When it comes to buying astrological gemstones, it’s important to make an informed purchase. Because the quality of the gemstone is the primary factor in determining how effective it will be for Vedic Astrology, being able to delineate between a top-quality and a poor-quality Jyotish gemstone is very important if optimal results are desired.
Determining Quality: The “Four C’s” & Treatment
Quality can be summarized using a criteria often known as the Four C’s: Color, clarity, cutting (proportions), and carat weight. Treatment (or lack thereof) also comes into play when assessing both value and suitability for Jyotish prescription.
Clarity
One of the most important factors in determining a gemstone’s astrological quality is its clarity. Jyotish gemstones should be flawless to the naked eye. It is normal and natural, however, to have minor inclusions under high levels of magnification. These minuscule inclusions can prove that a gem has not been heated, for example, and can also indicate the gemstone’s country of origin. (Note: Emeralds, a Type 3 Gemstone, are more heavily included than other astrological gemstones. It is normal, and expected, to see some insignificant inclusions with the naked eye when evaluating even the finest quality emeralds.)
Color
Another extremely important factor in determining a gemstone’s quality is its color: levels of saturation, tone, and hue. The deeper the color saturation, the more rare, valuable, and powerful the gemstone – both as a collector’s piece, and as an astrological gem. (Note: while heat-treating blue and yellow sapphires will increase their color saturation, this must be avoided for Jyotish. Only unheated yellow and blue sapphires produce astrological benefit.)
Cut
The proportions of the cutting are also important. If the cut is too flat, with not enough depth, it will not display the fire and brilliance that is desirable. It will also hinder the astrological benefit, as a stone’s ability to transmit and reflect light is directly related to its ability to transmit planetary energy.
Carat Weight
Finally, the carat weight comes into play. Many astrologers recommend very large gemstones without taking quality into account. Remember, a 5ct ruby that is poor quality will have virtually no Jyotish benefit, but a 1 carat ruby that is extremely pure will have tremendous Jyotish power. Size means nothing when quality is not considered too.
(Read more about ideal Jyotish gemstone sizes here.)
Treatment There are many ways to treat or enhance a gemstone to improve the apparent beauty and value of a poor quality gem. Treating a poor quality sapphire can give it a more refined appearance, enhance its color or clarity, and increase its commercial value, but such stones are still not effective for astrological purposes. It can take years, even decades, to learn how to distinguish between an untreated and a treated gemstone. That’s why this old adage exists: find someone you can trust with an impeccable reputation, and do business with that trusted source.
Natural, Not Lab-Grown
Astrological Gem believes that gemstones should be natural, and not lab-grown, for optimal effectiveness. Lab-grown gems may work as form of color therapy, which could produce a small percentage of the benefits of natural gems, but we believe that stripping the consciousness of Planet Earth from the gemstone formation process (something that can take the earth hundreds of thousands of years to do) results in a hasty creation of a synthetic product that lacks the same spirit and mystical essence as natural astrological gems.
Sattvic Energy
One of the most important qualities of an excellent Jyotish gemstone is esoteric, not seen by the eye at all. It’s the gemstone’s sattva, which is Sanskrit for “sweetness.” This is the inner vitality of the gem – the purity, effervescence, and liveliness of the stone. Our clients frequently pick up on this sensation when they first interact with our gemstones.
Astrological Gem is a trusted source for planetary gemstones, reinforced by over 30 years of experience. We are knowledgeable, price-competitive, and always happy to be of service.
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Tiffany April Raines is the Head of Sales at Astrological Gem International. Trained at the American College of Vedic Astrology and certified as a gemstone advisor through the Planetary Gemologists Association, she has been serving the Vedic Astrology community with research-based gemstone insight and advice for over 10 years. She can be contacted at tiffany@astrologicalgem.com.
Please note: In order to provide the most time and best service possible for our paying customers, we are no longer able to respond to all of the requests we receive for gemstone recommendations. We welcome you instead to try our Free Gem Report if you are still in the learning and research phase of your Jyotish gemstone journey. This can be found at AstrologicalGem.com.
