Gemstones are used
with exceptional beauty in Indian jewelry. The
very concept of a 'maharaja' conjures up images
of a rotund royal, adorned in silk and decorated
with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other
glittering gems. Indeed, India has always been
obsessed with the beauty of gemstones.
Fortunately, this craze manifests itself
artistically in some marvelous works of silver
and gold jewelry.
In India, gemstones have traditionally been worn
for preventive, antidotal, and therapeutic
purposes. Astrologically, they correspond to the
various planets. The nine gems together, the
navaratna, are a symbol of the solar system. In
this way, gemstones harness the energies of the
planets and the sun. They have powerful
properties on the wearer for they also correspond
to particular celestial deities. This symbolic
arrangement of the universe and space has had a
lasting impact on the Indian psyche. Gemstones
are a way for the wearer to manipulate celestial
forces for personal benefit.
There are 9 gemstones and the number 9 is itself
considered magical. Wearing all nine of the gems
together in a navaratna ornament is considered
the most auspicious of all jewelry. Armlets,
rings and pendants are the common ways to wear
these, and there are some spectacular examples
from the Mughal era. The number 9 is considered
auspicious for it is the last of the single
digits, there are 9 planets, and it is also the
period of human gestation.
Amongst the 9 gemstones some gems are considered
more precious than others because of their
rarity. Therefore, these 9 were divided into the
great stones (maharatnani), and the lesser stones
(uparatnani). It's not hard to guess which are
the major stones, for they are also the most
expensive ones on the market today. The former
include the most precious of gemstones: diamond,
pearl, ruby, sapphire and emerald. The lesser
gems are the topaz, cat's eye, coral, and
hyacinth, or zircon.
The gemstones each correspond to one of the
9 planets, or nava-graha. Like a battery,
they absorb the cosmic rays of the planet
and discharge it eternally. The wearer
benefits from the effects of these stones.
These concepts were founded centuries ago,
and are reiterated in the Agastimata,
written in the 10th century, AD. The theory
behind gemstone jewelry is truly ancient.
Whether you believe in their magical powers
or not, no one can deny the beauty of
gemstones. They are stunning and glamorous.
You can't take your eyes off of a pretty
pair of silver earrings with cat's eye set
into it, or a ring with all the gemstones
in it, glittering prominently.
Though gemstones are a part of ancient
belief, they are also an important aspect
of modern fashion. They defy time and space
in their appeal. While one may question
their influence on the wearer, they are
undeniably beautiful in all Indian jewelry!
"THIS IS MY
SECOND PIECE OF HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY FROM
ShalinIndia!! I LOVE MY BEAUTIFUL MULTI
GEMSTONE PENDANT NECKLACE!! IT'S AN
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS PIECE AND I GOT
NUMEROUS COMPLIMENTS ON IT! KEEP MAKING
BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY. THANKS, CECELIA P."
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"Lovely piece
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The ankle bracelets are absolutely
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My order arrived just two days after I
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"Nice one.
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