Does wearing your birthstone help you spiritually?

Myth-busting truths you need to know about semi-precious birthstones

If you key in “what’s my zodiac birthstone” on Google, you will get a host of search results that tell you how wearing topaz can provide strength and intelligence to a Scorpion, or that agate can help find Geminis balance and stability. Whatever your zodiac sign may be, there’s a birthstone that is thought to bring some positivity and purification in your life, if you wear them. But does wearing precious stones as jewellery actually help your energy and aura in any way? We asked the experts to give us the absolute truth about the purpose and effects of wearing birthstones.

The business of birthstones

The concept of birthstones and astrology dates back to Biblical times. In the West, it is said that Josephus, the first-century historian, believed there was a connection between the 12 stones in Aaron’s breastplate (tribes of Israel, as mentioned in the book of Exodus), that signified the 12 months of the year and the 12 signs of the zodiac. In Hinduism, though, there are nine gemstones–or the Navratnas–that are calculated as per the astrological charts where certain stones are recommended to ward off evil or negative energy. Most of us know that elder relative in the family whose finger is adorned by a giant semi-precious stone, recommended for luck and fortune by their astrologer. It’s safe to say that Indians are heavily influenced by astrology, as Suraj Popley, founder of Popley Eternal points out. “Two to three per cent of our monthly sales consist of birthstone-based jewellery,” he says. “We create rings and pendants with birthstones in them, although most of the time it's usually rings because birthstones are always worn as a ring. However, if our clients request for a pendant, we customise it in a birthstone of their choice,” he adds.

Several new-age and non-traditional jewellery brands have put their own contemporary spin on this, making precious stones more accessible by incorporating them into simple and minimal designs that can be worn on a daily basis. New Delhi-based jewellery label Hannan provides dainty bracelets and earrings in garnet stones like amethyst and quartz. Arushi Parakh’s label Melt also offers minimally styled sapphire necklaces and turquoise rings that can be stacked up. STAC Fine Jewellery is yet another label whose range comprises topaz charm pendants to tanzanite necklaces. “Our whole goal at STAC is to make daily-wear jewellery that works with your everyday ensemble,” says Rashi Sanghvi and Aakriti Sethi, the founders of STAC, who believe that birthstones have a bad reputation of having traditional designs that don't complement most outfits. “As with most designs, our first test is to check whether or not the design is ideal for daily wear; it is the marker we used for our birthstone collection as well. An additional pointer we do consider is to make sure that the stones touch the wearers’ skin,” says the duo. While wearing your birthstone as jewellery may appear cool to some–and turn out to be expensive at times–the bigger question is whether it is worth the money.

Busting the myth

As fantastical as it may sound, does wearing your birthstone actually hold any significance? Zorian Cross, an astrologer and a psychic yogi, busts some myths. “There's some misconception about birthstones. If you look up the Internet, you'll find conflicting information, stating that this particular stone is good for this zodiac sign or that semi-precious stone is good for another sign. But most people acquire gemstone remedies from an astrologer to get rid of bad karma. For example, if there’s a heavy planet in your charts that’s not giving you good results, you wear a stone to neutralise its effect. But in my decades of experience as an astrologer, none of that works. Imagine a planet being this giant deity in your life, a divine force of sorts. How would wearing a stone ring appease that deity?” Cross admits.

His reasoning makes sense as he further explains that the concept of wearing stones as jewellery started off because people didn’t actively want to work on their karma. “Wearing these gemstones is as good as bribing the gods and the planets. If you buy a ring from a jewellery store, then that stone is dead as it has gone through so many processes to look polished, which takes the life and essence away from it,” he says. The only exception to this rule is sapphire. “Sapphire is a crystal stone which has immense power and energy. It can also give you a headache if it doesn’t suit you,” Cross explains.

Zohra Shakti, aka the Woodstock Witch, a New Delhi-based astrologer and a tarot reader, also believes that there is a misconception around birthstones, especially in India. “There needs to be more awareness. Each of these stones are associated with the energy of the planets. The job of a crystal is to amplify their energy, so if that particular energy is missing from your aura or your life, then the stone can provide that energy for you. But if you’re unwilling to do the work—the action-based work that is prescribed by your astrologer—and believe that just wearing a stone will give an instant ‘remedy,’ then it might not work for you,” she explains.

Birthstones versus crystals

While the purpose of wearing birthstones as jewellery might be a controversial topic, both Cross and Shakti are more inclined to believe in the power of crystals. A crystal is a pure solid substance whose molecules bond in a uniform geometric (crystalline) pattern, with its surface reflecting the inner symmetrically aligned planes.

Working with crystals, however, also requires a deep understanding of its powers. “When you work with crystals, you need to realise that they don't just work by putting them on your body or your chakra points. You need to actually know how to work with a crystal, how to charge a crystal, what it is actually used for,” says Cross, who doesn’t recommend going to a crystal shop and picking one up based on how pretty it looks. “Crystals can balance your inner energy flow and can help in harmonising your systems. In some cases, they can help detoxify lymphatic systems and even purify blood,” he adds. But in order to access the energy of the crystal, Shakti has a fairly simple solution: talk to your crystal. “How I would prescribe a crystal is to charge it by pouring your intention into it, meditating with it, and then leave it by your bedside table. It’s a two-way street when it comes to harnessing its energy into your life,” she explains. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, if you’re into astrology or curious about crystals, we suggest you get expert guidance before indulging in something merely based on online searches.

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