What is the relationship between gemstones and planetary influences in astrology?

In astrology, importance is given to gemstones to balance the auspicious-inauspicious (benefic-malefic) influences of planets.

A reference to the importance of gemstones is found in ancient astrological texts like "Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra" and "Brihat Samhita" - types of gemstones, qualities-defects of gemstones, purity, color, luster, and their auspicious-inauspicious effects on human life.

According to astrology, one primary gemstone has been assigned to each planet:

• Sun - Ruby (Manik)
• Moon - Pearl (Moti)
• Mars - Coral (Povale)
• Mercury - Emerald (Panna)
• Jupiter - Yellow Sapphire (Pushkaraj)
• Venus - Diamond (Heera)
• Saturn - Blue Sapphire (Neelam)
• Rahu - Hessonite (Gomed)
• Ketu - Cat's Eye (Lehsuniya)

Gemstones have natural colors, which are created due to chromophores alone. The chromophores present in gemstones themselves are the ones that create colors related to the planets, because of that alone a natural connection between the gemstones and the planets is established.

Chromophores reside within gemstones and they give specific colors to the gemstones. In astrology, the color of a planet's gemstone is considered extremely important.

According to astrological texts, a gemstone should always be worn only after doing a deep study of the horoscope. No miracle happens due to wearing a gemstone, rather gemstones show the right direction to a person's thoughts. They take the auspicious energy of the planets and deliver it to the person.

According to ancient sages and saints, the human body is made of the five elements (Panchamahabhutas): earth, water, fire, air, and space. Planets cast a subtle influence on these elements. Therefore, whichever gemstone is related to each planet, it proves helpful in keeping that subtle energy balanced.

According to astrology, each planet is related to certain body organs and functions:

• Sun (Ravi) - Heart, bones, vitality - Gemstone: Ruby (Manik)
• Moon - Mind, mental state - Gemstone: Pearl (Moti)
• Mars - Blood, muscles, energy - Gemstone: Coral (Povale)
• Mercury - Nervous system, intellect, speech - Gemstone: Emerald (Panna)
• Jupiter - Liver, fat - Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire (Pushkaraj)
• Venus - Fertility, skin, beauty - Gemstone: Diamond (Heera)
• Saturn - Bones, joints, nerves - Gemstone: Blue Sapphire (Neelam)
• Rahu-Ketu - Mental influence - Gemstone: Hessonite (Gomed) / Cat's Eye (Lehsuniya)

Whenever a planet goes into a debilitated sign in a horoscope, or is in an inauspicious house under the aspect of malefic planets, inauspicious results of that planet are obtained; along with this, disorders develop regarding the organs in the body that come under the significatorship (karakatva) of that planet. At such a time, by looking at the horoscope with the advice of a proper astrologer, if we wear whichever gemstone is appropriate for us, strength is given to the auspicious influence of that planet and its inauspiciousness decreases.

Gemstones act as a compatible medium with the subtle energy of the planets and deliver that energy to the person wearing it, because the color of the gemstone is related to that planet. The luster of a gemstone is considered a symbol of the radiance of that planet.

Gemstones are selected accordingly after looking at each individual's horoscope, planetary positions, and planetary periods (dasha). Gemstones are not merely jewelry but are carriers of the auspicious energy of the planets. By wearing a pure and flawless gemstone of the appropriate planets, strength can be provided to the positive influence of that planet.