Gemstone of Sun (Surya)
Ruby
Manik
The Sun's stone of vitality and authority.
Ruby (Manik) is the gemstone of the Sun (Surya). A deep red stone, it is one of the nine Navratna and is traditionally linked to vitality, confidence and authority.
What is Ruby (Manik)?
Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide), coloured by chromium. It is one of the hardest gemstones at 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. The finest natural rubies show a vivid "pigeon blood" red. In Vedic astrology only a natural, untreated ruby is traditionally used for the Sun.
At a glance
Ruby at a glance
Planet
Sun (Surya)
Recommended for
Leo (Simha) primarily; also commonly suggested for Aries, Scorpio and Sagittarius ascendants
Metal
Gold
Finger
Ring finger
Day
Sunday
Weight
Commonly 3 to 6 ratti or more (chart dependent)
Ruby benefits
Everything below is what Vedic astrology traditionally believes, sorted by area of life. None of it is medical, financial or guaranteed.
Career and profession
Traditionally believed to strengthen authority, leadership and decision-making, favoured for government, administration, management and creative fame.
Wealth and finances
Linked to a rise in status and recognition, and the prosperity that follows greater confidence and authority.
Health and body
Traditionally associated with the Sun's domains of vitality and the heart. This is traditional belief, not a medical claim.
Mind and emotions
Believed to build confidence, courage, willpower and clarity, and to reduce indecisiveness.
Relationships
The Sun signifies the father and elders, so ruby is traditionally said to strengthen bonds with father figures and mentors.
How to wear Ruby
Traditionally the ruby is set in gold, cleansed by dipping it in raw cow's milk and clean or Ganga water for a few minutes, then energised by chanting the Sun's beej mantra 108 times before wearing it on the ring finger on a Sunday morning.
Sun beej mantra
Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah
Traditionally chanted 108 times to charge the stone before its first wear.
How to spot a real Ruby
- ·Under a 10x loupe a natural ruby shows fine inclusions (silk-like rutile needles, colour zoning); a completely flawless stone is a warning sign of glass or synthetic.
- ·Tiny round gas bubbles or a cloudy surface residue indicate lead-glass filling, common in cheap rubies.
- ·At hardness 9 a ruby scratches glass; soft glass or quartz imitations scratch easily.
- ·Always insist on a report from a recognised gemological lab confirming it is natural and disclosing any treatment.
Substitutes for Ruby (upratna)
Traditional substitutes (upratna) include red garnet, red spinel and red tourmaline (rubellite), worn when a natural ruby is out of reach. A star ruby is also accepted.
Who should wear it
Who it suits, and what to watch
Traditionally recommended when the Sun is well placed, and cautioned where the Sun is debilitated or afflicted, as it is then believed to aggravate ego, temper or heat. Wear only after a qualified astrologer has analysed your chart.
These are traditional astrological beliefs, not medical, financial or guaranteed outcomes. A gemstone is traditionally read off your whole birth chart, so the right stone for you comes from an actual reading.
Pick the right one
Which gemstone is right for you?
The stone that suits you tracks the planets in your birth chart, not just your sign. Destivio runs your full Vedic chart and shows which planets are strong or weak, so you can make an informed call with a qualified astrologer.
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Ruby FAQ
Which planet does Ruby represent?
Ruby (Manik) represents the Sun (Surya). It is traditionally worn to strengthen a well-placed Sun in the birth chart.
Who should wear a Ruby?
It is traditionally recommended for Leo (Simha) ascendants and others with a favorable Sun, set in gold on the ring finger, on a Sunday, but only after chart analysis by a qualified astrologer.
What is the mantra for wearing a Ruby?
The Sun beej mantra "Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah" is traditionally chanted 108 times to energise the ruby before first wear.
What is a cheaper substitute for Ruby?
Red garnet, red spinel and red tourmaline are the traditional substitutes (upratna) for ruby, carrying the Sun's energy at lower cost.
How can I tell a real Ruby?
A natural ruby shows fine inclusions under a loupe, scratches glass at hardness 9, and should come with a recognised gemological lab report. A flawless, very cheap stone is usually glass or synthetic.
The nine Navratna gemstones