Ruby (Manik)- The Mystical Red Stone -Significance, Benefits, Facts and Wearing Rituals.

Hey Everyone! How have you been so far in the lockdown? I hope you guys are keeping well and trying to be optimist despite the gloomy times.

Today we are going to know about Ruby i.e Manikya in Hindi. This is the beautiful stone in shades of red. The word "ruby" comes from the Latin word "Ruber" i.e. red One of the most powerful and strong stones in astrology. This is because it signifies the " King Of Planets " i.e. the SUN.

From ancient times this stone has been considered important and most influential one. It represents the power and authority of the Planet Sun in Vedic astrology. Indicates self-confidence, courage, will, dignity, fame, respect in the society, integrity, loyalty and power in authority. It signifies one soul and how person portrays self in society. Well placed Sun gives all the positive aspects of the qualities mentioned above while weak Sun in natal chart brings defame and hurdles in one's life. For more details of the planet Sun in the Vedic astrology, You guys can read:
https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2019/08/sun-in-astrology.html

Benefits of wearing Ruby includes- improve self-image in front of others while self- worth in one's own eyes. Gives clarity of mind and improves decisiveness. Overcoming emotional and mental setbacks and enhancing one's tendency towards depression.
Get favours from the government and higher authority. High stature and post in government offices. Strong mindset so as to work towards set goals and determination.
Those suffering from side effects of weak Sun in natal chart can get health benefits such as improved eye-sight, ailments such rheumatism can be improved to an extent, blood circulation problems can be reduced and healed. Mental stability also gets enhanced.

How to choose a Ruby?

As I have mentioned in my previous blog- https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2020/01/gemology-and-gemstones-part-2.html
Apart from these the other characteristics that should be considered while choosing a ruby gemstone are:

The best ruby is unheated, untreated and naturally occurring which gives the best astrological benefits to the native.

The colour of the ruby comes from its element chromium. The purest and finest ruby has soft, lustre, vibrant red fluorescence to slightly purplish-red colour. Ruby with overtones of orange, crimson and purple is of lower value. If the colour is too light, chances are that it might be Pink sapphire and not ruby. While if it's too dark then it might be a fake stone or of semi-precious variety.

Practically 100% inclusion-free rubies are nonexistent. Some inclusions are expected but should be very less for it to be the original one. You know the more inclusions, the lesser transparency and lesser the price. Typical ruby clarity includes thin mineral inclusions called needles.

It should have a considerable amount of solidity and hardness. The MOHS scale of hardness for ruby is 9 i.e the hardest mineral after diamond.

Its chemical composition is Aluminium oxide with chromium i.e. Al2O3: Cr

Its refractive index is 1.760-1.763 to 1.768-1.772.

Its specific gravity is 3.97-4.05.

It belongs to the species Corundum's red variety.

The best quality ruby is the Mogok Stone tract of Burma (Myanmar).

The average density is 4.

Birefringence is 0.008.

It should be at least 4-6 carats in weight so as to give prominent results. In general, it should be 1/10th of your body weight.

There should be uniformity of colour and transparency in the entire stone.

Should be devoid of any impurity, cracks, lines, blemishes and bubbles.

Its lustre and radiance should be appreciated from the naked eye.

Should be of required heaviness which marks its difference from the fake stone.

How to identify an original Ruby?

Apart from the above-mention characteristics, one can check if given stone leaves colour on rubbing it. Original ruby will not leave colour on rubbing it off against any other material.

Only microscopic natural inclusions will be there in original ruby. The gas bubbles, scratches, cuts, blemishes, etc are seen in fake stones.

Try to scratch the stone from a key or hard material. Original ruby won't get scratched that easily. If the given stone gets scratched easily then it's probably the fake one.

If you are getting the ruby at a cheaper price, then it is 99% fake as natural and original rubies are expensive. While the synthetic ruby comes in 20% the lesser price, the fake one can be bought for 90-95% cheaper than the original one. So beware!

Last but not the Least, Seek professional help when in doubt and buy certified stones always.

How to Wear a Ruby?

Should be worn on Sunday of waxing moon period (Shukla Paksha).

Should be worn in between the two hours before and after the sunrise.

The best metal to wear it in is Gold. Those who can't or don't want to imbibe it in gold can mane it in Panchdhaatu (an alloy of 5 elements Gold, Silver, Iron, Zinc and Copper. Sometimes Tin or Lead can be used in place of Zinc).

The finger to wear it in is the Ring Finger. Commonly it is worn in the right hand but which hand is preferred, you may check it out in my previous blog- https://www.thehailphoenix.com/2020/03/astrology-and-gems-selection-criteria.html

Rituals related to wearing a Ruby.

You can either wear it as a pendant, bracelet or a ring.

Preferably it is worn in as a ring.

Dip it in a Panchamrit (a mixture of raw cow milk, cow fat i.e Ghee, honey or sugar, yoghurt and Gangajal i.e. Holy water) one night before the morning you wanna wear it.

In the morning, do your prayer rituals as you do in routine. Wash the ring with regular water and dip it in holy water just before wearing it.

Always seek blessings of Almighty and pray to them for the fulfilment of the purpose for which you are gonna wear the gemstone.

The "Beej Mantra- Ohm Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah" or Ohm Suryaya Namah" to be recited 108 times so as to activate the stone.

You should feed the poor and needy especially with white sweets on Sundays. (This is the most pious thing and should be done anyways without any purpose or wanting anything in return. We should feed anything in any day we want but for this, white sweets on Sunday is preferable).

If it is possible for you then it is advisable to abstain from non-vegetarian food. As ruby is a very pious stone and the Planet Sun is one of the Sattwika Planet.