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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)

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.


Attention! Examples of not Jyotish quality gemstones. Note the poor, opaque clarity. These gems, as per our opinion, should not be used as astrological remedy. Other people may express different opinions. This is usually the quality seen in many Indian, astrological, Jyotish jewelry sites.


Examples of Jyotish quality gemstones. Note the excellent, "eye clean" clarity. These gems should be used as effective, astrological remedies. Notice that the emerald is very clean and bears barely inclusions...


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