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EMERALD Panna (for Mercury)

Emerald improves faculties related to the brain such as memory, communication, intuition, the intellect, and the ability to learn. It is normally petal green or dark green in colour.

Emerald is a hot gem. It increases intelligence and brainpower, removes and cures fickle-mindedness, loss of memory, stammering, fear from souls and spirits, cools the harsh speech. One of the interesting observations about Emerald is that it is not prescribed for newly wed couples. It is said that newly married couples should not use it, as it impairs conjugal happiness due to reduction in sexual desires.

It is also useful for curing diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcer, asthma, insomnia, heart troubles, etc. Emerald should be used in gold of 3, 5, 7 or 10 ratti on 4th finger of right hand on Wednesday. An Emerald wearer is likely to find sufficient wealth.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Emerald, which is a Gem of Beryl family, is a silicate of beryllium and aluminium 3BeO.Al2O3.6SiO2. The colour of Emerald is mainly due to traces of chromium replacing aluminium ions in the hexagonal beryl crystal. It has a specific Gravity of 2.71, mean refractive index is 1.58 and hardness is 7.5 on the moh's scale.

OCCURRENCE

Emerald is found in Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Tanzania, South Africa, India, Australia, Austria, Pakistan, Kenya and Zambia. In India, Emeralds are found in Rajasthan, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

IDENTIFICATION

Emeralds from various mines have different kinds of inclusions. These inclusions can be seen with the naked eye, or else under magnification. If no inclusions are seen even under magnification, the chances are that the Gem under examination is either a piece of glass or a fake. The inclusions in Emeralds include flakes of mica, inclusions like fibre, milky white spots, straw and bamboos and small cubes of rock salt are also seen sometimes. Black spots are also seen in Emeralds.

Emeralds were formed when lava coming out from the volcanoes solidified on the surface of the earth. At this stage its fast solidification led to certain flaws in its crystal formation and certain foreign elements also got into it. The synthetic Emeralds contain nail-like inclusions, brush-marks or chains of bubbles.

RED CORAL Praval or Moonga (for Mars)

It is said that Red Coral instills courage in its wearer. It also helps in curing blood -related diseases. It is normally red in color. Coral ensures material happiness, recovery from diseases indicated by Mars such as fever, cough, bilious

complaints, smallpox, chickenpox, headache, loss of vitality, piles, boils, measles etc. It should be worn in silver or copper, and should be of 9, 11, 12 ratti, on Tuesday on 1st or 4th finger of right hand. It is a hot stone.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Coral is a product of sea. It is formed from the calcareous skeletons of myriads of tiny polyps (which means insect with many feet) which live in vast colonies in warm waters at a moderate depth. It is composed chiefly of calcium carbonate. This is arranged as fibres radiating from the central axis of the curving coral branches. Its specific Gravity is 2.68 and hardness is less than 4 on the Moh's scale. It is an opaque stone. Many forms of coral exist but only high quality Red, Pink, Blue, Black and white corals are used in jewellery.

OCCURRENCE

Corals are found in India, Italy, Australia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Malasia, South, Africa, Algeria and U.S.A.

IDENTIFICATION

Coral, being an opaque gem, is very difficult to identify. A lot of eye practice is required to differentiate between a natural and a manmade coral. Natural corals, if seen under magnification, always tell the story of their origin. They have black marks which are actually holes.

A very careful examination is required to identify a natural coral. As real corals are not very clear and if clear they are very costly. Manmade corals are very commonly found in the market places being sold as real corals.

DIAMOND Heera (for Venus).

It is said that the one who wears a Diamond has a luxurious life . Diamond is also supposed to enhance the name, fame and artistic quality of the person. Diamond is a hot gem. It creates goodness and removes evil and fearful thoughts in the native. It improves financial conditions and blesses the native with comforts and peace of mind. It also enhances sexual power. Also helpful in diabetes, diseases of urine, of private parts, syphilis, skin and uterine diseases. Diamond should he worn on 1st finger of right hand on Friday in gold or platinum. The weight should be 1/4 or 1/2 ratti.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

The name diamond comes from the Greek 'adamas', meaning 'invincible' in recognition of its exceptional hardness which makes it resist any form of abrasion by other minerals. Diamond is carbon in its pure form. Chemically there is no difference between diamond, coal and graphite. But the unique atomic bonding makes the difference. It has a specific gravity of 3.52, mean Refractive Index is 2.418 and has a hardness of 10 on the Moh's scale.

OCCURRENCE

Diamonds are found in South Africa, Australia, Russia, Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, Brazil and India. In India Diamonds are found in Madhya Pradesh, Orrisa and Andhra Pradesh.

IDENTIFICATION

For a Diamond to be real, it must possess some inclusions. These inclusions are visible by naked eye or under magnification. If no inclusions, black spots or milk patches, are visible in a Diamond then either it is a zirconia or piece of glass. Diamonds which do not have any inclusions under 50x magnification are very rare and can be found with collectors only. The small black spots visible in Diamonds are crystals of Graphite or other forms of Carbon. These black spots shine under light. Diamonds have an affinity for grease, the surface of a cut Diamond will generally have a film of grease if it had been handled.

The most important test of a diamond is that, all light entering the front of the stone is totally reflected from the back facets which form a series of mirrors. A well cut diamond if viewed from the back and held up to the light, will show only a pinpoint of light from the culet.

In addition, looking down on a brilliant-cut diamond one cannot see the wearer's finger below the stone, as can be seen in other stones. White light entering a diamond is dispersed into a spectrum of colours, giving flasks of different colours from the smaller crown facets.

Gomedh or Hessonite (for Rahu)

The shadow planet Rahu is supposed to be responsible for all sorts of delays or very late fulfillment of ambitions. Gomedh can help in achieving speedy success in less time than expected. Gomedh also improves dealing with people and protects its wearer from sudden misfortunes. This is normally reddish-chocolate in colour. Gomedh is cold in nature. It cures diseases caused by affliction of Rahu and Saturn. It also increases appetite, vitality, confers good health, wealth and happiness and all round prosperity. It is said to be the best gem to avert stomach ailments, disaster, insanity, and evil spirits.

It should be used in silver on Saturday on 2nd finger of right hand. The weight should be 6, 11, 13 ratti.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Its name comes from Greek 'esson' meaning 'inferior', since these gems are supposed to be less valuable. Gomedh is a Gem of the Garnet family. Magnets can pull these Gems, which is a very special phenomenon, as magnets otherwise pull only certain metals. Chemically it is known as Grossular (3CaO.Al2O3.3SiO2). It is found in number of colours like green and pink but generally it is orange brown. It has a hardness of 7.25 on the Moh's Scale, specific gravity is 3.65 and Refractive Index is 1.74.

OCCURRENCE

It is available in abundance. It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Australia, Tanzania, South Africa, Burma, Mexico, Russia, Italy, Kenya, Canada, U.S.A, and Malaysia. In India it is found in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Bihar. Gaya mines in Bihar are the biggest source of this gem. Recently, very good quality of this Gem has been found in Orissa.

IDENTIFICATION

This Gem contains inclusions which look like scattered islands or flat bubbles. The colour is like honey shining under a ray of light. The inside, when viewed under magnification looks like a thick sticky liquid and certain areas look out of shape with lesser transparency.

CAT'S EYE Lehsuniya (for Ketu)

This protects its wearer from hidden enemies, mysterious dangers and diseases. It is normally milky in colour. The gem is very hot in nature. In the event that it does not suit the wearer, the gem sometimes gives immediate signals like uneasiness, restlessness etc.

Cat's Eye is supposed to counter the evil effects of Ketu and diseases caused by Mars. It may prevent unexpected mishaps of life, curing mania, paralysis etc. It protects the wearer from accidents and secret enemies. For businessmen, it is a miraculous result-giving stone, bestowing wealth by secret means like horse racing, gambling, stock exchange market and speculations. It also protects from drowning, intoxication, and Government punishment. It is said to bring fortunes to those who gamble (horse racing, casinos) and should be worn in gold on 2nd finger or 3rd finger of right hand. The weight should be 3, 5 or 7 ratti.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cat's Eye is a gem which displays a band of light at the top which moves when the gem is tilted. The Mineral is chemically known as Chrysoberyl (BeO.Al2O3). The chemical bonding is rhombic. It is generally found in greenish, brownish, yellowish and colourless shades. It has a specific gravity of 3.71 and hardness of 8.5 on the Moh's scale. It is a fairly hard material which wears well as a ring stone, although it is brittle. OCCURRENCE Cat's Eye is found in Sri Lanka, Brazil and India on a very big scale. It is also found in South Africa, Russia, Burma and U.S.A. In India, it has been found in a very big way in Orissa. It is also found in Kerela, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Bihar.

IDENTIFICATION

Being an opaque gem poses certain difficulties in differentiating the natural gem from artificial material. One striking difference which one can tell after some experience of seeing natural Cat's Eye Gems is that the artificial Cat's Eye will be too clear and the Cat's Eye effect will be too marked. But a closer examination under magnification will show signs of a natural gem - like small marks, grains of stone and the small irregularies below the polished surface. The lower part of a Cat's Eye is not polished but only ground, so one can see the roughness of the stone there.

PEARL Mukta (for Moon)

One who possesses or wears a good pearl enjoys the blessings of Laksmi, the goddess of prosperity. This blessed one will live long and become free of evil, developing vitality and intelligence. He or she will achieve much renown and come to a high position due to the wisdom endowed by the pearl.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

The best pearls are moonlike, shining white in colour, with a perfectly round, globular shape. They should be compact, with a high specific gravity, spotless and free from blemishes. The appearance should be lustrous and smooth. Pearls may be white, giving spiritual gifts, rosy, giving intelligence and power, yellow, bringing material prosperity. Black pearls are rare, but are not ideal for development. Coppery or non-lustrous, dirty, cracked, misshapen or otherwise defective pearls should be avioided as they are inauspicious. OCCURRENCE Pearls are found in Sri Lanka, India, Persian Gulf, Venezuela, Mexico and Australia. Australian pearls are generally considered less desirable. Sri Lankan perals are considered the best, though pearls from Bahrain are highly prized. In India the best pearls come from Bay of Bengal and fom Tuticorin in South India.

IDENTIFICATION

Pearls grow inside oysters and rarely elsewhere (bamboo, cobra, conch etc). Today cultured pearls are available which may be distinguished from genuine pearls by the bore, which is unifom in the genuine, but thin at the start and wide in the middle in the cultured pearl. Another difference is the structure, which is concentric in the genuine pearl, but parallel in the cultured. Natural pearls are also available. These are created like cultured pearls by the intentional insertion of foreign matter into the oyster, but mother-of-pearl is used rather than glass bead. natural pearls are better than cultured pearls, but both are acceptable if a genuine pearl is unavailable.

Imitation pearls made from fish scales are also sold, but these are not suitable for our purposes. Misshapen or otherwise defective pearls are not suitable either, although very small genuine pearls (too small fo jewellery) may be powdered and used for medicinal purposes.

One very important factor, which anyone trying to identify a Gem should note, is that some "faults" are always present in a genuine Gem - their absence and not their presence should be a cause for concern. However, as a rule, any Gem should be shaped in a pleasing manner, lustrous, of pure colour and fine texture. Pearls in particular should not be misshapen.

By Pt.Uma Shankar Shukla Know your Lucky Gem