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What are Jyotish Quality Gemstones? Beliefs &
Facts 1 | planetarygems.com
In this article, we will talk
about the general beliefs that most people have when approaching
astrological, Jyotish Vedic gems and Sideral
gemology. Yes, beliefs and theories
are so many that we feel the urge to clarify
and... simplify.
It is a widespread concept that a potent Jyotish
quality gemstone should be of
flawless
clarity,
untreated, and of a certain
carat weight. These
are
the most commonly accepted
features for a good, Jyotish quality gem.
Let's first talk about clarity,
classified as the degree of flawlessness. As a rule, a clear, transparent gemstones with no visible
flaws is the
most
valued. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) classifies colored gems
clarity of three types:
Type 1 gemstones: "virtually inclusion-free" such as aquamarine, topaz,
green tourmaline, tanzanite, citrine, damburite.
Type 2 gemstones: "usually included" such as rubies, sapphires,
garnets, peridots, amethysts, zircons, chrysoberyl cat's eyes, pearls, corals.
Type 3 gemstones: almost "always included", such as emeralds and red tourmalines.
As per the most widespread and accepted Jyotish, gemological principle, a
propitious
gem SHOULD be flawless. Most of the Jyotish astrologers would mention this characteristic as
the primary one for auspicity and good
fortune. It is also alluded in the Vedic scriptures
dealing with gemology that
"inward luster, transparency, illumination with rays, sparkle, free from
impurities and good formation of the shape are the characteristics of good gems"
(Agni Purana, 246.13-14)
As per the GIA classification
above, expect to get flawless
gems in type1category. These gems can,
however, be increasingly harder to get in flawless
clarity in large sizes, let's say above 5 cts.
Type2 gemstones include basically all the nine,
primary Jyotish gems such as rubies, all colors sapphires, including yellow, blue, white, all garnets
(including hessonite), chrysoberyl
cat's eyes,
pearls, and corals. So expect to get
the astrological gemstones, the majority of them, "usually included"
(see the GIA classification about clarity above)
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This
picture of a 19th century, Indian Navaratna (kindly permitted by a
private
collector) shows well enough the poor clarity of each gem.
They are all opaque
to translucent at the most, except for possibly for the uncut brown
diamond, the orange hessonite, the center emerald, that look to have a certain
degree of transparency.
So, if a Jyotish gem should be flawless, then, why all the gems used in this
gorgeous Indian Navaratna are NOT flawless (not even eye clean)?
Because natural, untreated
gemstones are NOT easily available in
complete flawless clarity.
Thus, when choosing a Jyotish stone, look for
eye clean clarity.
In other words, an auspicious Jyotish gem should appear clean when viewed with
the naked eye.
Remember that
emeralds are an exception,
as they are type3 gems, and almost always included. Emeralds will always have some
imperfections
internally and/or externally.
But again, it
is important that the "jardin" or emerald inclusions are few, not
distracting, and the overall
presence is transparent and enjoyable. |
A few words about
color...We
think that color is not a key factor in a Jyotish quality gem. Although color is
paramount in determining a colored stone value in today's market,
combined with the other variables of clarity, cut and carat
weight, there is no scientific proof that, for astrological purposes, a darker
stone versus a lighter one has more power or vice versa. As we see it, it is a
karmic choice.
Let me explain... If somebody makes $50,000 per
month, it will not have great problems in purchasing a top, colored gem of good
carat weight of few thousands dollars. On the other hand, if another person has
not access to a big amount of cash, he or she, instinctually will go for a less
expensive, lighter tone gem. It is our present karmic situation that will
determine our preferences and choices. In both cases, both stones, the more expensive and the
less expensive will effectively be suitable in terms of astrological power, for those particular people.
Sticking with gemological
facts and forgetting for a moment the "spiritual" component, keep in mind
that in gemmy colors
(gemmy color means that a colored gem has the finest color
found), light imperfections are totally accepted and forgiven,
as a top color gem is always very rare, especially in sizes
over 5 cts. "Gem
quality" stone is a specimen
that has top color (usually a medium-dark, well saturated primary color, without
being too dark or blackish), top clarity (note that I did not say perfect
clarity) and is over 5 ct.s in size.
On the other hand, lighter colors should have excellent clarity,
should be well cut and should be relatively less costly compared to gem quality
stones.
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