A Spiritual Perspective on Gemstones

India has a rich legacy, spanning 5,000 years, of jewellery embedded with gemstones. There is a wide range of gemstones made of various mineral crystals highly prized for their beauty, durability, and rarity. A few non-crystalline materials of organic origin (e.g. pearl, red coral) are also classified as gemstones. The most commonly used gemstones in India are the Navaratnas, namely pearl, coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat’s eye, yellow sapphire, emerald, ruby and diamond.

Today, a lot of scientific study has been conducted in the field of gemstones, known as gemology. However, there is a very superficial understanding, if at all, of the spiritual aspects of gemstones. The prevalent understanding of the spiritual aspects pertains mostly to the area of use of gemstones as advised by astrologers. In the next few articles we will shed light on the spiritual aspects of a few gemstones. This will give an idea of where the physical aspects of various gemstones stand compared with their spiritual aspects.

1. Spiritual benefits of wearing jewellery embedded with gemstones

Various gemstones such as diamond, ruby, sapphire, coral and emerald are embedded in gold and silver jewellery. The body acquires Tejtattva (Radiance) due to these gemstones. The rays coming from the Sun, Moon and other planets are reflected from these gemstones with a favourable effect on the physical body. For example :

A. Ruby imparts Shakti (Divine energy) and thus provides protection to the physical body.

B. Coral awakens Chetana (Sentience) in the form of Pranashakti Principle in the body, thus lending momentum to various activities.

C. Pearl is associated with the Apatattva (Absolute Water Principle), which keeps the Chetana continuously awakened. Hence, the wearer is blessed with alertness and joyousness. Of course, the spiritual benefit obtained from artificial gemstones is far inferior to that obtained from the natural ones.

2. Association between gemstones used in jewellery and bhav (Spiritual emotion)

Gemstones used in jewellery attract divinity with the aid of the five Cosmic Principles and transmit them as per the need of the wearer. However, maximum benefit from the divinity attracted by the jewellery is obtained only if the jewellery is worn with the bhav that it is a medium of attracting divinity.

3. Wearing gems to avoid grahadosh

The Sanskrut word ‘Graha’ is often taken as the equivalent of the English word ‘Planet’. It is not strictly correct. ‘Graha’ refers to an entity that has the power to ‘seize’, ‘lay hold of’ or ‘grasp’. Thus, the word ‘Graha’ goes beyond the word ‘Planet’ and describes the ability of celestial events to either influence or predict occurrences on earth. Please note that Sun is not a planet, it is a star. Also, Rahu and Ketu are not planets; indeed they do not even represent physical entities. Grahas rule each life experience and different stages of our lives. Understanding the true significance of the Grahas in our lives helps bring a higher consciousness, thus releasing us from their grasp or hold on us. To avoid or overcome Grahadosh (Distress of malefic position of Grahas in the horoscope), use of rings with specific precious stones is advised in astrology as follows.

Graha	Precious stone	Finger
1. Ravi (Sun)	Ruby	Ring finger
2. Chandra (Moon)	Pearl	Little finger
3. Mangal (Mars)	Coral	Ring finger
4. Budha (Mercury)	Emerald	Little finger
5. Guru (Jupiter)	Yellow sapphire	Ring finger
6. Shukra (Venus)	Diamond	Index finger **
7. Shani (Saturn)	Blue sapphire	Middle finger
8. Rahu (Northern lunar node)	Hessonite	Little finger
9. Ketu (South- ern lunar node)	Cat’s eye	Little finger

* Ring finger is the third finger from the thumb.

** Index finger is the finger next to the thumb.

4. Spiritual aspects of gemstones

Most of us are only aware of the physical attributes of gemstones. This includes their appearance, rarity and investment potential. However, gemstones also affect us at the spiritual level. Unfortunately, due to our ignorance about this aspect we do not obtain the complete benefit available from gemstones and are not able to protect ourselves from any harmful effect they may have on us. Here, we will share information on the spiritual aspects of diamonds. This will give our readers better insight into the factors to consider while buying diamonds.

5. Physical aspects of diamonds

The diamond is said to be every woman’s best friend. It’s a timeless piece of magic she cherishes all her life and when the time comes, it gets passed on to the next generation. The price of the diamond is affected by numerous factors like carat weight, clarity, cut and colour.

5A. Origin : The naturally found diamonds are rare due to their limited sources on earth. This makes them expensive. Nowadays, diamonds are developed in laboratories. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically the same as a natural diamond produced by the geological processes of nature. There is another variety known as diamond simulants or Cubic Zirconia or commonly as American diamonds. An American diamond is composed of different elements as compared to pure carbon used in manufacturing a diamond in the laboratory. It is very difficult for a layman or even for diamond merchants to make out the difference between real and artificial diamonds. This is why, it is best to insist on a diamond certificate from labs such as the GIA, AGS, IGI, EGL, GSI and HRD. Diamond certificate is a document we receive from an objective 3rd party lab that describes a diamond in all of its characteristics.

5B. Cuts or facets : The magic of a diamond lies in the little cuts within the stone. Cut does not refer to shape (pear, oval), but the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond. The most sparkling diamond cut is the round brilliant cut. Round brilliant diamonds are cut to have 58 facets, allowing light to enter the diamond and reflect off every facet to create a beautiful sparkle.

A fancy cut diamond is any diamond shape other than a round brilliant. The following are some of the most popular fancy cuts, but there are many others.

5C. Colour of diamonds : Colour diamonds are extremely rare. Given their rarity, they are also considered significantly more valuable and their demand is considerably higher. Diamonds come in 27 base colours. Red diamonds are the most rare and most expensive of all the colour diamonds.

6. Spiritual characteristics of diamonds

After understing some of the physical aspects of diamonds and what decides their popularity and price, let us now look at some of their spiritual aspects.

6A. Proportion of trigunas : Trigunas are the subtle basic components of nature of which all things living and nonliving are composed of. Subtle means that which is beyond the comprehension of the five senses, mind and intellect.

Triguna	Proportion (Per cent)
1. Sattva	20
2. Raja	30
3. Tama	50
Total	100

6B. Predominant Cosmic Principle : Diamond is the only gemstone among the Navaratnas that is predominant in Prithvitattva (Absolute Earth Principle). The others are predominant in Apatattva (Absolute Water Principle) and Tejtattva (Absolute Fire Principle).

6C. Various energies present in diamonds and their characteristics

6C 1. Energy of attraction : The inherent Prithvitattva in diamonds creates gravity. This is why, there is energy of attraction in diamonds in a subtle form. This energy affects the mind and intellect of people in contact with a diamond. Hence, people are attracted to diamonds.

6C 2. Stability and density : Diamond gets its stability from the Prithvitattva and density from the Tamoguna. Hence, when compared with the other gemstones, the positive and negative energies absorbed by dia-monds remains in them for a long time.

7. Spiritual effects of wearing diamond jewellery

7A. Covering of distressing energy forming on the person : As diamond has a high proportion of Tama, it has a high capacity to attract Tama component.

This is why, upon wearing diamond jewellery, distressing energy is attracted to the wearer in higher proportion than the Divine Principle. Distressing energy enters the body from the part where the diamond is worn and spreads all over the body. Thus, a covering of distressing energy is formed around that body. This covering blocks the flow of Divine Energy which flows continuously towards the person. It becomes easy for subtle negative energies to gain control over a person whose body, mind and intellect are charged with distressing energy. This will become more apparent from the following subtle picture.

7B. Effect of wearing a diamond ring : Energy in the body is continuously emitting from the tips of the fingers. Upon wearing a diamond ring, due to the Tama component in the diamond, instead of being thrown out, the distressing energy remains stored inside the body. This results in a variety of problems or else the distressing energy has a prolonged effect on the mind and intellect.

7C. Effect of wearing diamond earrings : Upon wearing diamond earrings, the Tama component in it spreads in their Sun and Moon channel of the Kundalini system. Consequently, as the Tama component increases in both the channels, obstacles are created in their functioning. This leads to various physical ailments.

7D. Effect of wearing a diamond necklace and nose-ring : Upon wearing a diamond necklace and nose-ring, the Tama component in the diamond affects the Anahat-chakra (Heart chakra) and the Panchaprana (5 Vital energies) respectively. This leads to obstacles in the flow of the subtle energy flow system. As a result, the efficiency of the wearer reduces and various physical ailments develop.

8. Why astrology advises use of diamonds, despite their adverse effects at the spiritual level ?

8A. Benefit of wearing diamond jewellery as per astrology : As per astrology, diamond is associated with the planet Venus. This is why, some astrologers advise people of Taurus (Vrishabh rashi) and Libra (Tula rashi) Zodiac signs with weak Venus to wear a diamond ring. They believe that this bestows happiness and prosperity as well as marital bliss.

8B. Spiritual science underlying benefit upon wearing a diamond : In case of attack by subtle negative energies and other various factors, if there is obstacle in the manifestation of the Prithvitattva, the person cannot experience worldly pleasures. To alleviate this problem, comparatively inferior level remedy such as wearing a diamond is advised. This is similar to applying black mark on face to ward off an evil eye. Hence, we can try wearing diamond jewellery for some time. If it gives the desired benefit, we can continue with it, else we can stop wearing it. The effect of a diamond can change as per the wearer.

8C. Limitation of remedy of wearing diamond jewellery : A person who is at a spiritual level above 50 per cent does not need inferior remedies such as wearing diamond jewellery. However, those who are at a lower spiritual level can perceive 20-30 per cent relief in their problem upon wearing specific gemstones. However, chanting God’s Name advised by Saints and Gurus provides more than 30 to 40 per cent benefit.

Spiritual level : We use a scale of 1-100% to describe the spiritual level. 1% would refer to the spiritual level of an inanimate object, while 100% would refer to the pinnacle of spiritual growth for a person, which is Self-realisation or becoming one with God.

8D. Limitation of wearing diamonds as a remedy : In the present times, craftsmen are not well-versed in the art of making sattvik jewellery; they make jewellery that is Raja-Tama predominant. Hence, instead of being beneficial, the benefit of the remedy of wearing a specific gemstone can turn out to be detrimental. This is why, it is more beneficial to perform spiritual practice such as chanting God’s Name under the guidance of Saints.

9. Factors that decide the sattvikata (Spiritual purity) of diamond jewellery

9A. Origin : Diamonds found naturally in mines are more sattvik compared to the diamonds created in laboratories. Naturally found diamonds have some capacity to absorb Divine Energy. In contrast, diamonds produced in laboratories can only absorb and emit distressing energy. This is why, jewellery made with natural diamonds is comparatively more sattvik.

9B. Size : The larger the diamond, the more the Prithvitattva and Tama component in it. Hence, the energy of attraction in it is also more. If the wearer does not have the ability to tolerate the distressing energy absorbed due to the high energy of attraction, she can experience distress. It is better to buy jewellery which has medium to small size diamonds. But those who are at a higher spiritual level, such as Saints, can wear larger diamonds.

9C. Shape of the diamond : Presently, square and heart-shaped or triangular-shaped diamonds are more prevalent. A square shape attracts inferior energies associated with the 8 directions; whereas, the heart shape attracts distressing energy from the environment as well as Hell and Nether regions. Hence, these shapes can lead to more distress. Round diamonds are better.

9D. Colour of diamonds : White diamond has the ability to attract waves of all Deity Principles and provide the wearer with the requisite Principle. Hence, spiritually it is the best. From the spiritual perspective, the colours in descending order of spiritual benefit are as follows.

9D 1. Superior 9D 2. Medium

9D 3. Inferior

9E. Cuts : Among the round brilliant and fancy cut varieties, round brilliant is more sattvik. Among the round brilliant cuts, a combination of ‘8 star facets’ and ‘8 kite facets’ is sattvik. Other cuts in the round brilliant variety are Raja-Tama predominant. Fancy cuts increase the Tama component.

9F. Number of cuts : The ability to absorb and emit energy increases with the number of cuts on the diamond. Since the diamond is basically distressing, the more the facets the more its capacity to emit Tama component. This increases the possibility of adverse effect of the diamond on the wearer.

9G. Number of diamonds : The ability to attract positive or negative energy increases depending on the number of diamonds. Hence, the more the diamonds, higher is the energy absorbed. In the present times, the capacity of humans to tolerate negative energy is low. Hence, wearing jewellery with more than 9 diamonds can lead to distress if the wearer is not able to tolerate the energy attracted by the diamonds. Thus, jewellery with 1-3 diamonds is comparatively more sattvik, with 4-9 diamonds is medium and with more than 9 diamonds is spiritually inferior.

9H. Proportion of gold and diamonds in the jewellery : A natural single diamond in a setting of pure gold is the most sattvik diamond jewellery. If the jewellery consists primarily of gold, the pure Tejtattva active in gold affects the Prithvitattva in the diamond and reduces the Tama component in it.

It also absorbs Divine Energy. This keeps the jewellery spiritually purer. In this way, instead of distressing energy being attracted to the diamond, Divine Energy is easily attracted to it.

Silver can also be used in place of gold, but the sattvikata and efficiency of the jewellery is reduced by 30 per cent.

10. Spiritual purification of diamond jewellery

Diamond is basically a Tama predominant gemstone. Hence, subtle negative energies can easily use it to create distress for the wearer. Subtle negative energies have to use 20 per cent of their energy to create distress through other jewellery, but with diamond jewellery they need use only 5 per cent energy.

In the present times of high Raja-Tama components everywhere, the subtle negative energies have become more powerful. Hence, it is not advisable to wear diamond jewellery for long periods.

However, if it needs to be worn, it should be purified with smoke of sattvik incense-sticks. Also, the jewellery can be stored after applying vibhuti (Holy ash). These measures help reduce the attack of negative energies on the jewellery, thus retaining its sattvikata (Spiritual purity).

Authors : Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale (Founder, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay) and Dr. (Mrs.) Nandini Samant (Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay research team member, Goa)

For more information, contact : +91 9561574972

E-mail : [email protected]