(This hub is published on 
 June o8, 2008.)

Astrology and palmistry are subjects people very much interested in. Planets and zodiac are related to astrology and palmistry. astrologers and palmists prescribe gemstones especially Navaratna (Graharatna, Rashiratna) as a remedy to evil affects of planets. Particular gemstones such as ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, hessonite and cat's eye are prescribed for particular planets.

People have a fascination to know the future and astrology and palmistry claim to forecast the same. Though both the astrology and palmistry are not accepted by the scientists as a science but the masses believe on the said as there is no other popular way to peep into one's future.

Curiosity to know the unknown is inbuilt in human nature and if it is for himself, with higher intensity. Future is unknown so the curiosity remains. A lot of science fictions are written and screened about Time machine. This shows how much even the scientists are interested in the topic.

A course on astrology is started in a University in Andhra Pradesh, India and a lot of Doctors, architects and engineers have joined the course according to the University sources. This is only one of many examples that how even the educated people are interested in the topic.

No serious research is conducted to ascertain whether both the Astrology and Palmistry are scientific or not. Both these are rejected by the so-called scientists as non-scientific without properly examining and experimenting. This very attitude of the so-called scientists is really non-scientific.

Leaving apart all this arguments let us move to the topic itself.

Indian astrology believes in a strong relationship between planets (Navagraha) and gemstones. Planets are further in relationship with zodiac thus gemstones. Palmistry is also linked with those planets.

According to Indian astrological system there are nine planets too as per the modern science but it differs from it some way. The Earth is not counted as a planet and is replaced by the Sun. Rahu and Ketu are there to replace Neptune and Pluto.

Rahu and Ketu are referred as shadow planets and rest of the seven are correlated with zodiac. All seven days of a week is also named after those seven planets.

Further, the Sun is correlated to Leo the fifth sign of zodiac, the Moon to the fourth, the Marsh to the first and eighth and the Mercury to the third and sixth Zodiac signs. The Jupiter is related to the ninth and twelfth, the Venus to the second and seventh and the Saturn is to tenth and eleventh.

The lines of palms are also correlated with planets being the zones of palms distributed to particular planets. Gemstones are specified for particular planets according to the colors of gemstones matching to the planets.

The red colored Ruby is assigned to the sun and the white pearl to the moon. The red coral is for the red colored marsh and green emerald to mercury whose color is green in Indian astrology. Yellow sapphire is for the Jupiter; diamond is for the dazzling white Venus and blue sapphire for the Saturn. Hessonite and chrysoberil cat's eye are for shadow planets Rahu and Ketu respectively.

Indian astrologers predict future viewing positions of planets in one's horoscope and in the space. As the planets move they cross all the zodiac signs in due course. These positions are called Gochara. Situation of planets in the horoscope is determined through Lagna and Rashi. It is further elaborated through Bhava, Vimsottari Dasha etc. One's life is determined through these various parameters. Calculation of Navamansh Kundali is an advanced step.

Calculating with various methods specified above an astrologer determines which planet or planets are responsible for ones fortune or misfortune. Position or strength of a planet or planets plays a crucial role in determining the same.

Gem stones (Dianmond and Color stones) are prescribed as per the planet determined responsible for fortune or misfortune. Again it is prescribed in a particular carat weight (Ratti that is equal to 0.91 carat). Astrologers prescribe a particular Ratti weight say 3 or 4 Ratti according to the age, strength of the planet etc. Generally a quarter Ratti is added to any integer (a whole number) as it is referred as auspicious. Thus the weight comes like three and a quarter Ratti or so.These Gemstones are then mounted into gold, silver or some other matals.

Ruby is prescribed for the sun, pearls for the moon and so on. These stones are then mounted in a ring or pendent or some other form of ornament and been worn. Some auspicious things like Pooja (worship) or Abhisheka (bathing stones with holy water) are also done before wearing the gemstone.

Besides wearing the particular gemstones such as yellow or blue sapphire or hessonite, there is a popular fashion of wearing Navaratna. All the nine gemstones for nine planets are combined together and put in an ornament. Navaratna rings and pendants are very popular preceded by tops or earrings. Bracelets and armlets. Necklace and bangles are also made of Navaratna.

In western countries 12 birthstones are used as per the month of birth. This topic is not covered in this hub.

There `are substitutes for these Navaratna. Those who cannot afford these precious stones go for substitute semi-precious. Ruby is substituted by low priced corundum or spinal, real Basra pearl by moon stone, emerald by beryl or fluoride, yellow sapphire by citrine and diamond by cubic zirconium (synthetic) or white tourmaline or rock crystal. Blue sapphire is substituted by kinite or iolite where as expensive chrysoberil cat's eye by cheaper appetite cat's eye.

Manufacturing, buying and selling of planetary stones and Navaratna along with making of jewellery is a very big business. In Indian context Kolkata, West Bengal is the biggest consumer market for the same. It is assumed that a yearly sale of Rs. 10 billion occurred only in Kolkata. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and other cities also have reasonably good consumers for the same.

Jaipur, the pink city of India manufactures and supplies all of these stones but diamond.

The main manufacturing hubs for diamond are situated in Gujarat and Mumbai.

Know more about diamonds: