Gemstones · Navratna
Navratna gemstones: the nine ratnas of the nine planets
In Indian astrology each of the nine grahas has a ratna, and together they make the navratna. This page lists the nine stones with their planet, Hindi name, number, the finger and metal commonly used and the main substitute, and explains why a stone is chosen from your Kundli first.
The nine ratnas at a glance
The planet, the stone, its Hindi name, the substitutes and the number come from the same data as the gemstone calculator. The finger and metal are the ones most commonly suggested; traditions differ.
| Stone | Hindi name | Planet | Number | Finger | Metal | Upratna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby | माणिक्य (Manik) | Sun | 1 | ring finger | gold or copper | Red Garnet, Red Spinel |
| Pearl | मोती (Moti) | Moon | 2 | little finger (some traditions use the ring finger) | silver | Moonstone |
| Red Coral | मूंगा (Moonga) | Mars | 9 | ring finger | gold or copper (some traditions use silver) | Carnelian |
| Emerald | पन्ना (Panna) | Mercury | 5 | little finger | gold (some traditions use silver) | Peridot, Green Tourmaline |
| Yellow Sapphire | पुखराज (Pukhraj) | Jupiter | 3 | index finger | gold | Yellow Topaz, Citrine |
| Diamond or White Sapphire | हीरा (Heera) या सफ़ेद पुखराज | Venus | 6 | middle finger (some traditions use the ring finger) | platinum, white gold or silver | Opal, White Zircon |
| Blue Sapphire | नीलम (Neelam) | Saturn | 8 | middle finger | silver, platinum or panchdhatu (some traditions use gold) | Amethyst, Iolite (Neeli) |
| Hessonite | गोमेद (Gomed) | Rahu | 4 | middle finger | silver or panchdhatu | Orange Zircon |
| Cat’s Eye | लहसुनिया (Lehsunia) | Ketu | 7 | middle finger (some traditions use the little or ring finger) | silver or panchdhatu (some traditions use gold) | Tiger’s Eye |
The rule: your Kundli first
Wear a gemstone only after Namieta has checked your Kundli. A ratna strengthens its planet, and a planet that is weak or troublesome in your chart can make a stone unsuitable even when it matches your Mulank. Crystals are a gentler choice to keep at home or work.
Some stones are traditionally treated as strong: Hessonite (Rahu), Cat’s Eye (Ketu) and Blue Sapphire (Saturn). They are tested with special care and worn only after a careful chart check.
How a stone is chosen
Numerology gives a quick starting point: your Mulank (Moolank) and Bhagyank each have a planet, and each planet has a stone. The gemstone calculator shows both.
Astrology decides. An astrologer reads your Kundli from the lagna: the stone of the lagna lord is usually the first one considered, then the stones of the planets that rule the 5th and 9th houses. Planets that rule only the 6th, 8th or 12th house are usually not strengthened, and Rahu and Ketu are read from where they sit.
The sun sign or Moon sign alone is not enough to choose a ratna. Two people with the same sign can need different stones, or none.
Read about each stone
- Manik (ruby)
- Moti (pearl)
- Moonga (red coral)
- Panna (emerald)
- Pukhraj (yellow sapphire)
- Heera (diamond)
- Neelam (blue sapphire)
- Gomed (hessonite)
- Lehsunia (cat’s eye)
- Opal
- Gemstone by date of birth
- Crystals and gemstones
How a ratna is commonly worn
A ratna is usually set so that its back touches the skin, in the metal linked with its planet, and worn on the working hand, usually the right.
It is commonly first worn on the weekday of its planet, in the bright half of the month (shukla paksha), after the ring has been rinsed in raw milk and Gangajal and a short prayer to the planet.
The weight is set by the astrologer. Ranges are often given in ratti: the gem trade’s ratti (pakki ratti) is about 0.91 carat, while the older goldsmith’s ratti is about 0.61 carat, so ask which one is meant. These are commonly suggested practices and differ between traditions.
Buying a stone safely
- Ask for a report from an independent gem testing laboratory. It should name the stone, say whether it is natural or laboratory-grown, and list any treatment such as heating, filling or dyeing.
- Look-alikes are common: topaz or citrine sold as pukhraj, iolite or glass as neelam, glass-filled ruby, dyed coral, lab-grown diamond. An upratna is fine when it is sold under its own name.
- Home tests are unreliable and some damage the stone. Keep the report with the stone.
Crystals: the gentler option
Crystals such as rose quartz, citrine or amethyst are not worn to strengthen a planet. They are kept at home or work, or worn as a pendant, as a reminder of an intention, and are the usual choice when a ratna is not advised.
Read the crystal guide: twelve popular crystals, their uses and how to tell real from fake
Tools and guides
- Gemstone calculator: the stones of your Mulank and Bhagyank
- Janam Kundli calculator: your lagna and planets
- Lagna calculator
- Which gemstone should I wear? The two ways explained
- Mulank 1 to 9: meaning
- Lal Kitab remedies
- Crystal guide: meanings, uses and how to spot fakes
- Crystals and gemstones with Namieta
Questions about navratna gemstones
What is navratna?
Navratna means "nine gems". They are the nine ratnas of the nine grahas: Ruby (Sun), Pearl (Moon), Red Coral (Mars), Emerald (Mercury), Yellow Sapphire (Jupiter), Diamond or White Sapphire (Venus), Blue Sapphire (Saturn), Hessonite (Rahu) and Cat’s Eye (Ketu). Each stone is linked with one planet.
Can I wear a navratna ring or pendant with all nine stones?
A navratna ring or pendant holds all nine stones in a set pattern, usually with ruby in the centre. Some astrologers treat it as a balanced piece that anyone may wear, while others advise against wearing the strong stones without a chart check. Ask before you wear one.
Which gemstone suits my Mulank?
Each number from 1 to 9 has a planet and a stone. The gemstone calculator shows the stones of your Mulank and Bhagyank. Treat it as a starting point: the stone is chosen from your Kundli.
Can I wear two or more stones together?
Only after a chart check. Stones whose planets are treated as unfriendly, such as ruby and blue sapphire, are commonly not worn together. Each stone page lists the stones usually kept apart from it.
Will a gemstone solve my problems?
No stone can promise a result. Gemstones are part of a tradition, not medicine or financial advice. Please see a doctor for health concerns and a qualified adviser for money matters.
Does Namieta sell gemstones?
Namieta advises on and sells crystals and gemstones, and she suggests a stone only after checking your Kundli. Ask on WhatsApp what is available; see crystals and gemstones.