Before there were horoscopes, there were astronomers. The people who built the Vedic sky-system were record-keepers first, tracking nine moving bodies across the heavens with remarkable precision. They called them the Navagraha · नवग्रह, the nine planets, and they believed each one governs a part of life, a sign, and a stone.
I am Nimisha. Four generations of my family worked as goldsmiths in India before I brought the craft to London. Every Rashi piece we make begins with a planet, because in Jyotish · ज्योतिष, Vedic astrology, the planet is what gives a sign its character and its stone. Understand the nine, and the whole system opens.
What is the Navagraha?
The Navagraha are the nine governing bodies of Vedic astrology: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, plus the two lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu. The word combines nava (nine) and graha (a body that seizes or influences). Seven of the nine rule the twelve signs, and together they form the framework behind jewellery chosen according to Vedic astrology.
Rahu and Ketu are not physical planets but calculated points where the Moon's path crosses the Sun's, the places where eclipses occur. The Vedic tradition counts them as grahas because of the strong influence it assigns to eclipses.
The nine planets and what they govern
Each graha has a domain of life and a traditional stone. Please note that these are cultural and symbolic associations from classical Jyotish, rather than medical claims or guarantees.
1. Surya · सूर्य (the Sun). Surya is the centre of the system, the source of light and the symbol of the self. In Jyotish it governs vitality, authority, willpower and the way a person shines in the world. It rules a single sign, Simha (Leo), which gives the Sun an undivided place in the framework. Its stone is the ruby (Manikya · माणिक्य), chosen for its deep red fire, the colour the tradition reads as confidence and presence.
2. Chandra · चंद्र (the Moon). Chandra governs the inner life: emotion, intuition, memory and the changing moods of the mind. Where the Sun is steady, the Moon waxes and wanes, and the tradition treats it as the most personal of the grahas. It rules Karka (Cancer) alone. Its stone is the pearl (Moti · मोती), drawn from water and prized for a soft, calming light that mirrors the Moon's own.
3. Mangala · मंगल (Mars). Mangala is the planet of energy, courage, drive and action. It holds the heat that pushes a person to begin, to compete and to protect. It rules two signs, Mesha (Aries) and Vrischika (Scorpio), one outward and one intense. Its stone is red coral (Moonga · मूंगा), valued in the tradition for its strong, living colour and its link to resolve.
4. Budha · बुध (Mercury). Budha governs intellect, speech, learning and clear thinking. It is the planet of the mind at work, through analysis, communication and quick understanding. It rules Mithuna (Gemini) and Kanya (Virgo), both signs the tradition associates with discernment. Its stone is the emerald (Panna · पन्ना), whose clarity stands for a clear and articulate mind.
5. Brihaspati · बृहस्पति (Jupiter). Brihaspati is the great benefic of Vedic astrology, the teacher among the planets. It governs wisdom, growth, fortune, generosity and faith. It rules Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Meena (Pisces), signs linked to expansion and meaning. Its stone is yellow sapphire (Pukhraj · पुखराज), associated with prosperity and good counsel.
6. Shukra · शुक्र (Venus). Shukra governs love, beauty, art, comfort and refinement. It is the planet of pleasure and of everything well-made and harmonious. It rules Vrishabha (Taurus) and Tula (Libra), both signs the tradition reads through beauty and balance. Its stone is the diamond (Heera · हीरा), the most refined of gems, and at Nimmisha a lab-grown diamond with the same chemistry and symbolism as a mined stone.
7. Shani · शनि (Saturn). Shani is the planet of discipline, structure, patience and time. The tradition treats it as a strict but fair teacher, rewarding effort and endurance. It rules Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius), signs associated with focus and the long view. Its stone is blue sapphire (Neelam · नीलम), linked to discipline and protection.
8. Rahu · राहु (the north lunar node). Rahu is not a physical planet but a calculated point where the Moon's path crosses the Sun's. It governs ambition, worldly desire, the unexpected and the unconventional. It rules no sign directly, yet its placement is read as a powerful force in any chart. Its stone is hessonite garnet (Gomed · गोमेद).
9. Ketu · केतु (the south lunar node). Ketu is the opposite point to Rahu, the second of the eclipse nodes. It governs detachment, intuition, insight and the spiritual side of life. Like Rahu it rules no sign, but the tradition gives it strong influence over a chart's inner direction. Its stone is chrysoberyl cat's eye (Lehsunia · लहसुनिया).
How the planets govern the signs
The logic of jewellery according to Vedic astrology runs in a straight line: planet to sign to stone. Your Rashi · राशि is ruled by one planet. That planet has one stone. Wearing the stone is a way of staying close to the planet's qualities.
Some planets rule two signs, which is why, for example, both Aries and Scorpio share red coral under Mars, and both Taurus and Libra share diamond under Venus. The Sun and Moon each rule a single sign, Leo and Cancer, which gives ruby and pearl a special, undivided place in the system.
This is also the structure behind the Navaratna, the nine-gem ornament that sets all nine planetary stones together. Where the Navaratna holds the whole sky at once, a single Rashi piece holds the one planet that rules you.
From planet to piece
Once you know your ruling planet, the choice of jewellery becomes specific. Find your planet with our Vedic Rashi calculator, which returns your Rashi, its ruling graha and its stone.
From there, the Rashi pendant collection sets each planet's stone in 18K gold vermeil over 925 sterling silver, from £79 to £389. Drawn to the Moon's calm? The pearl pieces belong to Chandra. Ruled by Venus? A lab-grown diamond piece holds Shukra's refinement, with the same chemistry and symbolism as a mined stone.
Each planet gives one clear reason to choose its stone, which is what makes a Rashi piece simple to buy for yourself and simple to gift to someone whose sign you know.
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