Ruby

Pukhraj is called Quwat-e-Arzaq in Persian and Pushp Raag in Hindi. It is an exquisite, ancient, yellow-colored gemstone. In the Hebrew language, it is called Pitdah, the origin of which appears to be the Sanskrit word Peet (meaning yellow). In the Greek language, it is called Topazion, which is derived from the word Tap-Doh, a corruption of Pitdah. Its English name, Topaz, was named after an island from where it was originally extracted. This island is located in the Red Sea, and since it is always surrounded by mist and fog, it was named Topaz. The meaning [of the root word] is "to seek," and from this, the word Topaz was derived. Several arguments prove that this gemstone was popular in ancient times. Thus, Boetius writes that this gemstone is of a greenish-yellow color, and it was believed to possess several magical properties, good luck, and blessings. Greek wise men write that "Topaz removes grief and anger. Binding it on the arm prevents the effects of magic. It protects against debauchery." Experts describe two types of it: first, Eastern; and second, Western. The Topaz which consists only of an Alumina compound is Eastern, and the varieties containing 57 parts Alumina with the remainder being Silica and Fluorine compounds are called Western. In Sanskrit books, four castes (categories) of it have been described: White Topaz as Brahmin, reddish as Kshatriya, yellow-colored as Vaish, and blackish as Shudra. The ancients used to call it Chrysolite. One variety of Topaz is named Pycnite, which is found in Altenberg. There is another variety called Foliolite or Pyrophysalite; it is dark [opaque] and swells up due to heat.

Common Name: Diamond. Persian: Masi. Arabic: Almas. Hindi: Heera. Nature: It is the hardest of all stones and very exquisite. Temperament: Cold and dry in the fourth degree; according to some, it is hot. Color and Smell: White, yellow, black, red. Taste: Bland. It is hard. Harmful Effects: It is a fatal poison and harmful. Corrective (Antidote): Inducing vomiting, drinking fresh milk. Substitute: Its other varieties. Planetary Association: Associated with Venus. Special Benefit: Wearing it strengthens the heart. Perfect Form: It is a fatal poison and is not used [internally]. Defective Form: It is a fatal poison and is not edible. Actions and Properties: Wearing it as a pendant gives strength to the heart, prevents fear and dread, is useful for quick childbirth, and is beneficial for epilepsy. Its tooth powder brightens the teeth, but it is better to avoid this. Description: The Almighty has created the Diamond as such a wondrous object. Its glitter, luster, and brilliance appeal to the heart, such that every person desires it with heart and soul. Nature has made it such a rare and priceless object that it cannot be in every human's destiny. Perhaps this is one reason for it being so cherished. This gemstone has been famous since ancient times. Modern Jewelers describe its types as follows: Gulabi: Red like a rose. Banaspati: Green color. Neel Behr: Bluish. Basant: Yellow color. Garach: Very hard, having spots; called Chanan Chal or Abraq. Katthi: White. Bhoora: Dusty/Khaki color. Peela: Yellow. Kala: Black color. Kaf. Punjabi Jewelers describe only four types of Diamond: Sharbati: Light red. Neela: Blue. Safaid: White. Siyah: Black. Hindus consider wearing a defective or black diamond as bad luck and inauspicious. Arab and Persian Wise Men describe its types: Noshadri: Colored like Sal Ammoniac. Keerase: Silver color. Kadooni: White. Hadidi: Iron color. Greek Physicians also use Diamond as medicine and describe the following types: Transparent: Pharaonic. Yellow: Straw-colored. Bilori: Sky blue/Crystal. Sabzi: Emerald green. Europeans describe three types of low-value diamonds: Bort, Carbonado, and War Born (likely a variation of Carbon/Ballas). The description of these three will be written ahead.

Common Name: Neelam (Sapphire). Persian: Neelam. Arabic: Yaqoot Kabood (Blue Corundum). Hindi: Neelmani. Nature: It is a famous, high-quality mineral stone used to make gems and settings. Temperament: Hot in the first degree and dry in the third. Color and Smell: Blue, clear, transparent, shiny. Taste: Bland; no dominant taste. Harmful Effects: Harmful to those with hot temperaments. Corrective (Antidote): White Sapphire (White Ruby) and cold items. Substitute: Red or Yellow Ruby. Planetary Association: Associated with Saturn (Zohal). Special Benefit: Exhilarating; strengthens the heart and brain. Dosage (Perfect): Up to 3.5 Rattis. (Defective/Lesser): 1 to 2 Rattis. Actions and Properties: It is exhilarating and strengthens the heart and brain. Dissolving a portion and drinking it is useful for epilepsy, obsession, palpitations, plague, hemorrhage, and repelling poison. It is beneficial during changes in epidemic air. It purifies the blood. It protects the innate heat and vital faculties. Keeping it in the mouth removes bad breath and quenches thirst. It strengthens and gladdens the heart. Its collyrium (Surma) strengthens vision and protects the eye. Description: Neelam, called Neela in Sanskrit, Sapphire in English, and Yaqoot Arzaq in Persian and Arabic, is an extremely exquisite bluish gemstone. Its glitter and sky-blue color appeal greatly to the heart. This gem has been famous since ancient times and is mentioned in the old books of Hindus and Muslims. They used to revere it as equal to the name of a deity. Due to its pleasing color and brilliance, this gem is very popular for bodily adornment. Since the ancients considered cutting such gems very difficult, it was used less frequently in jewelry in the past. Ancient Classifications: Five types of Sapphire are described with various benefits of wearing them: God-tu: Small in size but heavy in weight; wearing it fulfills the heart's desires. Sangrat: Always shiny; wearing it increases wealth and love. Varnari: Emits blue rays when placed before the sun; wearing it brings wealth and goods. Parshurat: Emits golden, silvery, and crystal-like flashes; wearing it brings fame. Ranj Ketu: If placed in a vessel, the vessel appears blue due to its shine; wearing it brings progress to offspring. Maha-Neel: There is a Sapphire called Maha-Neel. If put in milk 100 times its volume, the milk appears blue due to its shine. Indra-Neel: There is also a Sapphire called Indra-Neel. Flaws and Harms: Apart from these, there are six perceived flaws/harms: Abraq: Has a cloud-like shine on the upper part; wearing it ruins life and wealth. Tarash: Has a mark of breakage (crack); there is a fear of harm from animals like bears. Chitrak: Has a color different from the standard colors; wearing it implies the ruin of one's community/family. Mrit-Grah: Has a muddy/earthy color; causes various diseases. Ashm-Grah: Contains a stone-like piece inside; wearing it brings fear of death. Rukhi: Has spots like porcelain/china stone; wearing it brings fear of exile. Modern Classifications: Modern jewelers describe two types of Sapphire: First, Old; Second, New. They describe three varieties for each: Greenish-blue or blue inclined to green. Reddish-blue (Purple). Deep blue/Rich blue. The Persians consider Sapphire a type of Yaqoot (Corundum) and thus call it Yaqoot Arzaq (Blue Ruby), but in reality, it is a gemstone distinct from [Red] Ruby.