A combination of the two Sankrit words ‘nav (nine)’ and ‘ratna (gemstones),’ the Navratna refers to an assemblage of nine gemstones that each represents a celestial body in the Hindu cosmology – the seven planets and the rising and descending nodes of the moon. In ancient India, each of the planetary bodies attributed to its corresponding celestial deity, the Nava-graha. The gemstones in Navratna were believed to embody the astrological power of the celestial deities. When meticulously set in a single piece of jewelry, the nine stones would turn into a powerful emblem that balances all powers and emanates a true harmony of all beings.

The arrangement of the precious stones within the Navratna is intentional, visualizing the precise alignment of the cosmos. A ruby or a red spinel typically lies in the center, representing the Sun, according to the heliocentric view of the universe in Hindu astrology. Encircling the ruby are a pearl, coral, zircon (or hessonite), blue sapphire, cat’s-eye chrysoberyl, yellow sapphire (or yellow topaz), emerald, and diamond in the respective order, each signifying the Moon, Mars, lunar ascending node, Saturn, lunar descending node, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus. While the red gemstone maintains the largest in size in many examples, the rest of the stones are equally sized, suggesting the equal significance of each celestial body.

Within the Navratna, the gemstones act as eternal repositories of cosmic rays, continuously emitting the energy of their corresponding planets that balance each other. When worn as a piece of jewelry, the Navratna serves as a bridge between the wearer and the cosmic forces. By bringing the synergy of the forces to the wearer, the celestial tapestry evokes a sense of peace and stability. At the same time, the divine power of the stones wards off negative energies, producing a protective shield that guards one from all challenges in life.

The present lot is an example of a garland-type pendant-necklace that showcases the Navratna in varying forms. While the pendant presents the Navratna in a mandala, a circular form, which symbolizes infinity, the two strands flanking the pendant feature a linear arrangement of the precious stones. Presented together, the alluring sets of Navratnas direct us to the combined power of the divinities, calling upon a sense of eternal prosperity.