The Gemstone Guide
What gemstones are, what they are said to carry, how to tell a real one from a pretty one, and what to ask before you pay for any stone, from anyone.
The PEHRO Guide
The Gemstone Guide
Find your stone by zodiac or birth month, and learn how to tell a real one from a pretty one before you pay for any stone, from anyone.
Find my stone
- Real stones onlyEvery gemstone in a PEHRO piece is a real stone.
- Story before saleNo story we can tell honestly, no PEHRO piece.
- Belief as beliefWhat a stone is said to carry is never sold as a guarantee.
- Ask us anythingWant to know about a treatment? Message us and we’ll tell you.
01 — The Reason
Why people wear gemstones
Almost nobody chooses a stone from a spreadsheet. It starts with a mother’s moti, a grandfather’s ring, a gift that marked a moment. In India a stone is usually a mix of belief, family, beauty and meaning, and all of those are fair reasons.
Tradition & family
A mother’s moti, a grandfather’s ring. Many people’s first stone is chosen because someone they trust wore one.
Astrology (Jyotish)
Stones linked to the nine planets, worn for balance, confidence or a calmer phase of life.
Birth month & zodiac
Your birthstone and your sign’s stones: a personal, easy place to begin, and a lovely gift.
Beauty
Colour that no metal or crystal-clear diamond gives you. Gemstones are the most personal part of jewellery.
Milestones & gifting
A first job, a wedding, a new baby. A stone marks the moment in a way a plain chain can’t.
Intention
A quiet reminder of something you want to carry: courage, calm, clarity.
Where people get let down
Most disappointment in the gemstone market has nothing to do with the stone’s story. It comes from how the stone was sold, and that is exactly the part you can protect yourself from.
- Fear-selling. “Your dasha is bad, wear this ₹50,000 stone this week.” A good stone never needs urgency.
- Treatment not mentioned. The stone is “natural”, but nobody says it was heated, oiled, dyed or glass-filled.
- Look-alikes sold as the real thing. Polished glass, dyed quartz or a doublet in a neat box.
- No way to check. No certificate, or one from the seller’s own “lab”.
- Price confusion. Either too low to be true, or inflated with “astrologer-approved” markup.
- Size confusion. Ratti and carat used as if they mean the same thing.
02 — The PEHRO Standard
You shouldn’t need to be an expert to buy a real stone.
Everything above is how people get let down. Here is what we hold ourselves to, in plain words, so you can hold us to it.
Every gemstone in a PEHRO piece is a real stone. Not a look-alike, not a maybe.
We pick each stone for its story. If we can’t tell you a stone’s real story, it doesn’t become a PEHRO piece.
We share what a stone is traditionally believed to carry. We never dress folklore up as fact, or a stone up as a guarantee.
Want to know about a treatment before you buy? Message us and we’ll tell you.
A good stone never needs a deadline. You will never be told your luck depends on buying this week.
The three tests every stone must pass
- Is it a real stone? Not glass, not dyed quartz passed off as something rarer.
- Can we tell its true story? Where the name comes from, what traditions say about it, and what is simply beautiful.
- Can we say what it is believed to carry without promising anything? Belief is welcome. Guarantees are not.
If the answer to any of these is no, the stone does not become a PEHRO piece. That is the whole standard, and it is the same one we suggest you ask of any seller.
“I’m not selling you a piece of jewellery. I’m sharing a stone I believe in, and the story behind it.”
03 — Stones by Month
Your birthstone, month by month
The modern birthstone list most jewellers use, with traditional alternates. It is a gentle place to start, not a rulebook. Tap any month for its full guide.
Garnet
Deep red. Linked with devotion and steady energy.
Amethyst
Violet quartz. Linked with calm and a clear head.
Aquamarine
Sea-blue. Linked with courage and ease. Bloodstone is the traditional alternate.
Diamond
Clarity and strength. White sapphire is a lovely, more affordable alternate.
Emerald
Green beryl. Linked with growth, speech and renewal.
Pearl · Moonstone
Soft, glowing. Linked with the Moon, emotion and calm.
Ruby
Fiery red. Linked with the Sun, vitality and confidence.
Peridot · Spinel
Fresh olive-green or vivid red. Linked with warmth and renewal.
Sapphire
Blue (and many other colours). Linked with focus and discipline.
Opal · Tourmaline
Play-of-colour opal, or tourmaline in nearly any shade. Linked with creativity.
Citrine · Topaz
Golden warmth. Linked with optimism and abundance.
Turquoise · Tanzanite
Sky-blue or violet-blue. Linked with protection and calm.
Navratna: the nine stones of the planets
In Vedic tradition the stone is chosen by your birth chart, not your birth month. That is why your “astrology stone” and your birthstone can be different.
| Planet | Hindi name | Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | Manik | Ruby |
| Moon (Chandra) | Moti | Pearl |
| Mars (Mangal) | Moonga | Red coral |
| Mercury (Budh) | Panna | Emerald |
| Jupiter (Guru) | Pukhraj | Yellow sapphire |
| Venus (Shukra) | Heera | Diamond |
| Saturn (Shani) | Neelam | Blue sapphire |
| Rahu | Gomed | Hessonite garnet |
| Ketu | Lehsunia | Cat’s eye (chrysoberyl) |
Some stones in this system, especially blue sapphire, are traditionally approached with care. If you wear a stone for astrological reasons, take advice from an astrologer you already trust, and never from someone pressuring you to buy.
04 — Stones by Zodiac
Find your stone by zodiac sign
Two systems, side by side. Popular zodiac lists follow your Sun sign. Jyotish follows the planet that rules your rashi. Type your sign in the finder above for the full guide to any of them.
| Sign | Dates (approx.) | Ruled by | Vedic stone | Popular birthstones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries (Mesha) | 21 Mar – 19 Apr | Mars (Mangal) | Red coral (Moonga) | Diamond, bloodstone |
| Taurus (Vrishabha) | 20 Apr – 20 May | Venus (Shukra) | Diamond (Heera) | Emerald, rose quartz |
| Gemini (Mithuna) | 21 May – 20 Jun | Mercury (Budh) | Emerald (Panna) | Agate, citrine |
| Cancer (Karka) | 21 Jun – 22 Jul | Moon (Chandra) | Pearl (Moti) | Pearl, moonstone |
| Leo (Simha) | 23 Jul – 22 Aug | Sun (Surya) | Ruby (Manik) | Peridot, ruby |
| Virgo (Kanya) | 23 Aug – 22 Sep | Mercury (Budh) | Emerald (Panna) | Sapphire, carnelian |
| Libra (Tula) | 23 Sep – 22 Oct | Venus (Shukra) | Diamond (Heera) | Opal, sapphire |
| Scorpio (Vrishchika) | 23 Oct – 21 Nov | Mars (Mangal) | Red coral (Moonga) | Topaz, garnet |
| Sagittarius (Dhanu) | 22 Nov – 21 Dec | Jupiter (Guru) | Yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) | Turquoise, tanzanite |
| Capricorn (Makara) | 22 Dec – 19 Jan | Saturn (Shani) | Blue sapphire (Neelam)* | Garnet, onyx |
| Aquarius (Kumbha) | 20 Jan – 18 Feb | Saturn (Shani) | Blue sapphire (Neelam)* | Amethyst, garnet |
| Pisces (Meena) | 19 Feb – 20 Mar | Jupiter (Guru) | Yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) | Aquamarine, amethyst |
05 — Stone Energy
How stone energy is said to work
We believe in telling you both halves of this honestly.
What traditions say
In Jyotish, each stone is tied to a planet, and wearing it is believed to support what that planet represents. In crystal traditions, a stone’s colour and character are said to steady a mood or intention. In India, many stones are also seen as sacred in themselves, like the Shivling or Shaligram.
What science says
There is no scientific evidence that gemstones change health, luck or finances. What is real: a meaningful object worn daily can make you feel calmer, more intentional and more like yourself.
Our approach: we share what a stone is traditionally believed to carry, and we label it as belief, never as a guarantee. A gemstone is not a replacement for medical care or for good decisions.
06 — Treated vs Untreated
Treated does not mean fake. Undisclosed does.
Most coloured gemstones on the market have been enhanced in some way. That is normal. What matters is whether you were told, and whether the treatment is stable.
| Treatment | Commonly on | Is it acceptable? |
|---|---|---|
| Heat: improves colour and clarity | Ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, aquamarine, citrine | Widely accepted and stable, if disclosed |
| Oiling / resin: fills fine surface cracks | Emerald | Traditional and accepted if disclosed. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners |
| Irradiation: deepens colour | Blue topaz and others | Common (most blue topaz is treated). Fine if disclosed |
| Stabilising: hardens soft stone | Turquoise | Common and fine if disclosed |
| Dyeing: adds colour | Coral, turquoise, jade, quartz, howlite | Not fine if sold as “natural colour” |
| Glass filling / diffusion: heavy alteration | Low-grade ruby and sapphire | A serious problem. Unstable and a fraction of the value |
The word “natural” on its own tells you very little: a heated, oiled or filled stone can still be called natural. “Untreated” is the claim that needs proof, usually a lab report.
07 — The Real Thing
Real, lab-grown, imitation: know which you’re holding
A good-looking, well-polished stone is not proof of anything. Glass can be cut beautifully too.
| Type | What it is | Real gemstone? |
|---|---|---|
| Natural, untreated | Formed in the earth, nothing added | Yes: the rarest and most expensive |
| Natural, treated | Formed in the earth, then enhanced (heat, oil…) | Yes, if the treatment is disclosed and stable |
| Lab-grown (synthetic) | Same chemistry as the natural stone, grown in a lab | Real material, not natural. Honest only if sold as lab-grown, at a lower price |
| Imitation / composite | Glass, cubic zirconia, dyed quartz, doublets, reconstituted pieces | No: only looks like the stone |
Common look-alikes in the Indian market
- Neelam (blue sapphire): often glass, dyed or heavily treated stones, or a different blue stone altogether.
- Pukhraj (yellow sapphire): frequently citrine or yellow topaz sold at sapphire prices.
- Panna (emerald): green glass, doublets, or a lower-grade green stone.
- Moonga (coral): dyed bamboo coral or plastic.
- Firoza (turquoise): dyed howlite or magnesite.
Why “real” stones are rarely at the extremes
A genuine natural stone has a real cost floor, so a price far below it usually means treatment, glass or an imitation. At the other end, some sellers add large markups for “astrological” positioning or brand names. A fair price sits in the middle and comes with a clear explanation of what you are buying.
08 — Buying Well
Seven questions to ask any gemstone seller
- Is the stone natural, lab-grown or imitation? Will you write it down?
- Is it treated? How, and is the treatment stable?
- Where does it come from, and what is the stone’s real story?
- Is there an independent lab report, and can I verify it?
- What is its weight in carats (not just ratti)?
- What is your return policy if it isn’t as described?
- Are you giving me time to decide, or creating urgency?
Choosing a stone for everyday wear
Hardness matters if you will wear it daily. Sapphire and ruby (9) are the toughest; topaz (8); quartz-family stones such as amethyst and citrine (7); garnet, tourmaline and emerald (around 7 to 8, but emerald is brittle). Opal, pearl, coral and turquoise are softer and love a gentler life: wear them last, remove them first.
Quick Answers
Gemstone questions, answered
Use the finder at the top, or open any question.
What is my birthstone by month?
Which gemstone is right for my zodiac sign?
Is my birthstone the same as my astrology (Vedic) stone?
Does a gemstone really have energy?
Can a gemstone change my luck?
What is the difference between treated and untreated gemstones?
Is a treated gemstone fake?
Is heat treatment bad?
How do I know if a gemstone is real?
Can I test a gemstone at home?
Is a lab-grown gemstone fake?
What is the difference between natural, synthetic and imitation?
Why do some websites sell “real” gemstones so cheap?
Why are some gemstones sold at very high prices?
What is a gemstone certificate, and do I need one?
What is a ratti, and how does it compare to a carat?
What is a glass-filled ruby?
Is emerald oiling normal?
What are the English names of Manik, Moti, Moonga, Panna, Pukhraj, Heera, Neelam, Gomed and Lehsunia?
Can I wear a gemstone without asking an astrologer?
Which gemstone is best for daily wear?
How do I clean gemstone jewellery?
Can gemstones fade or change colour?
Are the gemstones in PEHRO jewellery real?
Can’t find your answer? Message us on WhatsApp or contact us.
