Manik (ruby): who should wear it and how

Ruby at a glance

What ruby is

Ruby is the red variety of corundum. Its colour comes from traces of chromium, and the most valued shade is a strong, slightly purplish red. Small natural inclusions are normal and are one of the signs a laboratory uses to tell a natural ruby from a lab-made one.

What ruby is traditionally linked with

Traditionally linked with confidence, visibility and leadership.

• confidence, self-respect and leadership
• authority, government work and public life
• the relationship with the father
• being seen and recognised at work

These are traditional associations, not promises. A stone is not medicine or financial advice, and no result is guaranteed.

Who ruby is traditionally suggested for

Ruby is most often considered when the Sun is the lagna lord (Simha lagna) or rules a trine, and sits well in the chart.

In Jyotish a ratna is chosen from the Kundli, not from the sun sign or Moon sign alone. The usual starting point is the lagna (ascendant): the stone of the lagna lord is commonly the first one considered, then the stones of the planets that rule the 5th and 9th houses (the trines). Planets that rule only the 6th, 8th or 12th house are usually not strengthened. The table applies that rule to Sun for each of the 12 lagnas. It is a starting point only: Sun’s sign, house, strength and the running dasha are read before a stone is suggested.

Find your lagna with the lagna calculator

Who should be careful

A ruby is usually avoided when the Sun rules the 6th, 8th or 12th house for your lagna, or is badly placed. People who already find themselves impatient or quick to anger are often advised to start with a crystal instead.

Stones commonly not worn with ruby: diamond (Heera), blue sapphire (Neelam), hessonite (Gomed) and cat’s eye (Lehsunia). Their planets are treated as unfriendly in the planet friendship table used on this site.

How ruby is commonly worn

These are commonly suggested practices, and they differ between traditions and astrologers. Follow the advice given with your chart. The gem trade’s ratti (pakki ratti) is about 0.91 carat; the older goldsmith’s ratti is smaller, about 0.61 carat, so ask which one is meant.

Substitutes and crystals

The upratna (substitute stones) commonly used for Sun are Red Garnet and Red Spinel. They are read as gentler than ruby and are often suggested when the main ratna is not advised. Crystals often chosen for Sun are Sunstone, Citrine and Carnelian.

Sunstone and citrine are often chosen as a reminder to step forward and be seen.

Natural, treated or imitation?

• Most rubies on the market are heated. Heating is widely accepted, but it should be stated on the report.
• Glass-filled (lead glass) ruby is widely sold as a cheap ruby. It is much less durable and can be damaged by heat and household chemicals.
• Lab-made ruby has the same chemistry as a natural one and can look flawless. Only a laboratory can confirm which one you have.
• Red glass, garnet and red spinel are sometimes sold as ruby.

Home tests (water, flame, scratching, rubbing) are unreliable and some damage the stone. Buy with a report from an independent gem testing laboratory that names the stone, says whether it is natural or laboratory-grown, and lists any treatment. Keep the report with the stone.

Caring for ruby

• Clean it with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry it with a soft cloth.
• If the report mentions glass filling, avoid heat, ultrasonic cleaners and chemicals altogether.
• Store it on its own: ruby is hard enough to scratch most other stones.
• Take the ring off for heavy work, gardening, cleaning with chemicals and swimming.

Find out more

• Gemstone calculator: the stones of your Mulank and Bhagyank
• Janam Kundli calculator: your lagna and planets
• Which gemstone should I wear? The two ways explained
• Mulank 1: meaning and traits
• Lal Kitab remedies for Sun
• Crystal guide: pyrite, amethyst, rose quartz and more
• Crystals and gemstones with Namieta
• All navratna stones

Other navratna stones

• Moti (pearl)
• Moonga (red coral)
• Panna (emerald)
• Pukhraj (yellow sapphire)
• Heera (diamond)
• Neelam (blue sapphire)
• Gomed (hessonite)
• Lehsunia (cat’s eye)
• Opal