(From left to right) Golden Sunrise Ruby, Winter Blue Sapphire, Green Bloom Emerald, Royal Grandeur Blue Sapphire
In the celebrated Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramanhansa Yogananda narrates an incident in the chapter Outwitting the Stars where his guru, Sri Yukteswar Giri, counsels him to wear an astrological armlet. The sceptical yogi tells his guru that he doesn’t believe in astrology. “It is never a question of belief; the only scientific attitude one can take on any subject is whether it is true,” explains the learned guru. His conviction can possibly be traced to ancient Hindu scriptures, especially the Puranas, which suggest that precious metals and natural gemstones radiate astral powers and activate the wearer’s higher state of consciousness.
The magical allure of astrological gemstones and jewellery goes back to a time before recorded history, not just in the Indian sub-continent but in nearly every part of the world. From ancient civilizations to the Ottoman and Mughal empires, coloured gemstones were treasured not only for their ornamental value but also for their astrological significance and specific powers. Contrary to popular belief, the use of gemstones and jewellery was not restricted to queens and noblewomen; emperors, kings and noblemen wore precious stones for their propitious effects, including their ability to bring victory in wars.
It may seem that the appeal of natural gemstones has faded in contemporary times. The opposite, in fact, is true. One has to only look at the long list of Indian male celebrities, politicians, businessmen and sportspersons to gauge their ever-growing popularity.
Amitabh Bachchan endorses blue sapphire and Colombian emerald to protect his health and good fortune, while Ajay Devgn wears a combination of pearl and yellow sapphire for fame and self-confidence. Pearl’s calming properties make it a natural choice for Prime Minister Modi, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh believes in the powers emitted by red coral. Prominent businessmen like Sunil Bharti Mittal prescribe to natural ruby for its ability to enhance leadership and fame.
Over the years, affluent Indians have taken a shine to the beneficial properties of natural gemstones. What is interesting is that these buyers are not looking for any ordinary piece of jewellery; they are aspiring to wear authentic and certified astrological gemstones which also function as attention-grabbing statement pieces.