyone, regardless of their horoscope or planetary positions. The nine stones represent a wealth of abundance.
Gemologists list 84 stones as the foundation of Indian gemology in which nine of these stones together make the well-known Navaratna. The following fall under this category: ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, sapphire (yellow or white), diamond, blue sapphire, gomedha, and cat's eye.
Out of these nine stones, five are referred to as Maha-ratnas which are known as the most superior gems. Rubies, pearls, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires (blue) are among them.
Navaratnas are related to different planets in chapter 2 of the Jataka Parijata, written in the 15th century by Sri Vaidyanatha Dikshitar, which reads as follows:
The Lord of the Sun's gem is ruby.
The cool moon's gemstone is a pearl.
Mars' jewel is red coral.
Mercury's birthstone is emerald.
The jewel of Jupiter is yellow sapphire.
The gem of Venus is the diamond.
The jewels of the remaining planets are Hessonite, Cat's eye, and Blue Sapphire.
The navratnas are a group of nine gemstones that have been utilized extensively throughout history. According to Vedic Astrology, they boost the advantages of the auspicious grahas in addition to balancing out planetary imbalances.
GEMSTONE RELATED TO ANCIENT HINDU MYTHOLOGY
The three types of jewels in Hindu mythology are those that belong to Swarga-loka (heaven), Patala-loka (hell), and Mrityu-loka (valley of the dead). Four diamonds are located beneath Swarga-loka. These include
Brahma's white gem, Chintamani, is said to be responsible for all of his triumphs.
A jewel that adorns Vishnu is called Kaustubhamani, and it has the hues of a lotus flower and the radiance of the sun.
Mahadeva wore a golden-colored stone called Rudramani.
Indra wore the bright blue stone known as Syamantakamani.