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Gems and Prosperity

By Hari Jiwan Singh

Traditionally, gemstones have been worn to offset negative effects in an astrological chart. Long ago, they were worn for healing. Recently, gemstones have been worn to augment benevolent effects in one's chart, and only very recently have they been worn as ornamentation or symbols of wealth.

The perceived catch twenty-two in wearing gems for prosperity is that one must already be prosperous before he or she can afford to wear them. However, this is no longer the case. In the past, gems were the playground of the aristocracy. Now, however, with the many new sources of supply, a strong middle class, and the myriad of substitute stones, gems are available to almost everyone. For instance, a blue sapphire may cost up to $10,000 a carat, but substituting an amethyst may cost only $10 per carat.

With the exception of a few organic gems such as coral or pearl, a gem is the highest concentration of mineral energy in a crystallized form on the planet. In addition, when a gem is examined through a prism, its true cosmic color is revealed, allowing for color therapy. If worn properly, this concentrated energy is projected into one's body with exponential results. The more sensitive one is, the more this effect is experienced.

Let's get some of the particulars out of the way. It should be noted that, although there are certain general rules with respect to a specific gemstone's effect, there are many external factors such as astrological charts, biorhythms, and sensitivity, which affect the nature of a gem. The science of combining these factors has been practiced in India for thousands of years. This is part of Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, and is referred to as "gemology." This practice is usually combined with astrology, herbology, and homeopathy.

In India, practitioners vary as widely as spiritual teachers do themselves. In fact, gemology is a conscious art, as well as a science, and thus the most conscious and intuitive practitioners are the best.

Since we in the West do not normally have the ability to take advantage of these masters, there are certain general rules that we can apply to help ourselves in wearing gems. Although general rules apply en masse, all gemstones should be worn experimentally to seek out their benevolent or malevolent effects individually.

For instance, a blue sapphire should never be worn extensively without first experimenting with its effects. Because this gem has tremendous power, as well as some malevolent effects, personal experience is key.

When selecting a gem, one should always seek out the most flawless and the purest of color available. The cut should be proportional so as not to drain the energy from the gem, and the size should be large enough to render the wanted effect. Of course, all this is relative to the amount spent, but these are the criteria. Thus, sometimes it would be better to obtain a better quality and larger substitute gem than an undersized and flawed primary one.

When I refer to substitute and primary gems, what do I mean? The tools used in gemology are the nine treasures or navratanas of Ayurveda. These gems are diamond, pearl, ruby, coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat's eye, yellow sap­ phire, and emerald. These stones are called primary gems, and they are the most powerful, but usually also the most expensive.

We should always aspire to wear the most auspicious gem. Because it is very expensive to purchase a flawless, "pigeon blood" colored Burmese ruby of perfect cut that is two carats or larger, we may have to settle for a lesser quality and size of stone and, thus, experience inauspicious results. This is not acceptable! It would be better to purchase a beautifully cut, crimson spinel of exquisite beauty for a fraction of the cost. The mineral content and cosmic color in the spinel are virtually the same as those in the ruby.

An interesting example of how close some gems mimic each other is the story of the "Ruby" in the British Crown Jewels. For 500 years it was thought that this magnificent stone in the Crown, known as the "Black Ruby," was a ruby from Burma. Recently, with modem technology, it was determined that this famous gem was a spine!, not a ruby! Well, easy come, easy go.

Well, all this is great information, but how about gems and prosperity? “What gems should I wear?” “Which gem is best for me?”

People familiar with gemology know that the yellow sapphire is the most powerful gem for prosperity. It is relatively inexpensive and beautiful. It is equated with good luck, wealth, and discipline. Its cosmic color is violet, and the planet Jupiter rules it. Substitute gems are yellow citrine or topaz. It is good for everyone to wear; however, you may be seeking more specific effects. For example, gems can help in providing a catalyst for creating desired states of mind. In relation to prosperity it means the following:

If you have determined that not being able to make a wholehearted commitment is an issue blocking your prosperity, then coral is the gem to wear. Coral is ruled by the planet Mars and is the cosmic color yellow. It is aggressive, courageous, and warrior-like, and it will help in making a commitment stand up. Coral is one of the few gems that is not transparent. As such, it will help in making a commitment solid and not transparent, and this will be done with a warlike vigor. Coral is usually not an extremely expensive stone, but it may be and can be out of reach for some. Carnelian or red jasper can be worn as substitutes and are relatively inexpensive.

If discipline is the perceived issue, then ruby is the stone for you. Ruby is ruled by the Sun and has a red cosmic ray. It is disciplined and is the source of all existing earthly phenomena. A ruby not only helps in providing the fire for discipline, but also helps in providing the earthly knowledge through intuition of what discipline should be followed. Rubies are very expensive. One may want to purchase a substitute gem such as a red spinel, a red garnet, a red zircon, or a red tourmaline, which make excellent replacements.

If the acceptance of higher expectations is needed, then an emerald is the gem for you. The planet Mercury rules the emerald and its cosmic color is green. An emerald has the virtue of being flexible, tolerant, delicate or subtle, and communicative. Like the ruby, an emerald is an expensive stone. An aquamarine, a green zircon, a green tourmaline, or a peridot can be worn as a substitute and are of varying prices. One should work for you.

It should be further noted that the other gemstones of the navratanas of Ayurveda might also be worn in promoting prosperity. A cat's eye is worn, among other things, to promote intuition. Anyone seeking prosperity should always be one step (or more) ahead of time. A pearl is worn for imagination and flexibility; these two virtues go hand and hand with success.

A blue sapphire is often worn for patience and reflection; it's sometimes required to step back and see where one is in order to continue in the proper vein. Hessonite (a brown or yellowish brown variety of garnet) is sometimes worn to enhance our animalistic or hedonistic nature. As such, when positioned correctly, it is capable of granting fame, wealth, beauty, and knowledge. And, a diamond is worn for love, beauty, and attraction; these virtues are self-evident.

Remember, when in doubt, wear a yellow sapphire. It will always help. However, if a more specific need is perceived, the above list should help.

It should be further noted that certain conditions highlight the effects of wearing gems. All gems, if they are worn as a ring, should be worn touching or as dose to the skin as possible. They should be set in an open bezel so the light can filter through the stone directly into the body. And, each stone mentioned should be worn on the third, or Sun, finger, with the exception of the yellow sapphire, which may also be worn on the first, or Jupiter, finger.

Wearing gems is fun, beautiful, creative, enlightening, and can bring prosperity. It is just another tool in this fabulous kingdom, but it is a very powerful one. Those, who have experienced the effects, swear by them. Find out for yourself and enjoy.


Originally published in Aquarian Times, Autumn 2001