Raktambar Neelam - An irresponsible advice and information about one of the most dangerous gemstones of the world-The Khooni Neelam or the Rakthmukhi Neelam-The Blue Sapphire capable of causing death!

A couple of weeks back the Gemstoneuniverse team received an e mail that reads :

My *** has been suffering heavy loss in business for past 7 years. Almost from riches to rags! We have approached an expert astrologer and he suggested my father to wear raktambar neelam. We are from *****.We have searched almost 20 shops but we could not get the raktambar neelam, Astrologer says it's reddish sapphire. We found finally naturally purple sapphire available in above 6 ratti. My question is raktambar Neelam available? If at all, where? Is it suggestible to substitute purple sapphire for raktambar Neelam as it has reddish glow in sapphire? Please advice as soon as possible!

(Note: Areas blanked out to protect privacy.)

At the very outset I would like to state that there is nothing known in this world as Raktambar Neelam - neither in the Shastras - sacred texts, nor in the normal and ethical gem trade. It seems that this term has been coined to take individuals for a solid ride or maybe this is a case wherein the consultant is plain misinformed and in all likelihood, the person making this recommendation is no expert.

The word Raktambar it is a composite of two words: Rakt (meaning Blood) and Ambar( meaning sky). Hence Raktambar in context of the stone would translate into a Gemstone having a Blood Red Shade. Raktambar Neelam would translate into a Blue Sapphire having a Blood Red Color. Kindly note that the word Neelam is used to characterize the Blue of a Blue Sapphire. Fancy term this "Rakthambar".

Now from a Gemologists viewpoint there are Red Sapphires and Pink Sapphires in this world but they are NOT Blue Sapphires/ Neelam.

Natural Pink Sapphire of 2.38 carats

"Once in a while Ruby is defined as corundum that's colored mainly by Chromium, a metallic element incorporated into the mineral as an impurity. Dr. Horst Krupp, a mineralologist and dealer, says he determines if a stone is a ruby with the aid if a spectroscope, an instrument which measures how the stone absorbs light. If a reddish corundum stone shows lines in the spectroscope indicating the color is clearly coming from the presence of chromium, then he calls it a ruby; otherwise he calls it a red sapphire. He was taught to define rubies this way at the University of Heidelberg in Germany."

Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald buying guide by Renee Newman GG, MA

It would be sensible to stop wasting precious time searching for this elusive Raktambar Neelam and after reading this you definitely may want to reconsider your choice of consultant!

So what actually is a Khooni Neelam/ Rakthmukhi Neelam or Rakthmukhi Neela:

It is one of the most dangerous gemstones in this world. Yes, there are others that are even more dangerous but this makes it to the group of death or more aptly cursed Gemstones of the world.

A Khooni Neelam literally means a Neelam/Blue Sapphire capable of causing bloodshed. Khooni means murderous. A Khooni Neelam is a Blue Sapphire that has Red colored feather like inclusions, or red colored, dot like inclusions or has a Bluish Red Shade. This Blue Sapphire is supposed to give rapid gains to the individual including tremendous inflow of wealth, name and success and it is promoted like that. There are individuals who at the time of desperation find these fancy hooks terribly attractive.

It is called Khooni Neelam because it will give death - that is certain. To some people whom it suits, there may be temporary gains that may give the illusion that you are travelling at the speed of light but the ultimate result is Death. I have personally known two cases where this has happened. In one case it happened instantly - Within one day of wearing and in another case after 5 years of wearing.

The whole family was wiped out in an accident. So whatever reason somebody tells you, Saturn Mars's conjunction or Saturn Rahu conjunction - Never ever use this gemstone that is Khooni Neelam. Never put your life at risk and the lives of your loved ones at risk.

In this business called life you will have profits and losses but till you are alive, the almighty shall give you the resources, intelligence and talent to tide over a time frame that may appear unfortunate but never ever try a Khooni Neelam. And the individual, who is advises you to try it- is not your friend.

One of the famous Cursed Gemstones of the World is the Delhi Purple Sapphire.

Heron Allen cursed amethyst - The Delhi Purple Sapphire

Called as the Delhi purple sapphire this one is actually an Amethyst better known as the Heron-Allen amethyst, that was looted during the Indian mutiny in 1855 and brought to Britain. Everyone who owned the amethyst since that time suffered disaster and misfortune. According to Edward Heron-Allen, a scientist, friend of Oscar Wilde and the amethyst's last owner., owner of the stone from 1890, it was 'cursed and stained with blood'. After discovering its sinister history he gave it to his bank with instructions for it not to be opened until three years after his death.

Heron-Allen claimed to have been so disturbed that he had surrounded the amethyst with supposedly protective charms and sealed it inside seven boxes before leaving it to the museum in his will. His letter concluded: "Whoever shall then open it, shall first read out this warning, and then do as he pleases with the jewel. My advice to him or her is to cast it into the sea".

This is also my advice should you come across the Khooni Neelam.

A small prayer for you, which you should also recite for yourself, your loved ones and the whole universe.

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah = may all be happy
Sarve santu niramayah = may all be free from disease
Sarve bhadrani pashyantu = may all see good and auspicious in everything.
Ma kaschit duhkha bhaag bhaveet = may none be unhappy or in distress
Om shantih, shantih, shantih = Om peace, peace, peace!

With Blessings and Prayers,

I remain

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.