Navarathinam / Navaratna Stones/ Gem Stones

Recently, I happened to purchase a bracelet which had navaratna stones. My plan, initially was to exchange my old bracelet (which was really too old) and buy a new gold bracelet. I landed up in buying it with navaratna stones. Many take a look at my bracelet and say it looks too good. I always feel too proud when I get good compliments for my dressing. Of course, it doesn't happen every time.

I wanted to list the navaratna stones as these names are not known so widely. They are 9 precious stones, usually combined together with gold and made as a jewellery. It is believed that wearing an ornament with these stones brings luck. Not sure how correct but this belief is said to be true in all the states of India, where as culture is so different in each state. All the navagraha have relative movement with respect to the background of fixed stars in the zodiac. This includes the planets: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, the Sun, the Moon, as well as positions in the sky, Rahu and Ketu. Each stone is even worn separately as a jewellery depending on the nakshatra(star) one is born.

1. Ruby (Tamil name: Manikkam; Colour: Bright Pink)
2. Emerald (Tamil name: Maragatham; Colour: Green)
3. Pearl (Tamil name: Muthu; Colour: Off White)
4. Red Coral (Tamil name: Pavizham;  Colour: Thick Red)
5. Yellow Sapphire or Topaz (Tamil name: Pushparaagam; Colour: Yellow)
6. Diamond (Tamil name: Vairam)
7. Blue sapphire (Tamil name: Neelam; Colour: Blue)
8. Hessonite (Tamil name: Gomedhagam; Colour: Mix of Yellow & Red (I call it Orange))
9. Cat's eye (Vaidoriyam in Tamil; Colour Combines white & Golden yellow)