Reference
Glossary
Simple, precise meanings for the gemstone and rudraksha terms used across our blog — all in one place.
- Mohs Hardness Scale
- A 1-to-10 scale measuring a gemstone or mineral's resistance to scratching — talc sits at 1, diamond at 10. A higher score means better scratch resistance, not necessarily better resistance to chipping or cracking.
- Carat
- The international unit of gemstone weight — 1 carat equals 200 milligrams. Astrological gemstones in India are also commonly weighed in ratti.
- Ratti
- A traditional weight unit used in the Indian astrological gemstone trade — approximately 1 ratti = 0.91 carat (the exact conversion can vary slightly by seller, so it's worth confirming both units before buying).
- Clarity
- How visible a gemstone's internal inclusions are — alongside colour and carat weight, one of the biggest factors in determining price.
- Treatment
- Any process applied to a gemstone to improve colour or clarity — heat treatment, oiling, or lac-filling, for example. Any legitimate certificate should clearly disclose treatment, not hide it.
- Certification Report
- A document issued by a recognized gemological lab certifying a gemstone's identity, weight, colour, clarity, and treatment — always ask for a genuine certificate before buying.
- IGI
- The International Gemological Institute — a major international lab known for certifying both diamonds and coloured gemstones, with branches in India as well.
- GIA
- The Gemological Institute of America — the most widely recognized certifying body for diamonds, known especially for strict colour and clarity grading.
- GRS
- GemResearch Swisslab — an international lab particularly trusted for determining the geographic origin of coloured gemstones like ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
- GTL
- The Gem Testing Laboratory — an established, government-recognized gemological lab operating in India since 1972, widely accepted in the domestic market.
- Inclusion
- A natural internal characteristic inside a gemstone — like emerald's "jardin" or sapphire's "silk" — often a sign the stone is genuinely natural, not necessarily a flaw.
- Origin
- The geographic region a gemstone was mined in — Burma or Mozambique for ruby, Sri Lanka or Kashmir for sapphire, for example. Price for the same quality stone can vary significantly by origin.
- Mukhi
- The number of naturally-occurring vertical lines (faces) on a rudraksha bead — this is what determines whether it's a 1 mukhi or a 21 mukhi, and which deity and planet it's traditionally associated with.
- Rashi (Zodiac Sign)
- One of the 12 zodiac signs used in Vedic astrology, based on a person's birth chart — traditional belief holds that a person's rashi is one factor in choosing a suitable gemstone for them.
- Graha (Planet)
- One of the nine celestial bodies (navagraha) in Vedic astrology — each traditional gemstone or rudraksha is associated with one of these, as a matter of traditional belief, not scientific fact.
- Mantra
- A traditional chant recited while wearing a gemstone or rudraksha — followed as a matter of religious/cultural tradition; observing it is a matter of personal belief.
- Sade Sati
- A roughly seven-and-a-half-year period in Vedic astrology governed by the planet Saturn — traditionally considered a challenging phase for which astrological remedies are commonly suggested.
- Panchdhatu
- A traditional alloy of five metals (typically gold, silver, copper, brass, and iron/zinc) used for gemstone rings or rudraksha jewellery settings.
- Synthetic / Lab-Grown
- A gemstone grown through a human-made laboratory process, which can share the same chemical composition as its natural counterpart — but is not considered an equivalent substitute in traditional astrological practice.