Help! My Astrologer says that my Emerald has become white because it has prevented big accident yoga and the Jeweller says that the Emerald has soaked up all my negativity - The Gemstone Pyramid and the truth about Indian Taste Ka Ghatiya Maal - Things we don't like and you shouldn't either.

BUYER BEWARE! - Scam Alert!

In our day to day practice we meet several individuals, who make statements similar to the one above. An interesting case happened last week wherein one customer said that that his Emerald has become white after one year of usage. When he reported it to his Astrologer the latter said that the Gem has prevented big accident yoga and made you safe. He next went to the Jeweller who had been recommended by his Astrologer. The Jeweller said that this was nothing new for him and he has seen several cases where a good gemstone had soaked up all negativity from the body!

Well, it is an outright scam and this particular nexus of the Astrologer and the Jeweller is at best an UNHOLY ALLIANCE. Time to change both!

Let us begin with telling you about the global perception. A shocking and demeaning statement was made by a Gemstone intermediary in Bangkok that opened our eyes. Now, this gentleman has been trading and acting like an intermediary (taking Gemstone parcels) from one office to another and has no gemological knowledge. Nada. None, except that he takes a parcel from one dealer at $X and sells to another at $X+10%. At an International Gem and Jewellery show he approached one of the team members and said that he had top quality Emeralds.

Well, the next logical step was to ask him to show his goods. The parcel he opened was of a non gem grade beryl rough heavily treated with Joban-Color dyed oil (more about this later). Showing them and with a big grin says: "Only $1(INR 45) per carat emerald for 1000 carats, Top Quality Indian Taste Ka Ghatiya Maal" (Literally translated: specific material for Indian Taste consumer/ jeweller who seeks out the cheapest low non gem grade material, and this stuff ranks highest in that category).

Our response made him disappear in less than 30 seconds but the revelation about the Indian consumers taste spoilt our entire day.

A Glorious Past

This is the country that has given the world most prized gemstones in the world and Indians have had taste for the best gemstones throughout the ages. There was a time when in India Diamonds below the weight of 3 carats were not even valued and traded for they had no time. They were occupied in grading and trading of Diamonds above 3 carats! - this is a historical fact. Do read Tavernier's travels in India and you will know about the glorious Gem culture of this great country.

Reality Dawns

The above low- cost non-gem grade material is bought by unethical jewellers at $5( INR 225) per carat and then retailed to consumers who have been recommended to wear a 5 carat emerald by the Astrologer at a price point of $22-$44 per carat( INR 1000-INR 2000) per carat. No wonder people are seen wearing a 5 carat Emerald for a net price of $110/-. Removal of accident and negativity is of course free! The mathematics of sourcing gems at cost $1 and selling at a price of $ 44 – Whoa! this is too cool a business!

Industry statistics reveal that India is the largest market for non- gem grade, low-grade gem material and most of the scrap is imported into India. Please see the Gemstone pyramid (Highlighted area makes up the majority of Indian market). Most of the discarded goods reach India.

The Gemstone Pyramid - Gemstoneuniverse.com

Jyotish quality Gemstones would be top grade or high grade, not lesser.

How the Emerald/Yellow Sapphire becomes white.

Non Gem Grade Beryl - Bogus Emerald treated with Joban Oil

Non Gem Grade Beryl sold as Natural emerald and became white after a use of an Year

The stone in the picture above is not a gemstone. It is Non-Gem Grade beryl that has been treated with Joban. Joban is green colored oil - Oil that has been made green by adding a plant based dye. This is the most common treatment of choice in commercial grade goods coming from India and sold in India.

Leave alone Jyotish even in the Gem Trade it is considered as an UNETHICAL treatment. The green oil seeps into the white non gem grade ore to make it look like a beautiful Emerald. Eventually with normal usage the oil dissipates leaving what the mineral actually is. When the consumer is perplexed by the change in the stone, he is taken for another ride by the Astrologer who hands him out a candy by saying the color evaporated and has saved you from a major accident and by the jeweller who says that it has absorbed all negativity and that's why it has become white. Producers of these goods justify Joban Treatment by saying; It is just like the make-up your wife puts on. (A demeaning statement that could spell trouble eitherway!)

Any reputed Gem Lab will identify this treatment and make an entry in the report as Code: T-Joban

Outright Fraud!

Low Grade Yellow Sapphire color enhanced by Dyeing and Irradiation with Cobalt60

Low grade Yellow Sapphire that became white in 3 months

Again, the above is a stone- but not a gemstone. It is a low grade yellow sapphire from Sri Lanka that combines two treatments. One is dyeing with material that has got the same Refractive Index as the mineral and second by irradiation with Cobalt 60. Just exposure to strong sunlight will make the color leave the gemstone leaving what you are seeing-Scrap!

Yes, there are Gemstones that are sensitive to light (Light Sensitive Gemstones) such as one member of the Quartz Family-Amethyst. A natural Amethyst may show fading of color when exposed to strong Sunlight but the above two samples are outright frauds.

India - The sacred Land of the Navaratnas!

India is the land that has given this world the sacred and powerful science of Navaratnas and their profound impact on Human life. Yes there are miracle cases where a Blue Sapphire becomes cracked by preventing a real time accident and saving a life but none of the sacred Navaratnas/ sacred nine gemstones - Ruby, Natural Pearl, Red Coral, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond/ White Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite and Cat's Eye change color or become white if they are natural, untreated and Jyotish Quality!

Never ever wear a poor quality Gemstone. The Sacred Garuda Purana says:

If an individual wears a Gemstone that has many flaws even out of ignorance then he will be tormented by grief, loss of wealth, anxiety, illness and evils of many Kinds.
- Garuda Purana (70.9)

Next time if somebody tells you that your Emerald has become white because it has prevented a big accident yoga and the Jeweller says that the Emerald has soaked up all the negativity - YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

Issued in public interest and in Service of sacred Planetary Gemology!

Guruji Shrii Arnav

Guruji Shrii Arnav - Vedic Guru is also an internationally acclaimed planetary gemmologist. An Accredited Jewelry Professional from the Gemmological Institute of America at present he is the chief mentor of www.astromandir.com and www.gemstoneuniverse.com besides being the Dharmadhikari of the Vara Siddhi Vinayaka Temple. He is also the chief Horoscope columnist of Deccan Herald - A leading Indian English daily.