Emerald | Jyotish Pathways

Mercury and Its Gemstone, Emerald

1. MERCURY IS THE PLANET of intellect and communication. In Sanskrit, intellect is called buddhi, and the Sanskrit name of mercury is budha, a cognate of the word buddhi.

2. Mercury is neutral, emotional, joyful, and evergreen. It is famous for ready wit, wisdom, and power of communication. Related to our respiratory system, nervous system, and speech, mercury makes people flexible, skillful, clever, and delicate. The lion symbolizes wisdom the elephant memory. In his bands mercury has a bow and arrow to shoot his target, a disc of Vishnu for protection, and a conch for liberation. He is the sport-loving prince of the assembly of gods.

3. Mercury is sexless and neural and is a cold and moist planet. Being a neutral planet it changes according to its placement in a sign and house, and that is why it is said to have a “mercury” nature. Because it is nearest to the sun it is restless, which also makes it quick-changing, fickle, and often retrograde.

4. Mercury is the smallest planet of our solar system. Being adaptable, it becomes malefic when conjunct with mars and makes its natives nervous, overly excitable, and insecure.

5. In astrology mercury is regarded as a benefit planet (if not conjunct with a malefic planet). Its influence makes its natives appreciate traditional beliefs, but it does not give them mystical tendencies; it makes them independent thinkers.

THE EMERALD

Known as market in Sanskrit and panna in Hindi, the emerald is a silicate of aluminum and beryllium. Emerald is a gemstone of green color belonging to the family of beryl gem.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD EMERALD ?

Rich green homogeneous color that is deep and pleasant, like a blade of fresh grass
Retains its color and luster in all kinds of lights and shades
Vitreous luster, radiance, luminescence, brilliance
Velvety reflection
Compactness, which gives it high specific gravity
Transparence, which makes it rare and costlier than diamonds
A good emerald is transparent, without dust, pure as a drop of dew on a lotus leaf, and it sheds luster in all directions when held on the palm in sunlight.

FLAW OF EMERALD

Brittleness
Lack of water or glittering look, luster, luminescence; gem looks dry
Micaceous glitter due to the presence of mica; mica particles clearly visible
Presence of a hole
Fissure in the surface
Dullness; devoid of inner glow
Unevenness of color
Graininess
Odd from, flatness, unevenness, depression
Black or yellow spots

HOW TO IDENTIFY REAL EMERALD ?

1. If a real emerald is placed in a glass pot with water it radiates green light, whereas the imitation does not.

2. If a real emerald is placed on a piece of white cloth in such a way that its reflected light can be seen, it reflects green light and the spot where the light falls looks like a green patch of cloth.

3. If a real emerald is placed on the eyes it gives a cool feeing, whereas an imitation becomes warm very quickly.

4. If an imitation emerald is rubbed against a piece of turmeric root it makes the turmeric red, whereas a real emerald does not.

5. A drop of water on a real gemstone retains its shape and does not spread around like water. Even moving and inverting the gemstone does not harm the drop, whereas in an imitation it does not remain a drop but spreads like water.

HOW TO WEAR A EMRALD - पन्ना RING ?

1. An emerald should be bought on a Wednesday when the sun is in the northern quarter in an ascending cycle. The gem should be bought and given to the jeweler two hours after sunrise. The emerald in the ring should be set when Ashlekha, Jyeshtha, Revti, or Rohini nakshatra is present-on a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday when Virgo or Gemini is rising on the horizon.

2. It should be set in gold during the morning hours.

3. The best time to wear the ring is two hours after sunrise. Before wearing the ring for the first time it should be kept immersed for some time in row cow’s milk. Then it should be washed with Ganga-Water, spring water, rainwater, or water kept in a copper pot.

4. The mantra should be recited 108 times to wear a emrald ring,