Precious Stones Guide

How Ratna / Precious stones or Gemstones are Formed?

We all have beautiful pieces of handmade jewelry containing different gemstones or we wish to have jewelry with precious stones. We refer to diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires as precious gemstones because of their rare appearance and high value. All other stones are called semi-precious (Upratna) stones. 

But had we ever thought about how these gemstones or Ratna are formed? The gemstones require a unique combination of chemical elements, pressure, and temperature to form. It’s amazing to think that the processes occurring deep beneath the Earth’s crust can produce such beautiful, colorful stones.

So, Let’s Find Out How Ratna / Precious Stones / Gems Stones are Formed:-

• Approximately all Ratna / Precious stones are formed beneath the Earth’s surface, but the process involved in the creation of the different Ratna can vary. Many Ratna (gems) are formed when near the Earth’s surface minerals react with the water and then dissolve. When this solution evaporates or cools, minerals form that result in the formation of Ratna.
• Silica-rich rocks such as sandstones when mixed with water will produce gemstones such as opals, amethysts, agates, etc. When water is mixed with copper-rich rock, copper-bearing minerals such as turquoise, azurite, and malachite are formed. For more than 4000 years, Turquoise has been mined.
• Other gemstones such as emeralds and tourmalines are formed when rainwater or water from cooling bodies of 
• When cooling bodies of magma mix with minerals and then crystallize in open cracks or cavities then tourmalines and emeralds are formed. They are formed by hydrothermal deposits.
• Magma is a mixture of crystals, dissolved gas, and liquid rock beneath the Earth’s surface. By crystallization in the gas bubbles and Magma Topazes, Zircon, and Rubies. The Gems that are produced by this process of crystallization are known as magmatic gems.
• Some Ratna (precious stones) are formed directly in the mantle i.e layer of the earth. This layer makes up almost 70% of the Earth’s mass and is made up of iron, magnesium, silicon, oxygen, aluminum, and silicate compounds. Olive-green mineral olivine is present in large volumes in the upper layer of the mantle. Olivine is the most common of all Earth’s minerals and transparent olivine is famous as the gemstone peridot.
• The word ‘metamorphic’ is defined as a metamorphosis or change of form. Metamorphic gems such as jade, garnet, aquamarine, emerald, ruby, sapphire, lapis lazuli, onyx, and zircon are formed over time when rocks are altered by intense heat and pressure as well as interaction with solutions. Countries such as Myanmar which was formerly Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka contain large regions of metamorphic rock which contains a mineral called corundum. This mineral crystallizes under heat and pressure and becomes rubies and sapphires. Colombia in South America produces the majority of the world’s emeralds.
• Although the process is rare, diamonds are sometimes formed in metamorphic rocks. Most diamonds come from volcanic rocks called kimberlite. These volcanic rocks are given the Kimberlite name because they were first discovered in the South African town of Kimberley. Lots of tons of rock are required just only to produce a few carats of Vajra (diamond). The Vajra (diamond) that is used in regular diamond rings needs the removal of 200 to 400 times its volume of rock.

Ratna Dosha (Blemishes in the Precious Stones)

Rasa Ratna Samucchya. 4/ 32

ग्रास स्त्रासश्च  बिन्दुश्च  रेखा च जलगभर्ता।

सर्व रत्नेष्वमी पन्न्च दोषा: साधारणा: मताः।। 

क्षेत्र तोय भवा दोषा रत्नेषु न लग्न्ति ते।।

The Dosha (blemishes) found in precious stones are Grasa, Trasa, Bindu, Rekha, and Jala Garbhta. Gemstones do not possess Kshetriya and Toya (Jaliya) Dosha.

रत्नो के गुण (Virtue of Precious Stones)

दुर्लभता, कठोरता, सुंदरता, टिकाऊपन, आकर्षक रंग, मूल्यवान         

• दुर्लभता – मानव सौन्दर्य की अपेक्षा दुर्लभता को ज्यादा महत्त्व है। यदि कोई वस्तु आसानी से उपलब्ध हो जाती हैं, तो अपना आकर्षक खो देती है। यथा- तामडा या रक्त मणि अति सुन्दर है, आकर्षक है, किन्तु सुलभ एवं सस्ता होने से सभी को प्राप्य है। अतः वह रत्नो बलों की श्रेणी में नहीं है। जबकि हीरा सर्वसुलभ सर्वत्र उपलब्ध नहीं होने से रत्नों में प्रमुख है। (Rarity – Rarity is more important than human beauty. If an item becomes easily available, it loses its attractiveness. For example, Tamda or Rakta gem is very beautiful, attractive, but being accessible and cheap, it is available to everyone. Therefore, he is not in the category of gems forces. While diamond is not available everywhere, it is prominent among gems.)
• कठोरता – यदि रत्न कठोर नहीं होकर मृदु हो तो वह अधिक दिनों तक ट्रक नहीं सकता है। अतः वह साधारणतया रगड़ने पर सहने की शक्ति वाला होना चाहिए। (Hardness – If the stone is soft and not hard, then it cannot move for a long time. Therefore, it should be able to bear the force of rubbing ordinarily.)
• सुन्दरता – रत्नपाषाण नेत्र रंजक होते है। यह गुण मोती को छोड़ सभी रत्नो में कृत्रिम होते है। सौन्दर्य गुण रत्न तराश के ऊपर निर्भर करता है, कि रत्नों को किस प्रकार से काटता है। इसके विपरीत रंगीन रत्नों में काट की अपेक्षा रंग अधिक नेत्राकर्षक है। (Beauty- Gemstones are eye pigments. These properties are artificial in all gems except pearls. The aesthetic quality depends on the gemstone, how one cuts the gems. In contrast, in colored gemstones, the color is more eye-catching than the cut.)

• टिकाउपन – रत्न साधारण रगड़, प्रहार, धूप, जल,क्षार और अम्ल के सम्पर्क में आने पर भी अप्रभावित रहे। अत: कठौरता, तन्यतो एवं आपेक्षिक घनत्व- तीनों गुण रत्नों के टिकाउपन के लिए अत्यावश्यक है। (Durability – The gems remain unaffected even when they come in contact with simple rubbing, striking, sunlight, water, alkali and acid. Therefore, hardness, tensile and relative density – all three qualities are essential for the durability of gems.)
• आकर्षक रंग – रत्नों में एक,विशेष रंग उसकी पहचान का निश्चित मापदण्ड है। अतः रत्नो  की पारदर्शकता एवं आकर्षक मध्यम रंग होना चाहिए। (Attractive color – A special color in the gems is a definite measure of its identity. Therefore, the gemstone should have transparency and attractive medium color.)
• मूल्यवान – रत्न उपरोक्त गुणों के अलावा मूल्यवान्‌ भी होना चाहिए। जैसे- हीरा। क्योंकि तामडा पत्थर आकर्षक होते हुए भी उसकी कटाई के खर्चे से कुछ ही ज्यादा उसका मूल्य होता है, अतः वह रत्नों की श्रेणी में नहीं है। (Valuable – Gemstone should be valuable in addition to the above qualities. Like diamond. Because the Tamda stone is attractive, but its value is only a little more than the cost of its cutting, so it is not in the category of gems.)

Srava Ratna Suddhi (Purification of Precious Stones)

Rasendra Chintamani. 7/ 69

मुक्तादिष्वविशुद्धेषु न दोष: स्याच्च वस्तुतः ।

तथाहि गुणवृद्धिः स्याच्छोधनेन विशेषत: ।।

The purification (shodhana) process is a must for all gemstones of mineral origin. However, some relaxation is given to the stones of animal and plant origin like pearl, amber, coral, etc.

Rasa Ratna Samucchya. 4/ 62, 64, 65

शुद्धत्यम्लेन माणिक्यं जयन्त्या मौक्तिकं तथा। 

विद्रुममं क्षारवर्गेण ताक्षर्यं गोदुग्धकैस्तथा।। 

पुष्परागं च सन्धानै: कुलत्थ क्वाथ संयुतै: । 

तन्दुलीयजलैर्वज्रम नील॑ नीलीरसेन च।। 

रोचनाभिश्च गोमेदं वैदूर्य त्रिफला जलै:।।

The Ratna (precious stones) are purified by subjecting them to Swedana in Dola yantra for 1 Yama i.e 3 hours by keeping different liquid media i.e Manikya is purified with sour liquids (Amla Dravya), Mukta phala with Jayanti (Clerodendron phlomidis) juice, Vidrum with Kshara Dravya (alkalis), Marakat with cow’s milk, Pusparaga with fermented liquids and horse gram decoction, Vajra with Tanduliya Jala (juice of amaranthus), Nila with Nili Swarasa (Indigofera tinctoria juice), Gomeda with the gall content of the cow (Gorocana) and Vaidurya gets purified with Triphala decoction. 

Sarva Ratna Bhasmikarana or Ratna Marana (General Incineration of Precious Stones)

Rasa Ratna Sammuchya 4/ 63

लकुचद्रावसम्पिष्टै: शिलागन्धकतालकै: ।

वज्रं विनान्यरत्नानि म्रियन्ते पुटै: खलु।।

All the gemstones / Ratna except Vajra are taken in one part, after purification, are ground along with purified Manashila (realgar- 1 part), Gandhaka (sulfur- 1 part), Taalaka/ Hartala (orpiment- 1 part). All these are taken in a clean Khalava Yantra and subjected to 3 Bhaana with Lakucha Swarasa.

Later Chakrikas are prepared, dried, and enclosed in Sarva Samputa. This Samputa is subjected to 1 Gaja Puta. This whole process is repeated 8 times to obtain a properly prepared Bhasma of six gemstones of mineral origin except Vajra.

Rasa Ratna Sammuchya. 4

रत्नानां शोधनं श्रेष्ठम मारणं दुर्गुणप्रदम्‌ ।

Ratnaanam Sodhanam Srestham Maranam Durgunapradam. The purified form of gems is useful while incinerating them gives bad effects (use in the form of Pisti).

This bad effect may be due to destruction or disturbance in the molecular form and color caused by Marana (incineration).

Sarva Ratna Druti (Liquification of Precious Stones)

Rasa Ratna Sammuchya. 4/ 64- 69

रामठ पंञ्च लवणं क्षाराणां त्रितयं तथा।

मांसद्रवो अम्लवेतसश्च चूल्लिकालवण तथा।।

स्थूल॑ कुम्भीफल॑ पक्वं तथा ज्वालामुखी शुभा।

द्रवन्ती च रुदन्ती च पयस्या चित्रमूलकम्‌।

दुग्धं…………..||

Hingu (Asafoetida), Five Salts, Three Alkalis, Meat-Washed Water, Amlavetasa (Garcinia indica), Navasadara (Ammonium chloride), seeds of Jayapala (Croton tiglium), Bhallataki (marking nut), Dravanti (Jatropha curcas), Rudanti (Cressa critica), Payasya (Puraria tuberosa), Citraka (Plumbago zeylanica) latex of Snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia) and latex of Arka (Calatropis gigantia) are thoroughly ground and made into a bolus. The particular Ratna (gemstone) is kept amidst this bolus, tied with strong wide leaves, and then with a cloth into a poultice which is boiled in sour gruel or sour liquids in a dolà yantra for 3 days and nights with wild heat. On cooling down, the bolus is taken out and the liquid that is seen in the place of the gemstone is collected which is considered as Druti.

अनुकूल एवं प्रतिकूल रत्नों के धारण से लाभ हानि (Advantage and Disadvantage of Wearing Precious Stones)

Rasa Ratna Sammuchya. 4/ 83

सूर्यादि ग्रहा निग्रहापहरणं दीर्घायुरारोग्यदं सौभाग्योदयभागयवस्वविभवो उत्साह प्रदम धैर्य कृत। दुष्छाया चल धूलि संगती भवा अलक्ष्मी हरम सर्वदा रत्नानां परिधारणं निगदित भूतादिभिः नाशनम।।

नव रत्नो के धारण से सूर्य आदि नवग्रहों की पीडा दूर होकर दीर्घायु एवं आरोग्य की प्राप्ति होती है। सौभाग्य का उदय होकर भाग्य अनुकूल, वशीकरण सिद्धि, उत्साह और धैर्य उत्पन्न हो जाते है। अनिष्टकारी छाया और दृषित वायु, धूल आदि के संसर्ग से उत्पन्न हुए दुर्भाग्य आदि कष्ट तथा भूतप्रेत पिशाच आदि की पीडा दूर हो जाती है।

Wearing of the new gems removes the pain of the Navagrahas, Sun etc., one gets longevity and health. With the rise of good fortune, luck is favorable, captivating accomplishment, enthusiasm and patience arise. The misfortunes arising out of the contact of evil shadows and visible air, dust etc., and the pain of ghosts, demons, etc., goes away.

तेषु रक्षो विष व्याल व्याधि दोषहराणि च। प्रादुर्भवन्ति रत्नानि तथैव विगुणानि च।। 

दोषै स्तानयु पचीयन्ते हीयन्ते गुण सम्पदा। (आ. क. क्रि. वि. 8/ 2, 3)

अनुकूल रत्नों के धारण से विष, सर्प, भावी व्याधि बाधाओं से रक्षा हो जाती है। जबकि प्रतिकूल रत्नों का धारण हानिकर एवं दुर्गणप्रद है, जिससे दोष एवं दुर्गणों की वृद्धि और गुण एवं सम्पदाओं का हास होता है।

Wearing favorable gems protects one from venom, snake, future diseases and obstacles. Whereas the wearing of unfavorable gems is harmful and degrading, which leads to increase of defects and bad luck and loss of virtues and wealth.

Precaution Related to Use of Ratna (Precious Stones / Gemstones)

The author of Anand Kanda literature describes precautions regarding use of Ratna (precious stones).       

Anand Kanda, Kirya, 8/ 2- 3

तेषु रक्षो विषव्यालव्याधि दोषहराणि च।

प्रादुर्भवन्ति रत्नानि तथैव विगुणानि च।। 

प्रदुष्टेनोपजातानि जन्तुनोपहतानि च।

दौषैस्तान्युपचीयन्ते हीयन्ते गुणसंपदा: ।। 

Ratna (precious stones) is useful in driving the bad effects of demons, poisons, planets, wild animals, and diseases but if they are associated with any blemishes, they create the same problems and deplete prosperity.